Automation Controls Engineer Jobs in Norfolk, VA

Job Title: Controls Engineer

Job Description

The Controls Engineer designs, programs, and commissions automation control systems for water and wastewater facilities as well as manufacturing environments, working on projects from initial planning through field installation and start-up. This role suits an experienced systems integrator who wants to expand their expertise and grow their career within a major organization while taking ownership of full project lifecycles and applying strong troubleshooting skills.

Responsibilities

• Design automation control systems based on customer specifications, engineering principles, and project requirements.
• Program automation and control systems involving PLCs and HMIs, including developing new programs from scratch.
• Specify electrical equipment and materials such as PLCs, automation control components, and instrumentation using calculations and customer requirements.
• Develop and maintain electrical schematics and P&ID drawings to support design, construction, and commissioning activities.
• Troubleshoot hardware and software issues related to PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, and associated control hardware.
• Design, configure, and debug data acquisition and SCADA systems for process monitoring and control.
• Power up, debug, and calibrate control systems for water/wastewater, automotive, and manufacturing applications.
• Identify, maintain, troubleshoot, and modify automation controls including motor starters, variable frequency drives, and standard electrical components.
• Work with process control instrumentation such as flow meters, pressure transmitters, and level transmitters to ensure accurate and reliable process measurements.
• Read, revise, and create PLC logic, HMI/SCADA programs, and VFD parameters to meet system performance and safety requirements.
• Follow established company processes and checklists and contribute to the development and improvement of standardized design platforms.
• Maintain accurate drawings, files, bills of materials, spare parts lists, and equipment specifications throughout the project lifecycle.
• Collaborate with a small engineering team to plan, execute, and support projects from office-based design through field commissioning.
• Travel to local customer sites as needed for installation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and support, up to approximately 25% annually.

Essential Skills

• Electrical engineering degree with 1–2 years of experience, or 2–5 years of equivalent experience in automation programming of PLCs.
• At least 2 years of PLC and HMI/SCADA programming experience.
• Proficiency in programming PLCs such as Rockwell, Siemens, GE, Modicon, Emerson Control Wave, or similar platforms.
• Proficiency in programming HMI/SCADA systems such as FactoryTalk, Maple, VTSCADA, Wonderware, Ignition, or similar tools.
• Demonstrated ability to program control systems from scratch rather than only modifying existing code.
• Industrial electrical hands-on experience and troubleshooting with 480 VAC three-phase, 120 VAC, 24 VDC systems, and variable frequency drives (VFDs).
• Experience identifying, maintaining, troubleshooting, and modifying automation controls including motor starters, VFDs, and standard electrical components.
• Experience with process control instrumentation, including flow meters, pressure transmitters, and level transmitters.
• Strong troubleshooting skills with a logical and systematic approach to diagnosing and resolving issues.
• Working knowledge of relevant industry standards and regulations such as NEC, IEEE, NFPA, and OSHA.
• Ability to read, revise, and create PLC logic, HMI/SCADA programs, and VFD parameters.
• High attention to detail to maintain accurate engineering documentation, bills of materials, and equipment specifications.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to approximately 25% annually for local field work.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Approximately 3–5 years of overall controls or automation experience is ideal.
• Experience as a systems integrator, supporting projects from design through commissioning.
• Experience in controls and automation beyond a single manufacturing environment, such as water/wastewater or other process industries.
• Comfort working in a small, rapidly growing team environment.
• Strong communication skills to work effectively with internal teams and external customers.
• Organizational skills to manage multiple projects and maintain thorough documentation.

Work Environment

This role is primarily office-based in the Chesapeake area, working a standard Monday through Friday schedule, typically 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Controls Engineer works closely with a small, collaborative team that includes senior engineers and technical staff, in a setting that emphasizes growth, knowledge sharing, and standardized design practices. Approximately 25% travel is required on a yearly basis, focused on local sites for installation, commissioning, and troubleshooting; travel is not weekly, and mileage is reimbursed. The position is classified as exempt and is not eligible for overtime. The work involves regular use of engineering and automation tools, including PLC programming software, HMI/SCADA development environments, and electrical design tools, as well as occasional time at customer facilities during commissioning and field support.

Interested in learning more? Schedule a time to speak with Recruiter, Vicky Glass, using this link:

https://talentassistant.actalentservices.com/assistant/bookings/qGY4OVBM

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chesapeake, VA.

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $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)

This is a fully onsite position in Chesapeake,VA.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 17, 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.