CONTROLS ENGINEER OPPORTUNITY | ONSITE | COLUMBUS, IN
Job Description
This role supports a leading automotive supplier that designs and manufactures tooling and weld equipment for North American facilities. As a Controls Engineer, you design, program, and integrate electrical control systems that support advanced manufacturing operations. You work on control cabinet design, PLC programming, and on-site integration at multiple production locations, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient operation of automated equipment.
Responsibilities
- Design electrical control systems for automated tooling and weld equipment used in manufacturing operations.
- Modify and program PLCs to support new equipment, process changes, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Design and build control cabinets for machinery that has not yet been assembled, ensuring proper layout, wiring, and component selection.
- Travel to other company sites to integrate, commission, and install control systems on production equipment.
- Identify and recommend appropriate electrical motors and power supply requirements for new and existing systems.
- Configure and support industrial ethernet communications, including DeviceNet, Profinet, and Profibus networks.
- Integrate and support safety PLCs and safe I/O to ensure compliance with safety requirements and functional safety standards.
- Apply knowledge of OSHA requirements and safety standards when designing and implementing control systems.
- Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and production teams to troubleshoot, optimize, and support automated equipment.
- Document control system designs, programs, and changes to maintain accurate and up-to-date technical records.
Essential Skills
- At least 5 years of professional controls engineering experience.
- Strong proficiency with PLC programming, including ladder logic and related programming environments.
- Proficiency with Allen-Bradley PLCs, including RSLogix 500 and RSLogix 5000.
- Hands-on experience with control system design for automated machinery and equipment.
- Experience with HMI programming and integration with PLC-based control systems.
- Proficiency with ethernet networking for industrial automation, including Profibus, Profinet, and DeviceNet.
- Experience with control systems engineering, including I/O configuration, control panel layout, and system integration.
- Ability to design, build, and troubleshoot control cabinets and electrical control systems.
- Working knowledge of OSHA requirements and applicable safety standards for industrial automation.
- Ability to work with and integrate safety PLCs and safe I/O into control system architectures.
- Strong understanding of automation, electrical systems, and industrial control concepts.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience working with advanced safety PLC platforms.
- Familiarity with Structured Text programming.
- Experience with Rockwell Automation platforms and tools.
- Experience in controls engineering within an automotive or high-volume manufacturing environment.
- Ability to interpret electrical schematics and control drawings.
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in a production environment.
- Willingness and ability to travel to regional manufacturing sites for integration and support.
Work Environment
This position is fully on-site at a manufacturing and tooling facility that produces weld equipment and related systems for North American plants. The environment is clean and climate-controlled, supporting precision work on electrical and control systems. The standard schedule is five days per week at eight hours per day, with occasional additional hours based on project and integration needs. Travel is approximately 25% to regional facilities, including locations in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee, to support installation, integration, and commissioning of control systems. Work involves hands-on interaction with industrial automation equipment, control cabinets, PLCs, HMIs, and ethernet-based industrial networks in a professional manufacturing setting.
Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Columbus, IN.
Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $40.87 - $48.08/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)
This is a fully onsite position in Columbus,IN.
Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Jun 3, 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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.
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.
Posting ID: JP-006039772
