Senior Controls Engineer II

Actalent; Fort Mitchell (KY); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3 Weeks PTO

7 sick days

2 floating holidays

401k with a match (4%)

HSA/FSA program

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Controls Engineer II to design control systems for industrial material handling solutions and lead the transition to manufacturing. The role involves prototyping, beta testing, and directing teams to meet performance and cost targets across North America.

The candidate will design PLC programs, develop electrical schematics, and collaborate with the development team to align with current and future manufacturing operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field; equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 8 years of related experience.
• Experience with sortation, conveyance equipment, or robotics design.
• Experience with control software and tools.
• Knowledge of electrical and safety codes for machine and equipment design, including risk assessments.

Responsibilities

• Design control systems for industrial material handling solutions.
• Lead the concepting and design of products that add value and meet customer and market needs.
• Collaborate with the development team to ensure products fit with manufacturing operations.
• Ensure products meet competitive and market demands for performance and cost.
• Specify and develop sequences of operations for automated equipment.
• Prepare schematics and specifications for control panel fabrication.
• Develop PLC programs.
• Maintain product development schedules and cost estimates.
• Follow established engineering standards and revision control.

Skills

Robotics design

Industrial automation

HMI and SCADA systems

Control software & tools

Leadership / project management

Programming from clean sheet

Strong communication

Team-oriented mindset

High travel availability

Electrical safety codes knowledge

Risk assessment

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related field

Associate's Degree in related field

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

PLC programming

Job description

Job Title: Controls Engineer II

We are seeking a highly skilled Controls Engineer II to design control systems for industrial material handling solutions. The ideal candidate will be responsible for concepting new ideas, developing specifications and requirements, implementing proof of concepts and prototypes, and leading the transition to manufacturing. This role involves leading large projects or multiple smaller projects and providing direction and training to associates.

Responsibilities

• Design control systems for industrial material handling solutions.
• Lead the concepting and design of products that add value and meet customer and market needs.
• Collaborate with the development team to ensure products fit with current and future manufacturing operations.
• Ensure products meet competitive and market demands for performance and cost.
• Specify and develop sequences of operations for automated equipment.
• Prepare schematics and specifications for control panel fabrication.
• Develop Programmable Logical Control (PLC) programs.
• Maintain product development schedules and cost estimates.
• Follow established engineering standards and best practices, including software revision control.
• Perform prototype development and testing.
• Conduct on-site beta testing to ensure safety, reliability, and performance metrics are met.
• Investigate product issues in the field and determine root cause.
• Travel domestically up to 40% within North America, primarily within the Continental United States.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 8 years of related experience.
• Experience with sortation, conveyance equipment, or robotics design.
• Experience with control software and tools.
• Knowledge of electrical and safety codes for machine and equipment design, including execution of risk assessments.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of industrial automation systems, including HMI and SCADA systems.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical or other electrical CAD systems.
• Ability to lead a team and accomplish project goals effectively.
• Strong multi-tasking abilities while maintaining attention to detail and deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Team-oriented mindset.
• Proficiency in programming from a clean sheet.
• Comfortable with high domestic travel (50-60%).
• Associate's Degree in a related field.
• Proficiency with safety PLCs.
• Experience with ESOPs.
• Bachelor's Degree in a related field is a plus.

Work Environment

This position offers a hybrid work environment with the potential to be fully remote. The role involves significant domestic travel and provides an opportunity to grow within a well-known national company in the material handling industry.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $125000.00 - $135000.00/yr.

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.

3 Weeks PTO, 7 sick days, 2 floating holidays, 401k with a match (4%) and HSA/FSA program if they choose the plan that includes this, eligible for benefits day 1

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Erlanger,KY.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 21, 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.