Job Title: Electrical Controls Engineer
Job Description
The Electrical Controls Engineer designs, coordinates, and executes electrical and automation projects that support manufacturing operations across multiple facilities. This role leads electrical upgrades and new equipment installations, provides remote and onsite technical support, and identifies opportunities for automation, robotics, data collection, energy savings, and efficiency and safety improvements. The engineer ensures that all automated systems meet required functions and production needs while collaborating closely with manufacturing, maintenance, and production teams.
Responsibilities
Design, coordinate, and execute electrical and automation projects to support manufacturing operations across multiple facilities.
Lead electrical upgrades and new equipment installations from concept through commissioning.
Provide remote and onsite technical support to manufacturing facilities, including on-call plant support.
Identify and implement automation opportunities, including robotics, data collection, energy savings, efficiency improvements, and safety enhancements.
Work closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Machine Tool Operation, Plant Services, Plant Maintenance, and Production personnel to scope, develop, and install new and rebuilt systems.
Collaborate with Production and Engineering teams to ensure all work meets the needs and expectations of key stakeholders.
Design large electrical enclosures, sub-panel layouts, and wiring diagrams in alignment with UL/CUL/CSA certifications and NFPA 79 wiring standards.
Review and critique electrical designs created by other engineers to ensure quality and compliance with standards.
Perform Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) on large electrical panels and electrical equipment to validate performance and safety.
Work with project originators to ensure the scope of work is clearly defined and the sequence of operations is accurately captured.
Maintain software, programs, drawings, and files, ensuring they remain current, accurate, and properly documented.
Develop detailed electrical panel designs and conduct panel design reviews with the engineering team.
Coordinate with Operations teams to schedule, plan, and implement equipment installations and equipment upgrades.
Write PLC, HMI, drive, and related control programs for assigned projects, with expert-level PLC programming capability.
Provide startup training on control systems that is clear and easily understood by production operators and plant maintenance personnel.
Create complete and accurate bills of materials for electrical panels, control systems, and related projects.
Travel within the United States and Canada, with anticipated travel of approximately 30-35%, including extended trips during the first six months.
Essential Skills
3-5 years of experience working with Rockwell (Allen-Bradley) PLCs.
3-5 years of experience in electrical panel design using AutoCAD Electrical, including designing panels from scratch.
Expert-level PLC programming skills, particularly with Allen-Bradley PLCs and Studio 5000.
Strong experience in electrical design of control panels and systems.
Proficiency in HMI programming for industrial automation systems.
Hands-on experience with Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) of electrical panels and equipment.
Ability to design electrical enclosures, sub-panel layouts, and wiring diagrams to UL/CUL/CSA and NFPA 79 standards.
Strong troubleshooting skills in electrical, controls, and automation systems.
Proficiency in reading and creating electrical schematics.
Ability to maintain and manage software, programs, drawings, and technical files accurately.
Willingness and ability to travel 30-35%, including 1-2 weeks per month with weekends at home, especially during the first six months.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience with Rockwell Automation platforms and tools.
Background in controls engineering within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams such as production, maintenance, and engineering.
Strong communication skills for providing clear training and documentation to operators and maintenance staff.
Ability to define project scope and capture detailed sequences of operation.
Attention to detail and commitment to maintaining high-quality engineering documentation.
Interest in working for a large, growth-oriented organization that invests in people, facilities, and career development opportunities.
Work Environment
This role is based in an office environment with regular travel to manufacturing plants across the United States and Canada. The primary worksite will be in the Columbus or Cincinnati area, with frequent visits to various facilities, including initial projects in states such as California, Illinois, Minnesota, and Mississippi. Travel is anticipated at approximately 30-35%, typically involving one to two weeks of travel per month with weekends at home. The position involves working closely with plant operations, maintenance, and engineering teams in active production environments, using tools such as AutoCAD Electrical, Rockwell/Allen-Bradley Studio 5000, and other automation and controls technologies. The company offers a stable, growth-focused environment with significant investment in people, facilities, and long-term career opportunities.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Hilliard, OH.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $120000.00/yr.
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 Hilliard,OH.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 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 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.
