Controls Engineer

Actalent; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent in Saint Paul, MN seeks a Controls Engineer to design and implement cost-effective control systems for custom machinery. You will perform hardware design, PLC/HMI programming, safety analysis, and create technical documentation while collaborating with project teams and shop personnel.

The role includes 10–20% travel for installation, commissioning, and training, with a focus on achieving high performance and reliability of automated equipment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or an equivalent credential with relevant experience.
• Extensive PLC programming experience on diverse platforms.
• Hands-on Rockwell Automation/Allen-Bradley PLCs experience.
• Proficient PLC/HMI programming for Allen‑Bradley platforms.
• Familiarity with IEC 61131‑3 languages (Ladder, Structured Text, etc.).
• Experience with servo-based motion control and electrical design.

Responsibilities

• Develop cost-effective control systems for custom machinery, including hardware design, PLC/HMI programming, safety analysis, and documentation.
• Identify technical challenges early and craft practical solutions.
• Coordinate with shop personnel during electrical assembly for accurate build-out.
• Participate in control system debugging, troubleshooting, and refinement.
• Support on-site installation and commissioning at customer facilities.
• Provide customer training on operation, safety, and maintenance.
• Collaborate with project managers and engineers across cross-functional teams.
• Stay current with automation technologies and industry standards.

Skills

PLC programming

Allen‑Bradley PLCs

HMI programming

Servo motion control

Electrical design

Industrial networking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Two-year post-high school credential + 5+ years experience

Tools

Rockwell Automation

Job description

Job Title: Controls Engineer

This role focuses on designing and implementing cost-effective control systems for custom automated machinery, including hardware design, PLC/HMI programming, safety analysis, and technical documentation. The Controls Engineer collaborates closely with project teams and shop personnel to support electrical assembly, system debug, on-site installation, and customer training. The position also contributes to continuous improvement by adopting new technologies, supporting engineering standards, and sharing lessons learned across projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop cost-effective control systems for custom machinery, including hardware design, PLC/HMI programming, safety analysis, and preparation of technical documentation.
• Identify technical challenges early in the project and develop creative, practical solutions by leveraging available knowledge, tools, and resources.
• Coordinate closely with shop personnel during the electrical assembly of control systems and machines to ensure accurate and efficient build-out.
• Participate in control system debug activities, including troubleshooting and refining hardware and software to achieve reliable, high-performance operation.
• Support on-site installation of control systems at customer facilities and ensure successful commissioning of automated equipment.
• Provide customer training on system operation, safety, and maintenance to help users operate equipment confidently and effectively.
• Work proactively with minimal supervision to deliver projects on time and within budget while maintaining high quality standards.
• Motivate yourself and others in a positive, professional manner to foster a productive and collaborative project environment.
• Collaborate effectively with project managers, engineers, and assembly personnel as part of a cross-functional project team.
• Communicate project status clearly, including risks and potential obstacles, to ensure stakeholders remain informed and aligned.
• Stay current with automation technology, engineering methods, and industry standards to continually enhance system performance and reliability.
• Actively participate in process improvement by adhering to engineering standards, engaging in procedural audits, and contributing to project design reviews.
• Support the implementation of new engineering methods and technologies into ongoing and future projects.
• Contribute to the professional development of yourself and colleagues by constructively sharing lessons learned from project successes and failures.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering and a minimum of two years of relevant experience, or a related two-year post–high school diploma/certificate and a minimum of five years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Extensive experience with Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) programming on a variety of platforms.
• Hands‑on experience with Rockwell Automation families of programmable controllers, including Allen‑Bradley PLCs.
• Proficiency in PLC/HMI programming for Allen‑Bradley platforms.
• Familiarity with multiple IEC 61131‑3 programming languages, including Ladder Logic, Function Block Diagram, Structured Text, Sequential Function Chart, and Instruction List.
• Experience configuring, tuning, and programming servo‑based motion control systems.
• Experience in electrical design and control panel layout for automated equipment.
• Experience preparing engineering documentation such as Electrical Schematics, Bills of Material, Process & Instrumentation Diagrams, and Operator and Maintenance Manuals.
• Basic understanding of computer networking concepts, including TCP/IP.
• Basic understanding of industrial fieldbus architectures such as Ethernet/IP.
• Practical experience in controls engineering for automated equipment, including motion control, servo motors, robotics, and related electrical systems.

Work Environment

This is an onsite role based in a modern facility that features new technology and equipment, providing an environment well‑suited for advanced automation and controls engineering. The position involves approximately 10–20% travel to customer sites for system installation, commissioning, and training. Work is primarily performed in an engineering and manufacturing setting, collaborating closely with shop personnel and project teams around automated equipment and control systems.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Saint Paul, MN.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $130000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

At Ascential Technologies, we understand the importance of a well‑rounded benefits program and are dedicated to providing you with unique benefits that meet the needs of you and your family. We are proud to offer a range of plans that help protect you in the case of illness or injury. This Benefits Guide is a comprehensive tool to help you become familiar with the plans and programs that you and your family can enroll in for the plan year.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Saint Paul, MN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 23, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News‑Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team.