Electrical Controls Engineer
Actalent
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Actalent is seeking a Controls Engineer in Lexington, KY to provide hands-on controls support for fabrication, finishing, and assembly operations. You will troubleshoot automated equipment, optimize PLC and robotic programs, and collaborate with production and maintenance to improve performance and reliability.
The role offers exposure to advanced manufacturing technology, ongoing technical training, and strong potential for long-term career growth, with a contract position based in a modern
Qualifications
- This role requires 2–5 years in electrical controls or manufacturing environments.
- Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting skills with robotic system experience.
- Experience reading blueprints/schematics and applying control principles.
- Hands-on automation support for conveyors, presses, welders, and assembly lines.
- Experience with HMI programming and operator interface configuration.
- Ability to work with pneumatic and hydraulic systems in automated equipment.
Responsibilities
- Troubleshoot and provide day-to-day controls support in a manufacturing setting.
- Analyze and remove production barriers across automated equipment.
- Modify, debug, and optimize PLC programs to improve uptime.
- Update robotics programs to support process improvements and quality.
- Configure and maintain motor controls, sensors, and related components.
- Develop operator interfaces and HMIs for usability and efficiency.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to plan equipment installations and upgrades.
- Maintain up-to-date documentation for electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, PLC, and robotic systems.
- Support shop floor data collection systems for visibility into performance.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Job Title: Controls Engineer
This role focuses on providing hands‑on controls engineering support for fabrication, finishing, and assembly operations within a manufacturing plant. The Controls Engineer troubleshoots automated equipment, optimizes PLC and robotic programs, and collaborates closely with production and maintenance teams to improve equipment performance and reliability. The position offers exposure to advanced manufacturing technology, ongoing technical training, and strong potential for long‑term career growth.
Troubleshoot and provide day‑to‑day controls support for fabrication, finishing, and assembly operations in a manufacturing environment.
Identify, analyze, and eliminate production barriers across automated equipment, including presses, conveyors, welders, robotics, and assembly systems.
Modify, debug, and optimize PLC programs to improve equipment performance, uptime, and process stability.
Update and enhance robotics programs to support process improvements, cycle time reduction, and quality enhancements.
Configure, adjust, and maintain motor controls, sensors, and related electrical control components to ensure reliable operation.
Develop, modify, and improve operator interfaces and HMI screens to enhance usability and support efficient production.
Collaborate with production and maintenance teams to plan, support, and execute equipment installations, upgrades, and modifications.
Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date documentation for electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, PLC, HMI, and robotic systems.
Support and improve shop floor data collection systems to enhance visibility into equipment performance and production metrics.
Participate in troubleshooting efforts for electrical systems, including control panels, wiring, and field devices, to quickly resolve downtime issues.
Apply control system design principles to implement changes that improve safety, quality, and throughput.
Interpret and use blueprints, schematics, and technical documentation when diagnosing issues or implementing design changes.
Coordinate with cross‑functional teams to ensure controls solutions align with production requirements and safety standards.
2–5 years of experience in electrical controls, automation, or manufacturing environments.
Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting skills, including modifying, debugging, and optimizing PLC programs.
Hands‑on experience supporting automated manufacturing equipment such as conveyors, presses, assembly systems, and welders.
Demonstrated ability to diagnose and resolve issues with electrical controls, motor controls, sensors, and related equipment.
Experience working with robotic systems, including making program changes and supporting automated processes.
Knowledge of pneumatic and hydraulic systems and the ability to troubleshoot and maintain pneumatic and hydraulic components integrated into manufacturing equipment.
Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and technical documentation.
Background in industrial automation and controls engineering.
Proficiency in PLC troubleshooting within automated systems.
Experience with HMI programming and operator interface configuration.
Ability to apply control system design principles in a manufacturing setting.
Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related field.
Experience with automation systems and industrial control architectures.
Familiarity with AutoCAD or AutoCAD Electrical for creating and updating electrical drawings.
Experience working with robotics and automation to improve process efficiency and consistency.
Knowledge of pneumatics and control of pneumatic systems within automated equipment.
Experience supporting shop floor data collection systems and related interfaces.
Strong problem‑solving skills with a focus on root cause analysis and continuous improvement.
Effective communication skills to collaborate with production, maintenance, and engineering teams.
Interest in ongoing technical training and professional development to stay current with advanced manufacturing technologies.
The role is based in a manufacturing plant environment that features advanced automated equipment such as presses, conveyors, welders, robotics, and assembly systems. The Controls Engineer works closely with production and maintenance personnel on the shop floor, providing hands‑on support for equipment troubleshooting, installations, and upgrades. The workplace emphasizes a collaborative, safety‑focused culture, with access to technical training and professional development opportunities. The environment offers exposure to modern automation and control technologies, along with strong potential for long‑term career growth and conversion to a permanent position.
This is a Contract position based out of Lexington, KY.
The pay range for this position is $33.00 – $33.00/hr.
- 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)
This is a fully onsite position in Lexington,KY.
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 18, 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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