Controls Engineer

Job Title:

Controls Engineer Job Description The Controls Engineer designs, implements, and supports advanced automation systems that power a highly automated indoor agriculture operation. This role focuses on developing PLC-based control systems, integrating robotics and large automated equipment, and building robust

HMI/SCADA

interfaces to ensure reliable 24/7 production. The position offers the opportunity to work in a fast-paced, hardware-focused environment where engineers rapidly move from concept to deployed systems and play a key role in scaling cutting-edge automation technology. Responsibilities Design and implement control systems that automate and stabilize farm operations, with a focus on climate control, irrigation, and environmental monitoring. Program, configure, and support PLC-based automation for critical equipment and infrastructure, including startup and shutdown sequences, interlocks, alarms, and fault handling. Build and maintain the overall controls architecture, including I/O lists, device mapping, control narratives, alarm philosophy, and sequences of operation. Integrate field instrumentation and devices such as temperature, humidity, and CO₂ sensors, flow and pressure sensors, valves, pumps, variable frequency drives (VFDs), heaters, chillers, lighting controls, and related farm hardware. Develop and refine HMI/SCADA-style monitoring interfaces that provide operators with clear visibility into system status, alarms, trends, and manual overrides, with an operator-first design approach. Commission control systems on-site, including system bring-up, loop checks, I/O verification, tuning, functional testing, validation, and handoff to operations teams. Troubleshoot controls and electrical issues quickly in a 24/7 production environment, performing root cause analysis, implementing corrective actions, and driving reliability improvements. Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, robotics, and software teams to integrate automation into larger equipment and workflows, particularly where robotics and large equipment interfaces are involved. Document system changes and standards, including maintaining version control, test records, control drawing markups, and repeatable deployment practices. Mentor and support technicians and junior engineers as the controls footprint scales, sharing best practices, code standards, and commissioning checklists. Use industrial automation platforms and tools to configure, monitor, and maintain control systems and related hardware. Work hands-on with hardware equipment in both office and production environments to support installation, testing, and ongoing operation of automated systems. Essential Skills 7-10 years of experience in automation and PLC programming in an industrial or production environment. Proven PLC programming experience, including development, modification, and troubleshooting of control logic. Hands-on experience with robotics or large automated equipment and integrating controls with mechanical systems. Experience building or maintaining

SCADA/HMI

screens, alarm configurations, historian/trending, or remote monitoring systems. Ability to work directly with hardware equipment, including field devices, panels, and industrial control components. Strong troubleshooting skills for controls and electrical systems in continuous or 24/7 operations. Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams including mechanical, electrical, robotics, and software engineers. Additional Skills & Qualifications Experience integrating robotics with automated material-handling systems or production equipment. Familiarity with common industrial networks used in automation environments. Exposure to control of environmental systems such as HVAC, humidity control, water systems, nutrient dosing, and filtration, or other regulated and continuous operations. Experience with historian and trending tools for performance monitoring and diagnostics. Experience creating clear technical documentation, including control narratives, I/O lists, and commissioning records. Interest in or experience with indoor agriculture, advanced manufacturing, or highly automated production environments. Experience mentoring technicians or junior engineers in controls best practices and standards. Work Environment This is an on-site role based primarily in the Herndon office, with regular travel to a nearby farm facility in Manassas to support live production systems. The organization operates like a manufacturing company rather than a traditional farm, with 24/7 automated production supported by proprietary robotics, material-handling systems, and automated workflows. Engineers work in a hands-on environment, frequently interacting with hardware, control panels, and field devices, and collaborating closely with other engineering disciplines and operations staff. The culture emphasizes rapid iteration from idea to hardware, close collaboration with leadership, and scaling innovative automation technology that redefines how food is grown. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Herndon, VA. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $125000.00 - $150000.00/hr. 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) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Herndon,VA.

Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on May 12, 2026. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through: Hiring diverse talent Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes Ensuring growth opportunities for our people Actalent is an equal opportunity employer. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we've helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day. Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.