Electrical Project Engineer

Actalent; Jefferson City (MO); On-site; USD 96,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Short and long-term disability

HSA

Transportation benefits

PTO / vacation

Job summary

Actalent seeks a Controls Engineer / Automation Project Engineer for a major mid-Missouri expansion. You will design and implement automation, lead projects on a multi-story facility, integrate robotics, vision systems, and smart manufacturing tech, and drive automation on high-speed packaging lines.

The role blends engineering, programming and field startup, with a 70/30 split between controls work and field/project execution.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in industrial automation or electrical engineering.
• Strong PLC programming capability from scratch.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell controls.
• Robotics and automation experience in manufacturing environments.
• HMI development and troubleshooting proficiency.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and drawings.
• Experience supporting capital projects, installations and commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Lead PLC programming, controls development and troubleshooting.
• Oversee robotics integration and automation upgrades.
• Install, commission and start up equipment on projects.
• Drive smart manufacturing initiatives and plant modernization.
• Manage production line relocations and expansions.
• Lead automated palletizing/depalletizing and packaging systems.
• Apply vision inspection and material handling technologies.
• Support continuous improvement and productivity initiatives.

Skills

Automation

PLC programming

Allen-Bradley/Rockwell

Robotics

HMI development

Electrical troubleshooting

Schematic interpretation

Capital projects support

Job description

Controls Engineer / Automation Project Engineer

Fortune 500 Manufacturer | Mid-Missouri | Aggressive Compensation | $80M Capital Expansion

Design the Future of Manufacturing. Don't Just Maintain It.

Imagine joining a Fortune 500 manufacturing leader that is investing over $80 million into one of the most ambitious automation and expansion projects in the Midwest. This is not a maintenance role. This is an opportunity to help build and automate a next-generation manufacturing operation featuring a new multi-story production facility, advanced robotics, smart manufacturing technologies, automated packaging systems, and large-scale capital projects that will shape the future of the site for years to come. If you're an engineer who enjoys programming, automation, robotics, and seeing your work come to life on the plant floor, this is the type of opportunity that can define a career.

Why Engineers Are Excited About This Opportunity

Aggressive Compensation package

• Competitive hourly compensation ($65/hr - $80/hr), plus OT at 1.5 Rate
• Contract-to-hire opportunity with long-term growth potential
• Per-dem assistance available for qualified candidates
• Significant earning potential for travelers and relocation candidates

Major Capital Expansion

• Over $80 million in approved plant investments
• Construction of a new 7-story automated manufacturing facility
• Multiple new production and packaging lines being installed
• Long-term growth creating numerous engineering advancement opportunities

Cutting-Edge Automation

• Robotics integration and automation initiatives
• Smart Manufacturing and Industry 4.0 projects
• Vision inspection systems
• Automated material handling and ASRS technologies
• High-speed packaging systems
• Advanced controls architecture

What You'll Be Working On

As a key member of the Automation Engineering team, you'll lead and support projects involving:

• PLC programming, controls development, and troubleshooting
• Robotics integration and automation upgrades
• Equipment installations, commissioning, and startup activities
• Smart manufacturing initiatives and plant modernization projects
• Production line relocations and expansions
• Automated palletizing and depalletizing systems
• Pick-and-place robotic applications
• Vision inspection technologies
• Material handling and packaging automation
• Continuous improvement and productivity initiatives

This position offers a unique blend of engineering, programming, troubleshooting, and project leadership.

Approximately

• 70% Controls Programming & Automation Engineering
• 30% Startup, Validation, Field Support & Project Execution

You’ll split your time between your laptop and the manufacturing floor, working alongside electricians, OEMs, contractors, operations teams and site leadership.

Required Experience

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of industrial automation, controls, or electrical engineering experience
• Strong PLC programming experience from scratch
• Allen-Bradley / Rockwell controls expertise
• Robotics and automation experience in manufacturing environments
• HMI development and troubleshooting experience
• Electrical troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and drawings
• Experience supporting capital projects, equipment installations, and commissioning activities

Location

Mid-Missouri (Jefferson City / Columbia Metro Area)

Enjoy a lower cost of living while working on projects typically found in major manufacturing hubs. This role is particularly attractive for engineers seeking a high-impact career opportunity without sacrificing quality of life.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Jefferson City, MO.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $70.00 - $85.00/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)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 6, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Jefferson City,MO.

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.