Controls Engineer

Actalent; Zeeland (MI); On-site; USD 62,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance (Voluntary)

Short/long-term disability

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

PTO / Vacation

Job summary

Actalent in Zeeland, MI seeks an experienced Controls Engineer to design, program, and launch automated manufacturing equipment with emphasis on custom machinery for high-volume production.

You will own controls architecture from concept through production, including PLC programming, HMI development, robotics integration, and commissioning. Work with mechanical, process, and manufacturing teams to deliver robust automation solutions for new lines.

Qualifications

• Experience designing, developing, and implementing controls systems for automated manufacturing equipment.
• Hands-on experience programming Allen-Bradley PLCs from scratch using Studio 5000 / RSLogix.
• Strong background in developing and troubleshooting HMI applications, preferably using FactoryTalk View.
• Experience integrating and programming industrial robotics systems, including ABB and/or FANUC robots.
• Proficiency in electrical schematic design using Solidworks Electrical and familiarity with EPLAN or similar tools.
• Demonstrated expertise in motion control, including servo drives, HMIs, and robotics.
• Ability to configure and tune servo drives and motion control systems for automated machinery.
• Strong troubleshooting skills in automation, electrical systems, and control logic.
• Ability to develop machine sequences, control logic, and process automation strategies.
• Experience supporting equipment startup, commissioning, debugging, and optimization in a production environment.
• Strong documentation skills for creating and maintaining control narratives, electrical drawings, and software backups.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement controls systems for custom manufacturing equipment.
• Program Allen-Bradley PLCs from scratch using Studio 5000 / RSLogix to support new and existing equipment.
• Develop, configure, and troubleshoot HMI applications using FactoryTalk View.
• Integrate and program ABB and FANUC robots to support automated processes.
• Design and develop machine control architecture, including safety systems and communication networks.
• Perform electrical schematic design and documentation using Solidworks Electrical, EPLAN, or similar tools.
• Configure and tune servo drives, motion control systems, and machine automation components to achieve desired performance.
• Develop detailed machine sequences, control logic, and process automation strategies to support new and existing production lines.
• Support prototype builds, including debugging, machine validation, and process development activities.
• Collaborate closely with machine design engineers to integrate mechanical and controls systems into cohesive equipment solutions.
• Lead equipment startup, commissioning, troubleshooting, and optimization efforts on new automated machinery.
• Create, organize, and maintain technical documentation, including control narratives, electrical drawings, and software backups.
• Support new product introduction (NPI) and equipment launch activities by ensuring controls systems are ready for production use.
• Contribute to the design and development of processes for new production lines, particularly in support of expanding manufacturing operations.

Skills

Allen-Bradley PLCs

HMI Development

Robotics ABB FANUC

Electrical Schematics

Motion Control

Safety Systems

Documentation

Tools

Solidworks Electrical

EPLAN

Studio 5000 RSLogix

FactoryTalk View

Job description

Job Title: Controls EngineerJob Description

We are seeking an experienced Controls Engineer to design, program, and launch new automated manufacturing equipment, with a strong focus on custom machinery for high-volume production. In this role, you will take ownership of controls architecture from concept through production implementation, including PLC programming, robotics integration, HMI development, and equipment commissioning. You will collaborate closely with mechanical engineering, process development, manufacturing, and project teams to develop robust, efficient, and reliable automation solutions that support new production lines and processes.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement controls systems for custom manufacturing equipment and automated machinery.
• Program Allen-Bradley PLCs from scratch using Studio 5000 / RSLogix to support new and existing equipment.
• Develop, configure, and troubleshoot HMI applications using FactoryTalk View and related platforms.
• Integrate and program industrial robots, including ABB and/or FANUC systems, to support automated processes.
• Design and develop machine control architecture, including safety systems and communication networks, to ensure reliable and safe operation.
• Perform electrical schematic design and documentation using Solidworks Electrical, EPLAN, or similar tools.
• Configure and tune servo drives, motion control systems, and machine automation components to achieve desired performance.
• Develop detailed machine sequences, control logic, and process automation strategies to support new and existing production lines.
• Support prototype builds, including debugging, machine validation, and process development activities.
• Collaborate closely with machine design engineers to integrate mechanical and controls systems into cohesive equipment solutions.
• Lead equipment startup, commissioning, troubleshooting, and optimization efforts on new automated machinery.
• Create, organize, and maintain technical documentation, including control narratives, electrical drawings, and software backups.
• Support new product introduction (NPI) and equipment launch activities by ensuring controls systems are ready for production use.
• Contribute to the design and development of processes for new production lines, particularly in support of expanding manufacturing operations.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience designing, developing, and implementing controls systems for automated manufacturing equipment.
• Hands-on experience programming Allen-Bradley PLCs from scratch using Studio 5000 / RSLogix.
• Strong background in developing and troubleshooting HMI applications, preferably using FactoryTalk View.
• Experience integrating and programming industrial robotics systems, including ABB and/or FANUC robots.
• Proficiency in electrical schematic design using Solidworks Electrical and familiarity with EPLAN or similar tools.
• Demonstrated expertise in motion control, including servo drives, HMIs, and robotics.
• Ability to configure and tune servo drives and motion control systems for automated machinery.
• Strong troubleshooting skills in automation, electrical systems, and control logic.
• Ability to develop machine sequences, control logic, and process automation strategies.
• Experience supporting equipment startup, commissioning, debugging, and optimization in a production environment.
• Strong documentation skills for creating and maintaining control narratives, electrical drawings, and software backups.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI) and equipment launch activities in a manufacturing setting.
• background working closely with mechanical engineering, process development, manufacturing, and project teams on cross-functional initiatives.
• Familiarity with designing machine control architectures that include safety systems and industrial communication networks.
• Experience working on projects involving multiple new production lines or large-scale equipment expansions.
• Comfort working in a contractor or project-based environment, supporting initiatives over extended timelines (such as 12+ months).

Work Environment

This role operates in a manufacturing and engineering environment focused on automated production lines and custom machinery. You will work primarily with Allen-Bradley PLCs, Studio 5000 / RSLogix, FactoryTalk View, Solidworks Electrical, EPLAN, servo drives, motion control systems, and industrial robotics such as ABB and FANUC. The schedule is Monday through Friday on a first‑shift basis, working 40 hours per week with no travel required. You will collaborate on‑site with cross‑functional teams as they design and develop new production lines and processes, particularly for high‑volume manufacturing operations.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Zeeland, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $60.00/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)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 9, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Zeeland,MI.

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.