Controls Design Manager

Job Title: Controls Design Manager Job Description The Controls Design Manager is responsible for leading the Controls Design department while providing technical oversight for industrial control panel design and documentation activities. This role combines engineering leadership, project execution, team development, and design governance to ensure high-quality, standards-compliant deliverables that support automation projects. As a hands-on technical leader, you will focus on team development, workload management, design quality, standards compliance, and successful project execution. Responsibilities Lead, mentor, train, and develop Controls Designers.Manage departmental workload planning, scheduling, staffing, priorities, and resource allocation.Establish, maintain, and enforce electrical CAD standards, procedures, best practices, and documentation requirements.Review and approve electrical drawing packages, design documentation, redlines, and release packages prior to manufacturing.Ensure compliance with UL 508A, NFPA 70 (NEC), NFPA 79, SCCR requirements, and customer specifications.Serve as the technical authority for industrial control panel design, electrical documentation, and controls design standards.Collaborate with Project Managers, Controls Engineers, Panel Shop personnel, and customers to support successful project execution.Support recruiting, onboarding, training, mentoring, and performance management of department personnel.Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on design quality, workflow efficiency, standardization, and engineering processes.Oversee customer design reviews, technical discussions, and resolution of design-related issues.Review part selection, standardization efforts, component substitutions, and maintenance of design libraries and databases.Balance day-to-day project execution with long-term team development and departmental growth.Serve as the escalation point for complex controls design and documentation issues, ensuring cross-functional communication and alignment between engineering, manufacturing, and other departments. Essential Skills 8+ years of industrial controls design experience, including industrial control panel design, electrical schematics, and controls documentation.2–5+ years of leadership, supervisory, team lead, or people management experience within a controls design, electrical design, or engineering environment.Advanced proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical and/or EPLAN, including reviewing and approving electrical drawing packages.Experience leading workload planning, resource allocation, prioritization, and execution of multiple design projects.Strong knowledge of industrial control systems, control panel design practices, PLCs, instrumentation, VFDs, motor controls, and power distribution.Strong understanding of UL 508A, NFPA 70 (NEC), NFPA 79, SCCR requirements, and industrial control panel standards.Experience developing, maintaining, and enforcing design standards, CAD procedures, documentation requirements, and quality expectations.Excellent communication, customer-facing, mentoring, and cross-functional leadership skills with experience supporting project teams and customer design reviews.Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Electrical Technology, or a related technical discipline. Additional Skills & Qualifications Previous experience as a Controls Design Manager, Engineering Manager, or Technical Team Lead.UL 508A Manufacturer Technical Representative (MTR) designation.Experience developing CAD standards, quality systems, and design best practices.Experience supporting panel fabrication and design-for-manufacturing initiatives.Experience maintaining design libraries, component databases, and documentation systems.Experience implementing workflow improvements, process standardization, and continuous improvement initiatives.Strong working knowledge of both AutoCAD Electrical and EPLAN.Experience working within industrial automation, systems integration, OEM, control panel, or electrical design environments. Work Environment This is a full-time, on-site leadership opportunity within a collaborative engineering and manufacturing environment supporting industrial automation projects. The role works closely with Project Managers, Controls Engineers, Panel Shop personnel, customers, and company leadership to support successful project execution. The environment is best suited for a hands-on technical leader who enjoys managing and developing people, maintaining technical standards, improving processes, and driving quality deliverables while supporting a strong team-oriented culture. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Harrisburg, PA. Pay And Benefits The pay range for this position is $89000.00 - $98000.00/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 Harrisburg,PA. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Aug 7, 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 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.