Controls Engineer

Actalent is seeking a Controls Engineer to lead and execute electrical and automation initiatives within a modern manufacturing environment. This high-impact, hands-on role focuses on optimizing automation systems, improving equipment reliability, increasing operational efficiency, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

About the role

This position offers the opportunity to own electrical and automation projects from concept through implementation, directly improving safety, uptime, and production performance. The role involves managing projects end-to-end, providing hands-on technical support on the production floor, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive productivity and cost savings.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute electrical and automation projects from concept through implementation within a manufacturing environment.
• Design, program, troubleshoot, and provide lifecycle support for PLC and HMI systems.
• Develop and maintain industrial control systems, including drives, sensors, and power distribution.
• Provide hands-on technical support on the production floor to improve equipment reliability and uptime.
• Optimize automation systems to increase operational efficiency and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Own end-to-end project management for electrical and controls projects, including planning, budgeting, and execution.
• Manage project timelines, costs, scope, and quality while coordinating with vendors and contractors.
• Lead equipment integration, automation upgrades, and infrastructure modifications across production environments.
• Implement process control enhancements to improve process stability and production performance.
• Configure and support industrial networking and communication systems using protocols such as EtherNet/IP, Modbus, and Profibus.
• Ensure compliance with NFPA 70E, NEC, OSHA, and other relevant safety and regulatory standards.
• Promote electrical safety and environmental considerations in all project and maintenance activities.
• Collaborate closely with operations, maintenance, IT, EHS, and external contractors to deliver integrated solutions.
• Act as a technical leader on the plant floor, providing guidance and support to cross-functional teams.
• Apply World Class Manufacturing (WCM) or similar continuous improvement methodologies to drive long-term operational excellence.
• Develop, maintain, and update technical documentation, electrical schematics, and project records.
• Use tools such as AutoCAD Electrical, Microsoft Office, Office 365, and Microsoft Project to plan and document work.
• Utilize SAP or similar systems for project and asset management where applicable.
• Support and influence controls standardization efforts and automation upgrades across complex, capital-intensive processes.
• Participate in global or cross-cultural project teams and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of manufacturing-based electrical and controls engineering experience (10+ years preferred).
• Proven ability to lead technical project teams in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong proficiency in PLC programming and troubleshooting, including Allen-Bradley PLCs.
• Experience with HMI design, programming, troubleshooting, and lifecycle support.
• Hands-on experience with industrial automation and controls engineering, including drives, sensors, power distribution, and industrial control systems.
• Demonstrated project management skills, including planning, budgeting, execution, and vendor coordination.
• Experience integrating manufacturing equipment, implementing automation upgrades, and modifying infrastructure.
• Familiarity with process control enhancements in production environments.
• Knowledge of industrial networking and communication protocols such as EtherNet/IP, Modbus, and Profibus.
• Working knowledge of NFPA 70E, NEC, OSHA, and related safety and regulatory standards.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability in a fast-paced production setting.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills for cross-functional collaboration.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of projects from start to finish.
• Experience working in global or cross-cultural team environments.
• Ability to read, interpret, and create electrical schematics.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Office 365 applications.
• Ability to perform physically active tasks, including standing, walking, squatting, and occasionally lifting up to 50 lbs.

Skills

• Experience with AutoCAD Electrical for creating and updating electrical drawings and schematics.
• Experience with SAP for project and asset management.
• Experience with robotics and automated systems integration.
• Experience with Microsoft Project or similar tools for project scheduling and tracking.
• Knowledge of rubber and/or polymer processing, including mixing, extrusion, curing, and foaming (preferred).
• Familiarity with World Class Manufacturing (WCM) or similar continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience in controls standardization and automation upgrades in complex, capital-intensive manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a technical leader on the plant floor, partnering closely with operations and maintenance teams.

Work Environment

This role is based in a manufacturing facility with frequent presence required on the production floor. The position involves a physically active work style, including standing, walking, squatting, and occasionally lifting up to 50 lbs. Work hours may include project-dependent travel and non-standard schedules to support installations, commissioning, or critical production activities.

The environment is highly collaborative, with close interaction among engineering, operations, maintenance, IT, EHS, and external contractors. The facility is a modern manufacturing operation investing in automation upgrades, controls standardization, and continuous improvement across complex, capital-intensive processes. The culture emphasizes structured continuous improvement, equipment reliability, process stability, and long-term operational excellence.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $62.00/hr. Individual compensation offered within this range will depend on qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Benefits

If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital insurance
• 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)

Schedule

This is a contract position based in Mebane, NC, and is fully onsite.