Electrical Controls Engineer

ACTalent; Chesapeake (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

2 weeks PTO

5% 401k match

Health, Dental, Vision

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an Electrical Controls Engineer in Chesapeake, VA to focus on PLC-based controls and automation for plant machinery. The role emphasizes troubleshooting, editing, and improving PLC programs within a modern operational technology framework and a collaborative engineering team.

The ideal candidate has 3+ years of PLC experience, solid Siemens/ControlLogix skills, and a background in automation and robotics within a manufacturing setting.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on experience with PLCs in automation/industrial settings.
• Strong PLC troubleshooting and programming skills (Siemens/ControlLogix).
• Experience supporting controls and automation in manufacturing environments.
• Background in automation, SCADA, OT systems.
• Robotics experience in industrial settings is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve PLC program issues for plant machinery.
• Edit and optimize PLC logic to improve performance, reliability, and safety.
• Contribute to building and maintaining an OT framework for the facility.
• Maintain and support the existing OT framework ensuring stability and security.
• Collaborate with operations to integrate controls into production processes.
• Develop PLC solutions for new equipment, upgrades, and process improvements.
• Work with robotics and other automation tech to support production.
• Provide technical support including occasional on-call hours.
• Document changes to PLC programs and controls for knowledge transfer.
• Contribute to continuous improvement in plant automation and efficiency.

Skills

PLC programming

Troubleshooting

Automation

Robotics integration

OT framework experience

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Engineering Technology, Automation, or a closely related field

Tools

Siemens PLC

Rockwell Automation (ControlLogix)

Job description

The Electrical Controls Engineer will focus on controls and automation for plant machinery, with a primary responsibility for troubleshooting, editing, and improving PLC programs. This role contributes directly to building and maintaining a modern operational technology framework for the facility and works closely with a collaborative engineering team in a manufacturing environment.

Job Title: Electrical Controls Engineer

Job Description

The Electrical Controls Engineer will focus on controls and automation for plant machinery, with a primary responsibility for troubleshooting, editing, and improving PLC programs. This role contributes directly to building and maintaining a modern operational technology framework for the facility and works closely with a collaborative engineering team in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve issues with PLC programs supporting plant machinery and automation systems.
• Edit and optimize PLC logic to improve equipment performance, reliability, and safety.
• Participate as an active member of the engineering team to design, build, and enhance a new operational technology framework for the plant.
• Maintain and support the existing operational technology framework, ensuring stable and secure operation of automation systems.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and industrial operations to integrate controls solutions into production processes.
• Develop and implement PLC programming solutions for new equipment, upgrades, and process improvements.
• Work with robotics and other automation technologies to support efficient and reliable production.
• Provide technical support for controls and automation issues, including occasional on‑call support outside standard working hours.
• Document changes to PLC programs and controls systems to ensure accurate records and knowledge transfer.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives focused on plant automation, system reliability, and operational efficiency.

Essential Skills

• 3+ years of hands‑on experience working with PLCs in an automation or industrial environment.
• Strong PLC troubleshooting and programming skills, including experience with platforms such as Siemens and ControlLogix.
• Proven experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment supporting controls and automation systems.
• Experience working with and maintaining an operational technology framework.
• Background in automation, SCADA, and operational technology systems.
• Robotics experience in an industrial or manufacturing setting.
• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Engineering Technology, Automation, or a closely related field.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience helping to design and build an operational technology framework from the ground up is highly valued.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary engineering and operations team.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills for complex controls and automation issues.
• Clear communication skills for explaining technical concepts to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Commitment to long‑term growth and contributing to a stable, low‑turnover environment where many team members build lasting careers.

Work Environment

This is an onsite role in a manufacturing and industrial facility operating Monday through Friday, typically from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with some flexibility for adjusted start and end times (such as coming in early and leaving early or coming in later and staying later). The position may require being on call about once a month to help troubleshoot issues that occur outside standard hours, which may be resolved either remotely over the phone or by coming into the facility if needed. The environment is centered around production machinery, PLC‑based controls, robotics, and operational technology systems. The organization has a long‑standing presence in the area, a history of stability with no layoffs over several decades, very low turnover, and a culture where many employees spend their careers and retire from the facility.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Chesapeake, VA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $115000.00/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.

• 2 weeks min PTO (can be flexible if someone needs more)
• 5% 401k match, health, dental, vision

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Chesapeake, VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 26, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Chesapeake,VA.

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.