Controls Engineer

Job Title: Controls EngineerJob DescriptionThe Controls Engineer designs, programs, and supports industrial electrical control systems for new equipment, system upgrades, and machine retrofit projects. This role focuses on creating detailed electrical documentation, specifying and integrating control components, and ensuring reliable operation of PLC and HMI-based automation systems throughout the project lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Design electrical control systems for new machinery, system upgrades, and retrofit projects, ensuring safe and reliable operation.
• Develop comprehensive electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, I/O drawings, panel layouts, and bills of material for industrial control systems.
• Create and maintain accurate electrical documentation using SolidWorks Electrical, updating designs and records throughout the project lifecycle.
• Maintain precise engineering documentation and incorporate design revisions as requirements, standards, or conditions change.
• Select and specify PLCs, safety controllers, HMIs, VFDs, relays, contactors, power supplies, circuit protection devices, sensors, actuators, and other control components appropriate for each application.
• Develop control-panel designs and support panel fabrication, inspection, and testing to verify proper assembly and functionality.
• Program, modify, test, and troubleshoot industrial PLC systems to implement machine-control and process-control functions.
• Develop machine sequences, interlocks, permissives, alarms, diagnostics, and process-control logic to ensure efficient and safe operation.
• Program and modify HMI applications, including operator interfaces, alarms, and diagnostic screens, to support clear and effective machine operation.
• Interface new control systems with existing OEM machinery and controls, ensuring compatibility and seamless integration.
• Evaluate existing equipment when electrical documentation is incomplete, outdated, or unavailable, and create or update documentation as needed.
• Develop and troubleshoot PLC programs for industrial automation and machine-control applications, resolving issues in logic and I/O.
• Troubleshoot PLC I/O, remote I/O, industrial networks, VFDs, sensors, actuators, and other control-system components to restore and optimize system performance.
• Use electrical schematics, PLC diagnostics, and appropriate test equipment to identify and correct electrical and control-system problems.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science degree is preferred in a relevant engineering or technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in controls engineering or closely related industrial automation work is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience designing or supporting industrial electrical control systems for machinery and automation processes.
• Proven experience programming and troubleshooting industrial PLC systems in production or industrial environments.
• Experience developing or modifying industrial HMI applications and operator interfaces.
• Ability to read, interpret, and develop electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and control-system documentation.
• Strong understanding of industrial control components, including PLCs, HMIs, relays, contactors, VFDs, power supplies, circuit protection devices, sensors, actuators, and control wiring.
• Ability to troubleshoot electrical and control systems using schematics, PLC diagnostics, and appropriate test equipment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with SolidWorks Electrical or similar electrical CAD tools for creating and maintaining control-system documentation.
• Background in supporting panel fabrication, inspection, and testing for industrial control panels.
• Familiarity with industrial networks and remote I/O systems used in automation environments.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills applied to complex electrical and control-system issues.
• Effective communication skills to collaborate with engineering, production, and maintenance teams.
• Attention to detail and commitment to maintaining accurate documentation and configuration control.

Work EnvironmentThe Controls Engineer works in an industrial automation environment that includes both office and shop-floor settings. In the office, the role involves using engineering software such as SolidWorks Electrical and other design tools to create schematics, wiring diagrams, and panel layouts. On the shop floor, the engineer collaborates with fabrication and maintenance teams, inspects and tests control panels, and interacts directly with machinery and control systems. The position typically follows standard full-time working hours, with additional time as needed to support commissioning, troubleshooting, or project deadlines. The environment includes exposure to industrial equipment, control panels, and electrical systems, requiring adherence to safety procedures and appropriate protective attire as defined by site policies. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Belvidere, IL. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $50.00 - $62.00/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) Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Belvidere, IL. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 27, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Belvidere,IL.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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com 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.