Controls Systems Engineer
Actalent
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Actalent in Columbus, OH is seeking a Control Systems Engineer to design, develop, and govern standardized, configurable control software for industrial automation. The role emphasizes scalable PLC and HMI baselines across projects and customer configurations.
You will work with cross-functional teams to enforce software standards, support FAT and commissioning, and ensure NEC/NFPA compliance while leveraging Beckhoff TwinCAT and Ignition platforms.
Qualifications
- ABET-accredited program in electrical engineering or related discipline.
- 7+ years in industrial control systems design & development.
- Experience developing PLC software in Structured Text (Beckhoff TwinCAT preferred).
- Minimum 3 years hands-on Structured Text PLC development across platforms.
- Experience in scalable HMI/SCADA with Ignition.
- Strong knowledge of EtherCAT, TCP/IP, OPC UA.
- Familiarity with NEC/NFPA safety standards and compliance.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain standardized PLC and HMI architectures using Beckhoff TwinCAT and Ignition.
- Define modular, configurable software frameworks for multiple variants and customer configurations.
- Establish and enforce software standards, naming conventions, and documentation.
- Create reusable function blocks, libraries, and templates for consistency and scalability.
- Define system architectures, data models, communication protocols, and integration strategies.
- Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software teams to align designs with requirements.
- Provide technical oversight and conduct design reviews for PLC/HMI software.
- Support integration of third-party and customer-supplied systems.
- Drive continuous improvement of standards, platforms, and practices.
- Support FAT, system validation, and commissioning activities.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
The Control Systems Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and governing standardized, configurable control system software for industrial automation systems. Working as part of a product development team, this role focuses on creating scalable PLC and HMI software baselines that support multiple projects, product variants, and customer configurations. The engineer establishes and enforces software standards and modular architectures using Beckhoff TwinCAT and Ignition platforms, ensuring that control systems align with overall product strategy, enable efficient project execution, and comply with applicable electrical and safety standards.
The Control Systems Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and governing standardized, configurable control system software for industrial automation systems. Working as part of a product development team, this role focuses on creating scalable PLC and HMI software baselines that support multiple projects, product variants, and customer configurations. The engineer establishes and enforces software standards and modular architectures using Beckhoff TwinCAT and Ignition platforms, ensuring that control systems align with overall product strategy, enable efficient project execution, and comply with applicable electrical and safety standards.
- Develop and maintain standardized PLC and HMI software architectures using Beckhoff TwinCAT and Ignition platforms.
- Define and implement modular, configurable software frameworks that support multiple product variants and customer-specific configurations.
- Establish and maintain software development standards, including naming conventions, code structure, version control practices, and documentation requirements.
- Develop reusable function blocks, libraries, and templates to improve consistency, scalability, and efficiency across projects.
- Define system architectures, including communication protocols, data models, and integration strategies between subsystems and higher-level systems.
- Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, and other engineering teams to align control system design with overall system architecture and product requirements.
- Provide technical oversight and conduct design reviews for PLC and HMI software developed by other engineers to ensure adherence to standards.
- Support integration of third-party and customer-supplied systems into the overall automation solution.
- Drive continuous improvement of control system standards, software platforms, and development practices.
- Support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), system validation, and commissioning activities with a focus on validating core software functionality and adherence to standards.
- Participate in troubleshooting complex system issues and lead root cause investigations to ensure robust and reliable operation.
- Ensure control system designs meet applicable NEC and NFPA standards, including NFPA 70, NFPA 70E, and NFPA 79, as well as other relevant safety requirements.
- Contribute to the development of long-term technology roadmaps related to automation, controls, and digital systems.
- Provide guidance and oversight on electrical schematics and system designs developed in AutoCAD Electrical.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to balance standardization with project-specific requirements and customer needs.
- Perform other related duties as assigned to support product development and project execution.
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or a related engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited institution, or a degree in electrical engineering or computer science.
- 7+ years of experience in industrial control systems design and development.
- Demonstrated experience developing PLC software in Structured Text, preferably using Beckhoff TwinCAT.
- Minimum of 3 years of hands-on Structured Text PLC development experience, with openness to various PLC platforms.
- Experience developing scalable HMI and SCADA systems using the Ignition platform.
- Strong experience with modular software design, reusable libraries, and configurable control system architectures.
- Proven ability to define, implement, and enforce software standards and best practices across projects and teams.
- Strong understanding of industrial communication protocols such as EtherCAT, TCP/IP, and OPC UA.
- Experience integrating complex automation systems, including third-party equipment and customer-supplied systems.
- Working knowledge of NEC and NFPA safety standards and related compliance requirements.
- Experience supporting system commissioning, FAT, and troubleshooting in industrial environments.
- Strong system-level thinking with the ability to design scalable, maintainable, and robust control system architectures.
- Ability to lead technical direction and influence cross-functional engineering teams.
- Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills for complex automation and controls issues.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly convey technical standards, design intent, and architectural decisions.
- High attention to detail with a focus on long-term maintainability, reliability, and quality of control software.
- Ability to balance the need for standardization with unique project or customer-specific requirements.
- Advanced proficiency in PLC programming environments, particularly Beckhoff TwinCAT.
- Experience with the Ignition HMI/SCADA development environment.
- Familiarity with version control tools and structured software development workflows.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications for documentation, reporting, and communication.
- Experience with AutoCAD Electrical for control panel and system design, including review and guidance on electrical schematics.
- Expereince in product development, platform engineering, or software standardization environments.
- Experience in electrical design for industrial automation systems.
- Research and development (R&D) experience related to automation, controls, or digital systems.
- Demonstrated ability to contribute to long-term technology roadmaps for automation and control platforms.
- Strong collaboration skills with mechanical, electrical, and software engineering teams to deliver integrated solutions.
This role is based in an office environment and operates on a Monday through Friday schedule, with typical working hours between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM. The position involves approximately 15% travel to support activities such as system integration, FAT, commissioning, and on-site troubleshooting in industrial settings. Work is primarily computer-based, using tools such as Beckhoff TwinCAT, Ignition, AutoCAD Electrical, and standard office productivity applications, in a professional engineering environment that emphasizes collaboration, continuous improvement, and opportunities for growth and advancement.
This is a Permanent position based out of Columbus, OH.
The pay range for this position is $120000.00 - $140000.00/yr.
- Great family culture with a meaningful mission
- Flexible time off
- Generous 401k policy
- Industry leading Health Insurance & benefits program
- Ability to put your personal stamp on the success of a company
- Incredible opportunities to grow within the company and the industry, both your responsibilities and compensation
This is a fully onsite position in Columbus,OH.
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 4, 2026.
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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
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.
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.
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.
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