Controls Engineer

Actalent; Sterling (VA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Life insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Controls Systems Engineer to design, develop and deploy building automation and environmental control systems for data center environments. The role combines software and hardware responsibilities, including system architecture, programming, commissioning, and integration of DDc/PLC/DCS platforms.

Based in Sterling, VA, this contract-to-hire position is onsite, with travel to customer sites for commissioning and startup.

Qualifications

• Technical degree in Engineering or Computer Science.
• Experience with industrial controls platforms (Rockwell, Schneider, AVEVA, Inductive Automation).
• Ability to design and program DDC, PLC, or DCS control algorithms.
• Experience configuring or developing HMI screens.
• Ability to read P&ID diagrams.
• Knowledge of HVAC sequences and building automation concepts.
• Familiarity with data collection and historians (e.g., SQL Server).
• Willingness to travel to customer sites for commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop building automation and environmental control systems for data centers.
• Architect custom control solutions based on project specs.
• Configure and develop HMI screens for monitoring and control.
• Program DDC/PLC/DCS control algorithms to meet performance needs.
• Travel to customer sites for onsite startup and commissioning.
• Install and configure system software and integrate with existing infrastructure.
• Perform loop checks, calibrations, and field programming updates.
• Review P&ID and prepare instrumentation lists and hardware selections.
• Draft submittals for instrumentation and control panels.

Skills

Electrical/CS background

Industrial controls

DDC/PLC/DCS programming

HMI development

P&ID reading

SQL Server familiarity

Onsite travel

Team collaboration

Education

Engineering degree or technical degree

Tools

Rockwell

Schneider

AVEVA

Inductive Automation

SQL Server

Job description

Job Title: Controls Systems Engineer

Job Description

The Controls Engineer designs, develops, and deploys building automation and environmental control systems within a data center environment. This role combines software and hardware responsibilities, including system architecture, programming, commissioning, and integration of industrial control platforms. The Controls Engineer works closely with project teams and customers to deliver reliable, scalable, and high-performance control solutions for large, impactful projects while contributing to a collaborative and growth-oriented team culture.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop building automation and environmental control systems for data center environments, ensuring reliable and efficient operation.
• Architect custom control solutions based on project requirements and technical specifications.
• Configure and develop user interfaces, including Human Machine Interface (HMI) screens, to provide intuitive system monitoring and control.
• Program Direct Digital Control (DDC), Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), or Distributed Control System (DCS) control algorithms to meet functional and performance requirements.
• Travel to customer sites to perform onsite system startup and commissioning activities.
• Install and configure system software at customer facilities, ensuring proper integration with existing infrastructure.
• Conduct loop checks, calibrations, and field programming modifications to verify and optimize system performance.
• Execute functional test plans to validate system operation and document results for project stakeholders.
• Review and interpret Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID) to compile instrumentation lists and ensure accurate hardware selection.
• Prepare and draft submittal documentation for instrumentation, control panels, and related hardware components.
• Provide technical guidance and support to control panel fabricators to ensure panels meet design and quality standards.
• Integrate manufacturing and facility equipment, sensors, control databases, and historians into cohesive control systems.
• Interface with control databases and historians, such as SQL Server, to support data collection, reporting, and system analytics.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful delivery of large, complex control projects.
• Contribute to a positive team culture by sharing knowledge, supporting colleagues, and participating in continuous improvement efforts.

Essential Skills

• Technical degree in Engineering (Electrical, Computer, or Systems) or Computer Science.
• Experience or familiarity with industrial controls platforms such as Rockwell, Schneider, AVEVA, or Inductive Automation.
• Ability to design and program Direct Digital Control (DDC), PLC, or DCS control algorithms.
• Experience configuring and developing Human Machine Interface (HMI) screens.
• Ability to read and interpret Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID).
• Knowledge of HVAC systems and sequences of operations.
• Familiarity with basic web development concepts as they relate to control and monitoring interfaces.
• Experience with system startup, commissioning, loop checks, and calibrations in an industrial or building automation setting.
• Ability to integrate equipment, sensors, control databases, and historians, including systems such as SQL Server.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail in both software and hardware design.
• Willingness and ability to travel to customer sites for onsite work and commissioning.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working with building management systems (BMS) and electrical power monitoring systems (EPMS).
• Exposure to data center environments or other mission-critical facilities.
• Experience providing technical guidance to control panel fabricators or vendors.
• Strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with customers, project teams, and field personnel.
• Interest in long‑term career growth within controls engineering and building automation.
• Motivation to work on large, impactful projects in a collaborative team culture.

Work Environment

This role is primarily onsite, working Monday through Friday at customer facilities and data center environments. The position involves regular use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure safety while working around industrial equipment and control panels. The work includes both office-based tasks, such as design and programming, and field-based activities, such as installation, startup, and commissioning. There are opportunities for overtime hours, particularly during commissioning phases or critical project milestones. The environment emphasizes teamwork, safety, and delivering high‑quality solutions on large, technically complex projects.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Sterling, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $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 job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject 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)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Sterling, VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 28, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Sterling,VA.

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