Controls Engineer

Randstad USA; Portland (CT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and Dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Job summary

Randstad USA is seeking a Controls Engineer to own the hardware side of high-speed automated packaging machinery. You will translate customer specs into complete electrical schematics, control panel layouts, and documentation using AutoCAD Electrical.

You will lead hardware engineering, specify components, ensure standards compliance, and provide hands-on support on the shop floor and in the field. Travel up to 20% across North America.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field (preferred).
• 3–5 years of electrical controls or automation engineering experience in industrial machinery or automated OEM equipment.
• Proficient in AutoCAD Electrical for control panel design, enclosure layout, wire sizing and wiring best practices.
• Strong expertise with Allen-Bradley PLCs, motion control systems, HMIs, servos, VFDs and 3-phase AC power (up to 480V).
• Familiarity with EtherNet/IP, AS-i, IO-Link and compliance standards (UL 508A, NFPA 79, NFPA 70E, NEC).
• Ability to manage a machine's controls lifecycle from specs to FAT and field startups.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and program electrical control systems for high-speed automated packaging machinery.
• Create and manage complete electrical schematic packages, enclosure layouts, terminal diagrams, and wiring schedules using AutoCAD Electrical.
• Select, size, and specify electrical hardware components, control panels, and power distribution architectures.
• Program, configure, and troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, servo motors, and motion control systems.
• Provide hands-on technical support and electrical troubleshooting during assembly, testing, commissioning, and field installation.
• Collaborate with Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, and Field Service teams.

Skills

Electrical schematics

Hardware engineering

PLC programming

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

Allen-Bradley PLCs

HMIs

VFDs

Servo motors

3-phase AC power systems

Job description

job summary:

We are seeking a Controls Engineer with strong expertise in electrical schematics and hardware engineering for high-speed automated packaging machinery. In this role, you will take full ownership of the physical controls side-translating customer functional specs into complete, build-ready electrical schematics, control panel layouts, and documentation packages using AutoCAD Electrical.

While you will support PLC programming and software commissioning, your core focus will be leading the hardware engineering, specifying physical components, ensuring standard compliance, and providing hands‑on technical support on the shop floor and in the field.

location: Pickering, Connecticut

job type: Permanent

salary: $90,000 - 110,000 per year

work hours: 8am to 4pm

education: Bachelors

responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and program electrical control systems for high-speed automated packaging machinery.
• Create, update, and manage complete electrical schematic packages, enclosure layouts, terminal block diagrams, and wiring schedules using AutoCAD Electrical.
• Select, size, and specify electrical hardware components, control panels, and power distribution architectures.
• Program, configure, and troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, servo motors, and motion control systems.
• Provide hands‑on technical support and electrical troubleshooting during machine assembly, testing, commissioning, and field installation.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, and Field Service teams.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related technical discipline preferred.
• 3-5 years of electrical controls or automation engineering experience within industrial machinery or automated OEM equipment.
• Proficient in AutoCAD Electrical for control panel design, enclosure layout, wire sizing, and wiring best practices.
• strong expertise in Allen-Bradley PLCs, motion control systems, HMIs, servos, VFDs, and 3-phase AC power systems (up to 480V).
• Familiarity with EtherNet/IP, AS-i, IO-Link, and compliance standards (UL 508A, NFPA 79, NFPA 70E, NEC).
• Ability to manage a machine's controls lifecycle from start to finish-translating customer specs into working electrical designs, writing clean code, leading Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), and supporting site startups.
• strong hands‑on hardware and electrical diagnostic skills on the assembly floor and in the field.

Travel:

Up to 20% throughout North America, with occasional international travel

Benefits & Compensation

• Medical and Dental coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• and more!

qualifications:

• Experience level: Experienced
• Minimum 3 years of experience
• Education: Bachelors (required)

Equal Opportunity Employer: Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other legally protected group status.

At Randstad, we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please contact [e-mail].

Pay offered to a successful candidate will be based on several factors including the candidate's education, work experience, work location, specific job duties, certifications, etc. In addition, Randstad offers a comprehensive benefits package, including: medical, prescription, dental, vision, AD&D, and life insurance offerings, short-term disability, and a 401K plan (all benefits are based on eligibility).

This posting is open for thirty (30) days.