Controls Engineer 4

Actalent; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 125,000 - 188,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401k Retirement Plan

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Life and disability insurance

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Controls Engineer 4 to design, develop, install, and maintain equipment for monitoring and controlling systems across power, water, and infrastructure projects. You will work on PLC/SCADA, DNP3, Modbus, and security-focused control architectures in a dynamic, multi-site environment.

The role requires 5+ years in electrical/utilities or related fields, a bachelor’s in engineering, and strong collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical, automation, or related engineering field.
• 5+ years hands-on experience in electric utilities or related industries.
• Experience with PLC/SCADA systems and grid management software.

Responsibilities

• Originate design documents for small projects and support large programs.
• Lead programming and configuration for complex automation and SCADA apps.
• Program, configure, and troubleshoot PLCs, RTUs, and HMI systems.
• Perform factory and field testing and troubleshooting of control systems.

Skills

PLC programming

SCADA

process control

DNP3 Modbus SEL

RTU/HMI configuration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Automation Engineering

Tools

Aspen Energy Analyzer

OSI Monarch

Schneider EcoStruxure

PI System

Job description

Job Description

As a Controls Engineer, you will be pivotal in designing, developing, installing, and maintaining equipment used to monitor and control systems, machinery, and processes. Your expertise will be applied across various applications, including industrial controls, cybersecurity, building automation, water/wastewater, power controls and protection, energy management, and transportation systems. You will utilize advanced skills in areas such as process control, instrumentation, distributed control systems, PLCs, and SCADA systems to devise and implement solutions for our customers' complex needs.

Job Title: Controls Engineer 4

Job Description

As a Controls Engineer, you will be pivotal in designing, developing, installing, and maintaining equipment used to monitor and control systems, machinery, and processes. Your expertise will be applied across various applications, including industrial controls, cybersecurity, building automation, water/wastewater, power controls and protection, energy management, and transportation systems. You will utilize advanced skills in areas such as process control, instrumentation, distributed control systems, PLCs, and SCADA systems to devise and implement solutions for our customers' complex needs.

Responsibilities

• Originate design documents for small projects and support large programs.
• Create narrative design documents and perform requirements analysis.
• Design subsystems including CAD, panels, layouts, wiring, SCADA screens, hardware, and communications.
• Prepare specifications and perform QA/QC and technical reviews of designs.
• Plan and design procedures and fixtures for integrated systems factory testing and resolve internal/external comments.
• Lead programming and configuration team efforts for complex automation and SCADA applications.
• Program, configure, and troubleshoot PLCs, RTUs, and/or HMI systems using protocols like DNP3, Modbus, SEL Fast Messaging, or Mirrored Bits.
• Author testing and commissioning procedures, prepare test reports, and originate test procedures.
• Commission deployed systems and develop test fixtures and simulation devices.
• Perform factory and field testing and troubleshooting on service calls for existing and legacy system operators.
• Perform hardware and software upgrades and replacements on existing systems.
• Conduct surveys, inspections, and tours of client sites as required.
• engineers in preparing bids and proposals.
• Evaluate and price change orders.
• Assign technical tasks and coordinate with entry-level engineers and technical staff.
• Read electrical and control schematics and plans.
• Perform control system startup, configuration, and calibration.
• Test and troubleshoot control systems using basic electrical and machinist hand tools, and testing, calibration, or industry-specific tools.

Essential Skills

• Proficiency in PLC programming, SCADA, switchgear, SEL, RTAC, generator controls, substation, power, grid management, DERMS.
• Bachelor's degree with 7+ years or a Master's degree with 5+ years in electrical, automation, or other engineering disciplines.
• At least 5 years of hands‑on experience within the electric utilities sector.
• A minimum of 5 years specializing in solution architecture.
• Demonstrated proficiency with at least 5 years in real-time grid management, covering ADMS, DERMS, SCADA, and EMS systems.
• Proficiency with vendor software systems such as Aspen Energy Analyzer, Aspen Utilities Planner, OSI Monarch, Siemens Spectrum Power, ABB MicroSCADA, General Electric PowerOn, Schneider Electric EcoStruxure, OSIsoft PI System, Honeywell SCADA, Oracle Utilities Network Management System, Eaton CYME Grid Analysis, PcVue, Inductive Ignition, or similar products.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in reading electrical and control schematics and plans.
• Experience in control system startup, configuration, and calibration.
• Experience in testing and troubleshooting control systems.
• Experience using basic electrical and machinist hand tools.
• Experience using testing, calibration, or industry-specific tools.

Work Environment

This position is based out of the Baltimore, MD location and supports work in Frederick and Ft Meade, requiring travel as needed. You will be part of the PCS (power control systems) group, which is small within a large and reputable company. The standard work hours are Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 4 P

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Baltimore, MD.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $125120.00 - $187680.00/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.

• A competitive salary
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Military Reserve pay offset
• Paid maternity leave

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Baltimore,MD.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 2, 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. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.