Electrical Controls Engineer

Actalent; Georgetown (KY); On-site; USD 51,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) retirement plan

Life insurance

Short and long-term disability

HSA

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

PTO and holidays

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an Electrical Controls Engineer in Georgetown, KY. The role blends hardware design with software programming to deliver automated material handling systems.

You’ll work with PLCs, HMIs, machine vision, and robotics, collaborating with customers and internal teams from concept through installation. Responsibilities include designing controls, programming PLCs, and validating performance on-site.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in electrical engineering or equivalent experience.
• Extensive PLC programming experience with multiple platforms.
• Experience designing and debugging electrical controls for automation.
• Hands-on HMI programming for operator interfaces and visibility.
• Experience with machine vision and robotics for automated handling.
• Strong troubleshooting skills across hardware and software.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement electrical controls for material handling systems.
• Program, install, and troubleshoot PLCs across platforms.
• Develop HMI interfaces for intuitive operator control.
• Design and support machine vision and robotic subsystems.
• Collaborate with customers and internal teams from concept to install.
• Oversee electrical fabrication and assembly with shop personnel.
• Power, debug, and validate equipment through in-house tests.
• Support on-site installation and commissioning at customer sites.
• Balance time between hardware design and software troubleshooting.
• Work in open office environment and cross-functional teams.
• Provide timely troubleshooting for automation system issues.

Skills

PLC programming

Mitsubishi

Keyence

Allen-Bradley

HMI design

Machine vision

Industrial robotics

Ladder logic

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Associate degree with applicable experience

Tools

Mitsubishi HMI

Pro-face HMI

Cognex Vision

Omron Vision

Kawasaki robots

Fanuc robots

Denso robots

Job description

Job Title: Electrical Controls Engineer

The Electrical Controls Engineer designs and implements electrical controls for material handling systems, including PLC, HMI, machine vision, and robotic systems. This role combines hardware design with software programming and troubleshooting, and involves working closely with customers and internal teams to deliver reliable, high-quality automation solutions from concept through installation.

Responsibilities

• Design electrical controls for a variety of material handling systems, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient operation.
• Program, install, and troubleshoot PLC systems, including Mitsubishi, Keyence, and Allen-Bradley platforms.
• Design and program HMI systems, including Mitsubishi and Proface interfaces, to provide intuitive operator controls and system visibility.
• Design, program, install, and troubleshoot machine vision systems, including Keyence, Cognex, and Omron solutions, to support automated inspection and guidance.
• Design, program, install, and troubleshoot robotic systems, including Kawasaki, Fanuc, and Denso robots, to support automated material handling and production processes.
• Work directly with customers to evaluate project requirements and determine the feasibility of designing new equipment versus modifying existing equipment.
• Direct and oversee the electrical fabrication and assembly of projects, collaborating with shop and machine shop personnel to ensure quality and accuracy.
• Power on equipment, debug systems, and complete in-house trials to validate performance and functionality before shipment or installation.
• Oversee equipment installation at customer sites, providing on-site support during commissioning and system startup.
• Balance responsibilities between hardware design and programming/troubleshooting, with approximately 50% of time devoted to each.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in an open office environment to resolve technical issues and continuously improve system performance.
• Provide troubleshooting support for automation systems, diagnosing and resolving electrical and controls issues in a timely manner.

Essential Skills

• Experience in PLC programming and troubleshooting, including work with Mitsubishi, Keyence, and Allen-Bradley PLCs.
• Proficiency in electrical controls design and hardware design for automation and material handling systems.
• Hands-on experience programming and troubleshooting HMI systems, including Mitsubishi and Proface platforms.
• Experience with machine vision systems such as Keyence, Cognex, and Omron, including design, programming, installation, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with industrial robotics systems such as Kawasaki, Fanuc, and Denso, including programming, installation, and troubleshooting.
• Strong controls engineering knowledge, including understanding of automation systems and control architectures.
• Ability to understand PLC fundamentals, including ladder logic, programming structures, and diagnostic tools.
• Ability to troubleshoot and support complex automation systems, including PLCs, HMIs, robotics, and related electrical hardware.
• Bachelors degree in electrical engineering or a similar discipline, or an associate degree with applicable experience.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working on automation projects for large manufacturing customers, particularly in material handling environments.
• Familiarity with automation systems integration, including coordination between PLCs, HMIs, robots, and vision systems.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with customers, shop personnel, and other engineers in a project-based environment.
• Comfort working in both office and shop settings, including hands-on interaction with equipment during build, debug, and testing.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a willingness to learn new technologies and platforms.
• Interest in gaining hands-on project experience and working in a stable, project-driven environment.
• Ability to manage approximately 25% travel for installation and support activities.

Work Environment

This is a full-time, onsite role with a typical schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Work takes place in an open floor plan office that encourages collaboration and frequent interaction among engineers. The position also includes shop support, where engineers work hands-on with equipment and regularly interact with machine shop personnel during fabrication, assembly, and testing. Travel is approximately 25%, primarily to customer locations for installation support. The organization offers a stable 40-hour workweek outside of installation periods, with opportunities for hands-on project experience, training, and long-term career development. The company culture emphasizes loyalty, collaboration, and support for engineers as they grow their technical expertise. Employees receive paid time off, including 10 PTO days and 6 paid holidays.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Georgetown, KY.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $37.00 - $49.00/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 Georgetown,KY.

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.