Controls Engineer

Overview

+ Support the installation, startup, commissioning, and validation of custom automated manufacturing equipment at customer facilities.

+ Serve as the primary technical liaison between controls engineering, project management, service teams, and customers to ensure successful project execution and customer satisfaction.

+ Troubleshoot and resolve controls-related issues while supporting equipment acceptance testing, customer training, and ongoing service needs.

+ This is for the after market division, involving upgrades, retrofits, system modernizations, and more.

Key Responsibilities

+ Commission, debug, and optimize PLC/HMI-based automation systems during equipment startup and installation.

+ Support controls development and implementation for PLCs, HMIs, robotics, motion control systems, vision systems, and industrial networks.

+ Partner with project teams to ensure controls systems are validated, documented, and ready for customer acceptance.

+ Diagnose technical issues in the field, implement corrective actions, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

+ Provide technical training and support to customers and internal teams throughout installation and commissioning activities.

+ Act as a technical resource during machine startup, field service visits, and warranty support.

Preferred Experience:

+ 5+ years of controls engineering or industrial automation experience within manufacturing or machine building environments.

+

Experience with Rockwell and/or Siemens PLC and HMI platforms.

+ Familiarity with Fanuc or ABB robotics, Cognex or Keyence vision systems, servo motion control, VFDs, and industrial communication networks such as Ethernet/IP, Profinet, or Profibus.

+ Strong troubleshooting skills, customer-facing communication abilities, and a hands-on approach to solving technical challenges.

Travel

+ This position requires significant travel to customer sites throughout North America to support equipment installations, startup activities, commissioning, and service projects. Travel is estimated to be 80%.

This role is ideal for a controls engineer who enjoys a hands-on environment, working directly with customers, and seeing complex automation systems through installation, commissioning, and production launch.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Farmington Hills, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $38.00 - $48.00/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 Farmington Hills,MI.

Final date to receive applications

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 30, 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 Clearly Rated 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…