Job Title: Controls Systems EngineerJob DescriptionThe Controls Systems Engineer will serve as a Pharmaceutical Controls & Automation Project Engineer, leading and supporting automation projects for pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. You will provide technical leadership to a team of engineers, coordinate project execution, and act as the primary customer-facing technical resource throughout the project lifecycle. The role focuses on designing and developing instrumentation, controls, and electrical systems, configuring and testing PLC, DCS, HMI, and SCADA platforms, and managing onsite commissioning activities to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient production operations.
Responsibilities
- Lead and support pharmaceutical automation projects by providing technical direction to engineering teams and coordinating project execution from concept through completion.
- Serve as the primary customer-facing technical resource, maintaining clear communication, managing expectations, and ensuring alignment between project requirements and delivered solutions.
- Interpret P&IDs and process documentation to design instrumentation, control, and electrical systems that meet pharmaceutical manufacturing standards and regulatory requirements.
- Select appropriate field devices and control hardware, including sensors, actuators, and control panels, to support process control and building automation systems.
- Create detailed electrical schematics and documentation to guide panel fabrication, installation, and integration activities.
- Support panel fabrication and inspection activities to verify build quality, adherence to design specifications, and compliance with applicable standards.
- Configure and test PLC, DCS, HMI, and SCADA systems, ensuring accurate implementation of control logic, graphics, alarming, and data acquisition.
- Lead design reviews, quality assurance testing, and system documentation efforts to validate performance, reliability, and compliance with pharmaceutical manufacturing requirements.
- Manage onsite commissioning activities, including software installation, loop checks, startup, calibration, troubleshooting, and functional testing of process control systems.
- Perform functional testing of HVAC and plant utility control systems, including the creation, maintenance, and execution of detailed test plans.
- Specify instrumentation and control valves for HVAC systems and building automation applications, ensuring proper selection for performance and reliability.
- Provide long-term customer support through operator training, system optimization, and acceptance testing to promote safe and efficient operations.
- Collaborate with customers and internal teams to continuously improve system performance, address operational issues, and implement enhancements.
- Support system delivery, administration, data integration, compliance, security, and operational support for building automation and monitoring platforms.
- Contribute to documentation and knowledge sharing related to controls architecture, sequences of operation, and system configurations across multiple projects.
Essential Skills
- Bachelors degree in a technical field or a related technical degree.
- At least 3 years of experience in a related controls or automation field or industry.
- Hands-on PLC programming and control system development experience.
- Strong troubleshooting skills for PLC, DDC, and building automation systems.
- Experience managing building automation and monitoring platforms, including system delivery, administration, data integration, compliance, security, and operational support.
- Controls experience with at least one of the following: Rockwell FactoryTalk Suite, RSLogix/Studio 5000, or familiarity with PlantPAx DCS.
- Experience with BMS (Building Management Systems) and EPMS (Electrical Power Monitoring Systems).
- Instrumentation and electrical design experience for industrial or building automation applications.
- Basic understanding of HVAC systems in large building automation environments.
- Understanding of sequences of operation and P&IDs for HVAC systems and plant utilities.
- Experience with functional testing of control systems, including the ability to create, maintain, and execute test plans.
- Experience specifying instrumentation and control valves for HVAC systems.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Technical experience in pharmaceutical or industrial automation environments.
- Experience with Aveva System Platform.
- Experience with Inductive Ignition Perspective.
- Experience with BACnet and LON controllers, including Eclypse controllers.
- Familiarity with Johnson Controls Facility Explorer or Metasys controllers.
- Experience with Tridium Niagara N4.
- Exposure to Siemens Desigo building automation systems.
- Experience with Honeywell building automation or control platforms.
- Working knowledge of SQL for data handling and integration.
- Experience with scripting languages such as VBA, Python, or similar tools.
- Knowledge of Kepware OPC server for data integration and connectivity.
- Familiarity with ThinManager for thin client and visualization solutions.
- Experience or knowledge of VMware for virtualized control system environments.
- Strong communication and customer-facing skills to support training, acceptance testing, and ongoing collaboration.
- Demonstrated ability to work on complex automation and process control initiatives across multiple project phases.
Work EnvironmentThis role is based onsite in Lehigh, PA, supporting a large-scale pharmaceutical manufacturing project for an initial duration of approximately six months. After completion of this project, the Controls Systems Engineer will transition to another regional project site, offering continued exposure to a variety of complex automation and process control initiatives. You will work directly with cutting-edge pharmaceutical production systems and large building automation platforms, gaining hands-on experience across design, configuration, testing, commissioning, and optimization phases. The environment emphasizes strong visibility, mentorship, and technical development within a growing organization, with a clear path for advancement and continued project leadership for individuals seeking long-term career growth. The role is primarily site-based and involves close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams in a modern pharmaceutical manufacturing setting. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Bowling Green, OH. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $40.00 - $55.00/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 Bowling Green, OH. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 18, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Bowling Green,OH.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.
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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.