Electrical Controls Engineer

Actalent; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance (employee and family)

401(k) plan with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Life insurance

Short/long-term disability

HSA contributions

Job summary

Actalent is hiring for an Electrical Controls Engineer in Louisville, KY. This role focuses on designing, programming, and documenting control systems for custom CNC machinery, with emphasis on detailed schematics, PLC/Ladder logic, and robust design standards.

You will collaborate across production on the shop floor and drive continuous improvement of control systems. Responsibilities include wiring schematics, developing and maintaining FANUC PLCs, writing ladder logic from scratch, and

Qualifications

• Proven experience designing and documenting control systems for CNC machinery.
• Hands-on PLC programming and ladder logic for FANUC controls.
• Ability to create and maintain electrical schematics and design standards.

Responsibilities

• Produce electrical schematics and documentation for CNC machinery.
• Develop and maintain FANUC ladder logic and PLC programs.
• Create design standards using AutoCAD Electrical for consistent practices.
• Troubleshoot and optimize PLC/CNC control systems on the shop floor.

Skills

Controls engineering

FANUC PLCs

Ladder logic

AutoCAD Electrical

CNC motion control

Cross-functional teamwork

Troubleshooting PLC/CNC

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

Fanuc PLCs

Siemens/Sinumerik

Job description

Job Description

The Electrical Controls Engineer designs, programs, and documents control systems for custom CNC machinery used across diverse industries. This role focuses on producing detailed electrical schematics, developing and maintaining PLC and ladder logic programs, and creating design standards that support reliable, high-performance CNC motion control. You will work on project-based, non-repetitive assignments, collaborate closely with production on the shop floor, and contribute to continuous improvement of control system designs.

Job Title: Electrical Controls Engineer

Job Description

The Electrical Controls Engineer designs, programs, and documents control systems for custom CNC machinery used across diverse industries. This role focuses on producing detailed electrical schematics, developing and maintaining PLC and ladder logic programs, and creating design standards that support reliable, high-performance CNC motion control. You will work on project-based, non-repetitive assignments, collaborate closely with production on the shop floor, and contribute to continuous improvement of control system designs.

Responsibilities

• Produce complete and accurate electrical schematics and documentation for custom CNC machinery.
• Develop, program, and maintain control systems using FANUC PLCs and ladder logic for CNC machines.
• Write ladder logic from scratch for CNC applications, including CNC motion control and axis control.
• Create and refine new design standards using AutoCAD Electrical to support consistent, high-quality engineering practices.
• Support production activities on the shop floor by troubleshooting and optimizing PLC and CNC control systems.
• Program, test, and debug Fanuc CNC ladder logic to ensure reliable machine performance.
• Configure and troubleshoot programmable machine controls (PMC) for CNC machines using platforms such as Fanuc, Siemens, Mitsubishi, Fagor, Heidenhain, Yaskawa, or equivalent controls.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate electrical controls with mechanical systems and CNC software.
• Contribute to project-based engineering work, ensuring each machine’s control system meets customer specifications and performance requirements.
• Maintain clear documentation of control programs, design changes, and standards to support future maintenance and upgrades.

Essential Skills

• Proven controls engineering experience with CNC machines and motion control systems.
• Hands‑on experience with PLC programming and troubleshooting, specifically FANUC PLCs.
• Strong proficiency in writing ladder logic from scratch for CNC machinery.
• Experience developing and maintaining Fanuc CNC ladder logic programs.
• Knowledge of CNC motion control, including CNC axis programming and machine operation.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical for creating electrical schematics and design standards.
• Experience with programmable machine control (PMC) and controls engineering in CNC environments.
• Ability to work effectively in both office and shop floor settings, supporting production and machine commissioning.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with CNC machines controlled by Yaskawa, Fanuc, Siemens, Mitsubishi, Fagor, Heidenhain, or equivalent control systems.
• Experience in controls engineering for custom or project-based machinery.
• Familiarity with CNC programs and CNC axis control concepts.
• Experience with Siemens CNC and Sinumerik control systems.
• Ability to create and maintain standardized control designs and documentation for long‑term support and scalability.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and attention to detail when diagnosing and resolving control system issues.
• Interest in working on project‑based, non‑repetitive engineering work with opportunities for growth.

Work Environment

This role operates in a combination of office environment and shop floor settings, providing exposure to both design work and hands‑on production support. Standard work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with no travel required. You will work around CNC machining centers and related control equipment, collaborating with engineering and production teams in a professional, project‑focused environment that emphasizes quality, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Louisville, KY.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $130000.00 - $150000.00/yr.

Employee Medical Benefits Package: Effective 90 days after start date (<-Negotiable - Can start upon employment)

• Employer pays 98% of single option health insurance premium towards any policy option.
• This package offers the opportunity to enroll in health CIGNA(OAP or HSA)
• Employee paid Guardian dental, and vision plans
• Health Equity sponsors HSA accounts and company contributes $10.00 per check into HSA account
• Employer paid $20,000 term life insurance with opportunity to buy up at employee’s expense
• Employer paid short term disability insurance
• Employer paid long term disability insurance
• Capital Group SIMPLE IRA (Class A Share level) participation after 1 year of employment with up to 3% employer matching funds
• Vacation: After 90 days 40 hours of PTO, after 1 year 80 hours of PTO, after 2 years 120 hours of PTO, after 5 years 160 hours of PTO (max). Employee has the option of carrying over a maximum of 240 hours per year, any additional time will be paid out on final pay check for the fiscal year ending on Dec 31st.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Louisville,KY.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 16, 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.