Electrical Controls Engineer

Actalent; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Short and long-term disability

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Time Off/Leave (PTO, vacation or sick)

Job summary

Actalent seeks an Electrical Engineer to design and develop custom industrial equipment with emphasis on electrical system design, controls integration, and PLC programming. You will work from concept through build, testing, and production on unique projects.

Responsibilities include creating schematics, wiring diagrams, and control panel layouts, coordinating with mechanical teams, and ensuring safety and reliability standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent industry experience.
• 2+ years in industrial electrical design or controls engineering.
• Experience creating electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and control panel layouts.
• Hands-on PLC programming and industrial automation experience.
• Familiarity with control panels, power distribution systems, and machine control architectures.
• Experience using AutoCAD Electrical for documentation.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for industrial equipment.
• Proven problem-solving and independent work ability.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop electrical schematics, wiring packages, and control system documentation for custom industrial equipment.
• Design control panels and electrical enclosures to meet safety and reliability requirements.
• Assist with PLC programming, including development, modification, and troubleshooting of logic.
• Support selection and specification of electrical components, sensors, and control devices.
• Coordinate with mechanical engineering and manufacturing teams for integrated project execution.
• Participate in system testing, startup activities, and equipment validation.
• Ensure designs comply with electrical standards and industry best practices.
• Provide ongoing technical support during fabrication, assembly, and commissioning.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of design methods and documentation.

Skills

PLC programming

AutoCAD Electrical

Electrical schematics

Control panels layouts

Troubleshooting

Independent work

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Allen-Bradley/Rockwell PLCs

AutoCAD Electrical

Job description

Electrical Engineer Job Description This Electrical Engineer role focuses on the design and development of custom industrial equipment, with a strong emphasis on electrical system design, controls integration, and programming for engineered manufacturing solutions. The position offers the opportunity to work on unique, one-of-a-kind projects, collaborate closely with other engineering disciplines, and follow designs from initial concept through detailed design, build, testing, and production. Responsibilities

• Develop detailed electrical schematics, wiring packages, and comprehensive control system documentation for custom industrial equipment.
• Design control panels and electrical enclosures that meet performance, safety, and reliability requirements for manufacturing applications.
• Assist with PLC programming, including development, modification, and troubleshooting of control logic for industrial automation systems.
• Support the selection and specification of electrical components, sensors, instrumentation, and control devices appropriate for industrial machinery and fluid power systems.
• Coordinate closely with mechanical engineering and manufacturing teams to ensure integrated, successful project execution from design through build.
• Participate in system testing, startup activities, and equipment validation to confirm proper operation and compliance with project requirements.
• Ensure all electrical designs comply with applicable electrical standards, codes, and industry best practices for safety and reliability.
• Provide ongoing technical support during panel fabrication, equipment assembly, and commissioning, resolving electrical and controls issues as they arise.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of design methods, documentation standards, and troubleshooting approaches for industrial automation projects.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
• 2+ years of experience in industrial electrical design or controls engineering.
• Demonstrated experience creating electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and control panel layouts for industrial equipment.
• Hands-on exposure to PLC programming and industrial automation systems, including logic development and modifications.
• Familiarity with control panels, power distribution systems, and machine control architectures in manufacturing environments.
• Experience using AutoCAD Electrical or similar electrical design software to produce accurate and professional documentation.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for diagnosing and resolving electrical and controls issues in industrial machinery.
• Proven problem-solving ability and sound engineering judgment when working on complex, custom equipment projects.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks effectively, and manage multiple projects or deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with industrial machinery or custom equipment design, particularly in manufacturing, automation, or machine-building environments.
• Knowledge of hydraulic and fluid power systems and their integration with electrical and control systems.
• Background in control component and instrumentation selection, including sensors, actuators, and measurement devices.
• Familiarity with instrumentation used in monitoring and controlling industrial processes and equipment.
• Experience working with Allen-Bradley and Rockwell controls platforms, including PLCs and related hardware.
• Understanding of power distribution design for industrial equipment, including protective devices and panel layout best practices.
• Comfort collaborating with cross-functional teams, including mechanical engineers, technicians, and production personnel.
• Interest in working on unique, engineered solutions and seeing projects through from concept to fully commissioned equipment.

Work Environment

The role is based in an industrial and engineering-focused environment that centers on the design and build of custom machinery and automation solutions. Work involves a mix of office-based design activities using tools such as AutoCAD Electrical and other engineering software, along with time spent on the shop floor and in manufacturing areas to support panel fabrication, equipment assembly, testing, and startup. The position requires close collaboration with mechanical engineering, manufacturing, and automation teams, and offers exposure to industrial machinery, fluid power systems, and modern control platforms such as Allen-Bradley/Rockwell. The environment is project-driven, with opportunities to work on diverse, one-of-a-kind equipment, contribute to continuous improvement, and see tangible results as systems move from concept through commissioning.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Columbus, OH.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $29.00 - $38.00/hr. 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. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Columbus,OH.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 19, 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.