Controls Engineering Manager

Actalent; Brodhead (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus target 15%

3 Weeks PTO (+4 weeks after 5 years)

9 Holidays

Fully onsite in Brodhead, WI

Job summary

Actalent in Brodhead, WI seeks a dynamic Controls Engineering Manager to lead a growing automation team. This permanent, onsite role combines people leadership with hands-on PLC programming, robotics, and automation system expertise to drive technical excellence and standardization across projects.

The role emphasizes mentoring engineers, guiding project scoping, and collaborating with mechanical, manufacturing, and service teams to ensure successful outcomes in robotic packaging and material

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.
• Experience with robotics, particularly FANUC.
• Familiarity with automation and controls engineering best practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 5-7 Controls Engineers across multiple locations.
• Provide coaching, technical guidance, and career development support for engineering staff.
• Assist with hiring, onboarding, workforce planning, and performance management.
• Promote knowledge sharing, training initiatives, and engineering best practices.
• Provide technical oversight for controls engineering activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Guide estimation, scheduling, and resource planning for controls‑related project work.
• Support the development and standardization of controls platforms, programming practices, and automation processes.
• Collaborate with Mechanical Engineering, Project Management, Manufacturing, and Service teams to ensure successful project execution.
• Assist the team with troubleshooting and technical problem‑solving when necessary.
• Support the design, programming, and implementation of PLC‑based control systems, industrial robotics, and packaging and material handling automation.
• Review controls strategies and programming approaches to ensure quality and meet customer requirements, timelines, and performance expectations.

Skills

Controls engineering

Leadership

PLC programming

Allen-Bradley/Rockwell

Ladder logic

Capital equipment

People leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

FANUC robotics

Job description

Job Description: Controls Engineering Manager

We are seeking a dynamic Controls Engineering Manager to lead a growing team of automation and controls professionals. This newly established leadership role aims to drive team development, technical excellence, and process standardization in support of industry-leading robotics and packaging solutions. The ideal candidate will blend strong leadership skills with hands‑on expertise in PLC programming, robotics, and automation systems. This role is integral in mentoring engineers, providing project guidance, and supporting the team as needed. The position involves operations across Wisconsin and offers opportunities to work on innovative robotic packaging, palletizing, and material handling systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 5-7 Controls Engineers across multiple locations.
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Provide coaching, technical guidance, and career development support for engineering staff.
• Assist with hiring, onboarding, workforce planning, and performance management.
• Promote knowledge sharing, training initiatives, and engineering best practices.
• Provide technical oversight for controls engineering activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Guide estimation, scheduling, and resource planning for controls‑related project work.
• Support the development and standardization of controls platforms, programming practices, and automation processes.
• Collaborate with Mechanical Engineering, Project Management, Manufacturing, and Service teams to ensure successful project execution.
• Assist the team with troubleshooting and technical problem‑solving when necessary.
• Support the design, programming, and implementation of PLC‑based control systems, industrial robotics, and packaging and material handling automation.
• Review controls strategies and programming approaches to ensure quality and meet customer requirements, timelines, and performance expectations.

Essential Skills

• 7+ years of controls engineering, automation, or industrial systems experience.
• 2+ years of leadership, supervisory, or team lead experience.
• Strong PLC programming experience.
• Experience with Allen‑Bradley/Rockwell Automation platforms.
• Proficiency with ladder logic programming.
• Experience supporting capital equipment or automated machinery projects.
• Strong communication and team leadership skills.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.
• Experience with robotics, particularly FANUC.
• Familiarity with automation and controls engineering best practices.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Brodhead, WI.

Pay And Benefits

• The pay range for this position is $120000.00 - $160000.00/yr.
• Bonus target: 15% (80% of that is Quest performance and 20% is ProMach performance) 3 Weeks PTO (possible negotiation for 4 weeks) - Automatically earn 4 weeks after 5 years. 9 Holidays

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Brodhead,WI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 25, 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.