Sr. Controls Engineer

Job Title: Senior Controls Engineer

Job Description

The Senior Controls Engineer provides multi-site electrical, mechanical, and controls engineering support for manufacturing operations, capital projects, equipment installations, automation systems, and continuous improvement initiatives. This role collaborates closely with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and OEM suppliers to enhance equipment reliability, manufacturing efficiency, safety, and overall production performance across multiple facilities, including a newly built bakery operation in Columbus that is supported by significant international investment.

Responsibilities

• Design, troubleshoot, and improve industrial electrical systems to support reliable and efficient manufacturing operations.
• Develop, program, and maintain PLC-based control systems, with a focus on Allen-Bradley platforms.
• Create and modify HMI applications to optimize operator interfaces, process visibility, and equipment usability.
• Configure, support, and troubleshoot industrial networking infrastructure to ensure robust communication between control systems and equipment.
• Work with VFDs and servo systems to implement precise motor control and motion solutions for production equipment.
• Maintain, update, and organize electrical drawings and control schematics using AutoCAD Electrical or similar CAD tools.
• Assist with startup, commissioning, and debugging of new production equipment to ensure smooth integration into manufacturing operations.
• Support automation upgrades and standardize controls across multiple facilities to drive consistency and best practices.
• Coordinate with OEMs, system integrators, and contractors on controls-related projects, ensuring technical requirements and timelines are met.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives aimed at increasing equipment reliability, improving manufacturing efficiency, and enhancing safety.
• Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, and Quality teams to diagnose production issues and implement effective engineering solutions.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience in PLC programming and troubleshooting, preferably with Allen-Bradley platforms.
• Hands-on experience with HMI development and industrial networking in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical or similar CAD software for creating and maintaining electrical drawings and schematics.
• Engineering degree in electrical, controls, mechanical, or a related discipline.
• Strong understanding of industrial electrical systems, including 480V power distribution and motor control centers (MCCs).
• Background in food and beverage manufacturing or similar process-oriented production environments.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including Operations, Maintenance, Quality, OEMs, and system integrators.
• Solid troubleshooting and problem-solving skills for complex electrical and automation systems.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience supporting multi-site manufacturing operations and standardizing controls across facilities.
• Familiarity with commissioning new production lines and integrating automation systems into existing operations.
• Knowledge of best practices for equipment reliability, safety, and continuous improvement in industrial settings.
• Comfort working with VFDs, servo systems, and motion control applications.
• Strong communication skills to effectively coordinate with external suppliers, contractors, and internal stakeholders.

Work Environment

This role supports modern manufacturing facilities, including a newly built bakery operation in Columbus that is benefiting from substantial international investment in equipment and automation. The work environment is highly collaborative, involving close interaction with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, OEM suppliers, system integrators, and contractors. You will work with industrial electrical systems, PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, servo systems, and industrial networking technologies in a production setting that emphasizes reliability, efficiency, and safety. The position may require time on the plant floor around operating equipment, as well as office-based work for design, programming, and documentation.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $60.00/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 Columbus,OH.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 6, 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.