Controls Engineer 4

Actalent; Maryland; On-site; USD 125,000 - 188,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401k Retirement Plan

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Maternity leave

Job summary

Actalent, a Baltimore-based firm, is seeking a Controls Engineer 4 to design, develop, install, and support automation solutions across utilities and process industries.

The role emphasizes PLC/SCADA, DCS, and protection schemes, with travel to client sites as needed. You will lead design reviews, subsystem wiring, and testing, coordinating with engineers and technicians on complex projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical, automation, or related engineering discipline required.
• 7+ years of hands-on experience in the electric utilities sector.
• Experience with PLC/SCADA and DCS architectures.
• Strong design, testing, and commissioning capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Originate design documents for small projects and support large programs.
• Lead programming and configuration efforts for complex automation and SCADA applications.
• Program, configure, and troubleshoot PLCs, RTUs, and HMI systems.
• Prepare specifications and perform QA/QC of designs.
• Commission deployed systems and develop test fixtures and simulations.

Skills

PLC programming

SCADA

DCS

Power systems

Control design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Energy Analyzer

OSI Monarch

Siemens Spectrum Power

ABB MicroSCADA

Job description

Job Description

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 PM.

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.

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 Aug 21, 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