Controls Engineer

Job Title:

Controls Engineer:

This role travels roughly 2-4 times a year. Job Description The Controls Engineer serves as a key technical leader supporting multi-site manufacturing operations through capital projects, automation upgrades, and controls system standardization. This role leads PLC and HMI design, electrical controls integration, vendor coordination, and system commissioning while providing hands-on troubleshooting and technical mentorship to plant teams. The position plays a critical role in modernizing legacy control systems, improving reliability and safety, and driving continuous improvement across multiple North American manufacturing sites. This role requires regional travel of approximately 20-30%. Responsibilities Lead PLC programming and integration activities using Rockwell Automation platforms across multiple manufacturing sites. Design, develop, and implement HMI applications using FactoryTalk View and PanelBuilder32. Drive migration of legacy PLC and HMI systems to modern architectures, including RSLogix5 and RSLogix500 to Studio 5000 conversions. Develop electrical controls designs and system architectures, ensuring standardization across facilities. Specify, configure, and support drive systems including PowerFlex AC drives, DC drives, motors, and servos. Provide controls engineering leadership for multi-site capital projects, including projects with capital expenditures in the multi-million-dollar range. Develop electrical and control system specifications, scopes of work, and cost estimates for capital projects. Evaluate, select, and coordinate with external vendors and system integrators to deliver automation solutions. Lead commissioning and startup activities, including system validation and performance verification. Provide advanced troubleshooting for PLCs, HMIs, drives, sensors, and instrumentation in manufacturing environments. Deliver hands-on support to maintenance and plant engineering teams to resolve complex automation and controls issues. Manage control system security, user access, and backups using Rockwell AssetCentre or similar tools. Create, update, and maintain electrical schematics and controls documentation to ensure accurate as-built records. Develop and maintain AutoCAD-based electrical drawings, ensuring proper version control and documentation standards. Develop, implement, and enforce corporate automation and controls standards to ensure consistency and reliability. Develop and deliver technical training for maintenance personnel and engineers on controls systems, troubleshooting, and best practices. Collaborate cross-functionally with operations, maintenance, engineering, and EHS teams to support safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations. Apply knowledge of relevant electrical and safety codes and standards to ensure compliant system designs. Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to enhance system reliability, safety, and performance through automation and controls upgrades. Essential Skills Extensive experience in PLC programming and integration using Rockwell Automation platforms, including RSLogix5, RSLogix500, and RSLogix5000 / Studio 5000. Strong expertise in HMI development using FactoryTalk View Studio and PanelBuilder32. Proven ability to migrate legacy PLC and HMI systems to modern architectures while minimizing downtime and risk. Demonstrated experience in electrical controls design, system architecture development, and standardization for manufacturing environments. Hands-on experience with drive systems, including PowerFlex AC drives, DC drives, motors, and servos. Experience providing advanced troubleshooting and plant-floor support for PLCs, HMIs, drives, sensors, and instrumentation. Proficiency in creating and maintaining electrical schematics and controls documentation. Strong AutoCAD skills for developing and managing electrical drawings and ensuring version control. Experience developing and enforcing controls standards, documentation practices, and security protocols for automation systems. Ability to independently troubleshoot complex automation systems and resolve issues in a manufacturing environment. Knowledge of NEC, NFPA-70E, and NFPA-79 and their application in electrical and controls design. Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools for documentation, reporting, and project communication. Strong communication, problem-solving, and project management skills to lead projects and collaborate across functions. Additional Skills & Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Electrical Engineering Technology. 5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience with a focus on controls and automation. Experience with capital project ownership and execution, including projects with capital expenditures in the multi-million-dollar range. Familiarity with Rockwell AssetCentre or similar tools for control system security, backups, and change management. Experience developing and delivering technical training for maintenance and engineering personnel. Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Mebane, NC. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $65.00 - $75.00/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 Mebane,NC.

Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on May 7, 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.