Controls Engineer

Actalent, Inc.; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 54,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Short and long-term disability

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Time Off/Leave

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Controls Systems Engineer for a full-time, travel-based role based out of Salt Lake City, UT. You will execute automation commissioning and validation, troubleshoot non-conformances, and define PLC configurations while collaborating with internal engineers and client teams.

The position emphasizes on-site testing, HMI integration, and building automation initiatives across multiple project sites, with typical 3–6 month assignments and frequent travel.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree in mechanical, systems, automation, or electrical disciplines, or comparable practical experience in controls engineering.
• Experience with building automation systems and related controls technologies.
• Comfort working with both mechanical and electrical components in industrial environments.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a travel-based role and adjust quickly to new sites and teams.

Responsibilities

• Execute automation commissioning and validation protocols for control systems in process manufacturing environments.
• Troubleshoot and remediate commissioning and validation non-conformances to ensure systems operate reliably and meet performance requirements.
• Collaborate with internal engineers and client teams to design and deliver state-of-the-art control systems that improve efficiency, product quality, and profitability.
• Define and implement programmable logic controller (PLC) configurations tailored to specific project and process requirements.
• Perform testing, on-site commissioning, and qualification of control systems to verify proper functionality and compliance with specifications.
• Support building automation initiatives by configuring, programming, and integrating control components and related systems.
• Diagnose and resolve issues involving HMI interfaces, mechanical components, and electrical systems as they relate to controls performance.
• Adapt to different project sites and industries, quickly learning new processes and technologies to support successful implementation.
• Communicate clearly with project stakeholders, providing updates on commissioning progress, issues, and resolutions.
• Follow established procedures and safety protocols while working on-site, ensuring safe and efficient execution of all tasks.
• Hands‑on experience with control systems engineering, including automation commissioning and validation.
• Proficiency in defining and implementing PLC configurations for industrial and process manufacturing applications.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for commissioning and validation non‑conformances, including mechanical, electrical, and controls‑related issues.
• Experience with HMI systems, including configuration, operation, and basic programming or setup.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment with internal engineers and client representatives.

Skills

PLC configurations

HMI systems

Troubleshooting

On-site commissioning

Automation commissioning

Electrical components

Team collaboration

Safety protocols

Travel flexibility

Mechanical components

Education

Engineering degree in mechanical, systems, automation, or electrical disciplines

Tools

PLC programming

HMI configuration

Job description

The Controls Systems Engineer role is a full-time, travel-based position that moves from project to project, with typical assignments lasting 3 to 6 months at each location. In this role, you execute automation commissioning and validation protocols, troubleshoot and resolve non-conformances, and contribute to the delivery of state-of-the-art control systems that enhance efficiency, product quality, and profitability in process manufacturing environments. You work closely with internal engineering teams and clients to define and implement PLC configurations and perform testing, on-site commissioning, and qualification of control systems.

Responsibilities

• Execute automation commissioning and validation protocols for control systems in process manufacturing environments.
• Troubleshoot and remediate commissioning and validation non-conformances to ensure systems operate reliably and meet performance requirements.
• Collaborate with internal engineers and client teams to design and deliver state-of-the‑art control systems that improve efficiency, product quality, and profitability.
• Define and implement programmable logic controller (PLC) configurations tailored to specific project and process requirements.
• Perform testing, on-site commissioning, and qualification of control systems to verify proper functionality and compliance with specifications.
• Support building automation initiatives by configuring, programming, and integrating control components and related systems.
• Diagnose and resolve issues involving HMI interfaces, mechanical components, and electrical systems as they relate to controls performance.
• Adapt to different project sites and industries, quickly learning new processes and technologies to support successful implementation.
• Communicate clearly with project stakeholders, providing updates on commissioning progress, issues, and resolutions.
• Follow established procedures and safety protocols while working on-site, ensuring safe and efficient execution of all tasks.
• Hands‑on experience with control systems engineering, including automation commissioning and validation.
• Proficiency in defining and implementing PLC configurations for industrial and process manufacturing applications.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for commissioning and validation non‑conformances, including mechanical, electrical, and controls‑related issues.
• Experience with HMI systems, including configuration, operation, and basic programming or setup.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment with internal engineers and client representatives.
• Engineering background in mechanical, systems, automation, or electrical disciplines, or equivalent hands‑on experience.
• Willingness and ability to travel for extended project assignments, typically 3 to 6 months per location.
• Flexibility to work varying schedules and adapt to changing project demands.
• Enthusiasm for learning new technologies, processes, and industries.
• Strong problem‑solving abilities and attention to detail when validating and qualifying control systems.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Engineering degree in mechanical, systems, automation, or electrical disciplines, or comparable practical experience in controls engineering.
• Experience with building automation systems and related controls technologies.
• Comfort working with both mechanical and electrical components in industrial environments.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a travel‑based role and adjust quickly to new sites and teams.
• Adaptable and enthusiastic approach to continuous learning and professional development.
• Interest in leadership opportunities and growth within a controls engineering career path.

This position is fully on‑site at project locations. You work in a hands‑on environment that requires appropriate PPE gear and adherence to safety protocols. Typical schedules include either six 10‑hour days or five 10‑hour days per week, depending on project needs, and a flexible schedule is expected to accommodate commissioning activities. The role offers frequent travel, exposure to different industries, and the opportunity to work directly with advanced automation and control technologies. Team members benefit from hands‑on training, growth and leadership opportunities, and competitive per diem support while on assignment.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Salt Lake City, UT.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $39.00 - $50.00/hr.

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.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms.

If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long‑term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 20, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Salt Lake City,UT.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.

Contact Information Collection

We collect your phone number and email so that an Actalent representative can reach out to you regarding potential job opportunities. Please ensure that the phone number and email you provide are accurate, as an incorrect phone number or email may affect our ability to contact you.

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. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.