Controls Design Engineer

The Controls Design Engineer will design electrical schematics and hardware for custom automation and industrial equipment, with a strong focus on AutoCAD Electrical. This role includes creating accurate electrical calculations, producing and updating redline drawings, and ensuring designs meet customer specifications, cost targets, quality standards, and project deadlines. You will work as part of a dedicated electrical controls design team, collaborating closely with multidisciplinary engineering and build teams. This is a contract position with a strong intention to transition to a long-term role based on performance and workload, and it does not require travel., * Design electrical controls and schematics for custom automation and industrial equipment using AutoCAD Electrical.

• Ensure that all equipment designs meet customer specifications by applying standard engineering techniques and best practices.
• Create, update, and maintain electrical schematics and associated documentation, including redline prints for the team.
• Perform electrical calculations to verify accuracy, safety, and reliability of equipment designs across the product lifecycle.
• Specify electrical and fluid power components for bills of materials, ensuring proper selection and compatibility.
• Support hardware design activities, including panel layout and wiring considerations for automated equipment.
• Carry out assigned engineering tasks with minimal direct supervision while maintaining high quality standards.
• Assist in the successful execution of assigned programs with a focus on cost control, quality, timing, and customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with mechanical designers, machine builders, electricians, plumbers, and controls engineers throughout the design process.
• Work within project timelines and milestones, contributing to the completion of highly technical, custom automation projects.
• Participate in continuous improvement of design methods, standards, and documentation practices within the controls design team., You will work within a large, multidisciplinary engineering organization that provides engineering design, system build, and service for advanced automation solutions. The environment brings together expertise in assembly, test, vision, robotics, and material handling systems, with a strong commitment to continuous improvement. The controls design team currently includes multiple engineers focused on electrical controls and hardware design, and you will be part of a broader group of more than 80 engineers spanning mechanical design, controls, electrical, project management, and applications engineering. The team culture is professional yet laid back, with colleagues who enjoy joking around and maintaining a relaxed atmosphere to help manage the stress of tight timelines and demanding projects. You will primarily sit in an engineering center, with the main plant located across the parking lot and an additional plant located about 15 minutes away. Work centers around custom automation and factory automation projects using modern engineering tools such as AutoCAD Electrical, with no travel required for this role. The environment is collaborative, technically challenging, and focused on delivering high-quality automation systems that enhance your skills and experience over time.

• At least 5 years of experience designing electrical controls for industrial equipment.
• Strong proficiency using AutoCAD Electrical to create and modify electrical schematics.
• Hands-on experience designing schematics for custom automated equipment and factory automation systems.
• Background in electrical engineering principles as applied to industrial automation hardware design.
• Experience with panel layout and wiring for automated equipment and industrial control systems.
• Ability to interpret customer specifications and translate them into practical, robust electrical designs.
• Capability to work independently with minimal direct supervision while managing multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Effective communication skills to coordinate with mechanical designers, machine builders, electricians, plumbers, and controls engineers.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline is preferred.
• Experience with PLC programming is a plus.
• Background working as an electrician is beneficial for understanding installation and field considerations.
• Exposure to designing controls for automated test stands and factory automation systems.
• Interest in working with cutting-edge, highly technical custom automation projects that expand long-term career opportunities.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Bridgman, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $41.00 - $50.00/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

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.