Job Information
Actalent Controls Engineer in Surgoinsville, Tennessee
Maintenance Technician / Entry‑Level Controls Engineer
Overview
We are seeking a hands‑on Maintenance Technician who is ready to grow into an Entry‑Level Controls Engineer role. This hybrid position is ideal for someone with strong electrical/mechanical maintenance experience who wants to expand their skills in PLCs, automation, and control systems. You will support daily maintenance activities while receiving training and exposure to controls engineering tasks, including PLC troubleshooting, program updates, and equipment upgrades.
Key ResponsibilitiesMaintenance & Equipment Support
Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain production equipment, electrical systems, sensors, motors, and automation components.
Perform routine and preventive maintenance to reduce downtime and increase equipment reliability.
Support emergency maintenance needs to restore safe and efficient operations.
Controls & Automation Development (Training Provided)
Assist Controls Engineers with PLC troubleshooting, minor program edits, and backups.
Learn and progressively perform hands‑on tasks related to:
Siemens and Rockwell/Allen‑Bradley PLCs
HMIs, VFDs, and industrial networking
Control panel wiring and troubleshooting
Participate in equipment upgrades, automation projects, and new installations.
Electrical & Technical Skills
Read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and control drawings.
Assist in updating and organizing documentation for electrical and controls systems.
Follow NEC standards and plant safety requirements for electrical work (training available).
Continuous Improvement
Support root cause analysis for downtime events and help implement corrective actions.
Recommend maintenance or controls-related improvements to enhance equipment performance.
Participate in TPM, kaizen events, and other lean manufacturing initiatives.
Training & Career Growth
Receive structured training to progress toward a Controls Engineer role.
Collaborate closely with Controls Engineering and Maintenance leadership on automation tasks.
Gain experience with progressively advanced controls engineering responsibilities.
Qualifications
Required
2–5 years of industrial maintenance experience (electrical, mechanical, or multi‑craft).
Strong troubleshooting skills with electrical systems, sensors, motors, and industrial equipment.
Ability to read basic electrical diagrams and follow safe electrical practices.
Willingness to learn PLCs, automation systems, and controls engineering concepts.
Preferred (nice to have)
Exposure to Siemens or Rockwell PLCs (even basic).
Experience working with control panels, relays, HMIs, or VFDs.
Associate degree, technical certification, or trade school
Work Environment & Growth Path
This role is designed for a maintenance professional who wants a clear path into Controls Engineering. You’ll gain hands‑on experience with automation systems while continuing to support daily maintenance operations. As you develop your skills, you will take on more advanced controls responsibilities with opportunities for internal promotion.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Surgoinsville, TN.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $85000.00 - $100000.00/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 Surgoinsville,TN.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Apr 10, 2026.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:
Hiring diverse talent
Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
Ensuring growth opportunities for our people
Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.
Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.