Controls Engineer: PLC Automation & Field Startup

Actalent; Lowell (MI); On-site; USD 48,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k)

PTO

Life Insurance

Job summary

Actalent in Lowell, MI is seeking a Controls Engineer to design and deliver custom automated systems for distribution customers across the U.S. You will own workloads from concept through startup, with hands-on PLC programming, electrical design, system integration, and field support.

This onsite role requires 20–30% travel and offers opportunities to work across installations, upgrades, and testing on customer sites, in a team that values ownership and technical growth.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in controls or automation engineering.
• PLC programming from scratch (Allen Bradley).
• Electrical schematics design (AutoCAD Electrical/Eplan).
• Strong troubleshooting and problem solving.
• Excellent communication with customers.

Responsibilities

• PLC programming - Allen Bradley.
• Design and modify electrical schematics using AutoCAD Electrical/Eplan.
• Support projects from concept through startup and integration.
• Equipment testing, validation, and troubleshooting on site and in house.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation (drawings, schematics, test procedures).
• Provide engineering support on the production floor as systems are built and tested.
• Travel to customer sites for commissioning and support.

Skills

Controls/Automation experience

Allen-Bradley PLC

Electrical schematics (AutoCAD/Eplan)

Troubleshooting

Customer communication

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

EPLAN

Job description

Actalent in Lowell, MI is seeking a Controls Engineer to design and deliver custom automated systems for distribution customers across the U.S. You will own workloads from concept through startup, with hands-on PLC programming, electrical design, system integration, and field support.

This onsite role requires 20–30% travel and offers opportunities to work across installations, upgrades, and testing on customer sites, in a team that values ownership and technical growth.