Controls Engineer

Job Title: Controls EngineerJob Description

We are seeking an experienced Controls Engineer to enhance and support advanced manufacturing operations at our Mason, OH site. This is a hands-on engineering role responsible for maximizing equipment uptime, supporting automated production systems, implementing preventive and predictive maintenance programs, troubleshooting complex electrical and controls issues, and driving continuous improvement across our manufacturing operations.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and troubleshoot automated production equipment to maximize manufacturing uptime and productivity.

• Diagnose and repair electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, servo, and controls-related equipment failures.

• Program, troubleshoot, and modify PLCs, HMIs, motion control systems, and industrial automation equipment.

• Support commissioning, installation, startup, and validation of new manufacturing equipment and production lines.

• Develop and execute preventive and predictive maintenance programs to improve equipment reliability and reduce unplanned downtime.

• Lead root cause investigations using structured problem-solving methodologies such as 5-Why, Fishbone, and Failure Mode Analysis.

• Maintain electrical drawings, PLC backups, equipment documentation, spare parts inventories, and maintenance records.

• Support industrial robots, collaborative robots, automated assembly equipment, conveyors, torque systems, vision inspection systems, laser marking, dispensing systems, battery cyclers, and automated end-of-line testing equipment.

• Troubleshoot industrial networking, Ethernet/IP, I/O systems, sensors, actuators, servo drives, and VFDs.

• Design, modify, and improve control panels, machine electrical systems, and production equipment.

• Collaborate with manufacturing engineering to improve cycle times, equipment reliability, ergonomics, quality, and manufacturing throughput.

• Analyze equipment performance using OEE, MTBF, MTTR, downtime reports, and production metrics.

• Recommend and implement capital improvements, automation upgrades, and cost reduction initiatives.

• Support facility systems including compressed air, electrical distribution, HVAC interfaces, and other manufacturing infrastructure.

• Ensure compliance with OSHA, NFPA 70E, Lockout/Tagout, machine guarding, electrical safety, and company safety policies.

• Work closely with Quality, Manufacturing, Product Integration, Test Engineering, and Operations teams to resolve production issues quickly and effectively.

• Support implementation and ongoing use of Odoo, ERP, MES, and Maintenance modules for work orders, preventive maintenance scheduling, spare parts management, and equipment history.

Essential Skills

• Proficiency in troubleshooting skills (mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, software).

• Experience with AutoCAD.

• Knowledge of Rockwell software (Studio 5000 and FactoryTalk View Studio).

• 5+ years of experience supporting automated manufacturing equipment in a production environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is preferred.

• Strong experience troubleshooting PLC-controlled manufacturing equipment.

• Experience with Siemens, Beckhoff, Omron, Mitsubishi, or similar PLC platforms.

• Experience with HMI programming and industrial communication protocols such as Ethernet/IP, Profinet, DeviceNet, Modbus.

• Experience supporting servo systems, variable frequency drives, motion control, and industrial networking.

• Working knowledge of industrial robotics (FANUC, ABB, Universal Robots, Yaskawa, Epson, or similar).

• Experience supporting automated assembly equipment, machine vision systems, leak testing, dispensing equipment, conveyors, and automated inspection systems.

• Ability to read and modify electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, ladder logic, and control panel layouts.

• Experience with AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or similar electrical design software.

• Strong understanding of industrial electrical systems, sensors, instrumentation, and machine safety.

• Experience with predictive maintenance technologies including vibration analysis, thermal imaging, lubrication management, and condition monitoring.

• Familiarity with lean manufacturing, total productive maintenance (TPM), six sigma, and continuous improvement.

• Experience in battery manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, robotics, medical device, electronics, semiconductor, food processing, or other highly automated manufacturing environments.

Work Environment

This position will be based out of our newly built Mason, OH facility, which hosts about 15-20 employees. The environment is dynamic and innovative, working with cutting-edge automation and battery manufacturing technologies. You will play a key role in launching new production lines and manufacturing processes, collaborating with experienced engineers across manufacturing, product development, and advanced battery technologies.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Mason, OH.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $38.46 - $52.89/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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Mason,OH.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 16, 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 [email protected] 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.