Controls Engineer Intern Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Sr. Controls Engineer

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated Sr. or Principal Electrical Controls Engineer to join an Orlando-based team and play a key role in the growth and success of the Florida office. In this position, you will lead the design, integration, and field execution of highly complex, custom-engineered control systems across sports architecture, themed entertainment, and other industries that demand innovative mechanization solutions. You will take ownership of projects from concept through commissioning, working hands-on with large-scale, one-of-a-kind systems to ensure they perform safely, reliably, and efficiently. This role involves a strong field presence with significant travel to support commissioning, troubleshooting, and customer-facing activities, and is ideal for an engineer who thrives in dynamic environments and enjoys solving challenging, real-world problems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of advanced electrical control systems for large machinery and custom mechanization projects in sports architecture, themed entertainment, and related industries.
• Own projects from initial concept through commissioning, ensuring that control system design, integration, and implementation meet performance, safety, and reliability requirements.
• Develop, review, and refine control system architectures, including PLC-based control, HMI interfaces, VFDs, servo systems, and motor control solutions.
• Create, read, and maintain detailed electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical documentation to support design, installation, and maintenance activities.
• Perform engineering calculations and apply finite element analysis (FEA) where appropriate to validate design decisions and ensure structural and operational integrity.
• Program, configure, and troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, and servo systems using Rockwell Studio 5000 or equivalent PLC platforms.
• Lead system commissioning activities on-site, including startup, testing, tuning, and validation of control systems for large-scale, custom-engineered equipment.
• Provide hands-on field support, including diagnosing and resolving technical issues, supporting installations, and ensuring successful system performance under real-world conditions.
• Coordinate closely with clients, contractors, and vendors to align technical requirements, manage expectations, and support successful project delivery.
• Apply functional safety principles and adhere to relevant standards, including familiarity with ASTM F2291 and the National Electrical Code (NEC), to ensure safe system operation.
• Manage technical risk on complex, custom-engineered systems by identifying potential issues early and implementing robust mitigation strategies.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of engineering processes, tools, and standards within the controls engineering discipline.
• Serve as a hands-on technical leader in the field, guiding multidisciplinary teams and supporting collaborative problem-solving on-site.

Essential Skills

• 10+ years of experience in controls engineering or a related field, or a minimum of 3+ years of experience for highly qualified candidates.
• Strong experience working with large machinery and complex, custom-engineered systems.
• Proven expertise with PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, servo systems, and motor control in industrial or entertainment environments.
• High proficiency with Rockwell Studio 5000 or equivalent PLC programming platforms.
• Ability to design, read, and develop electrical schematics and related technical documentation.
• Experience with control system architecture, integration, and functional safety principles.
• Demonstrated experience in system commissioning, troubleshooting, and providing field support for installed systems.
• Familiarity with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and its application to industrial and mechanized systems.
• Must qualify as a U.S. person under ITAR due to access to export-controlled technical data.
• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field from an ABET-accredited institution.
• Strong hands-on problem-solving skills and the ability to operate effectively in dynamic environments, both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in a related engineering field.
• Florida Engineer Intern (E.I.T.) or Professional Engineer (P.E.) license, or the ability to obtain such licensure.
• Experience in themed entertainment, amusement, or large-scale custom mechanization systems.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, EPLAN, or similar electrical design and 3D CAD tools.
• Experience with three-phase power systems and industrial electrical infrastructure.
• Experience managing technical risk on complex, custom-engineered projects.
• Familiarity with industry standards such as ASTM F2291 for amusement and entertainment systems.
• Demonstrated ability to lead field activities and coordinate effectively with clients, contractors, and vendors.
• Enjoyment of hands-on, field-based engineering work and direct involvement with equipment and installations.

Work Environment

This role is primarily based on-site in the Orlando area and involves a strong field presence at customer locations, project sites, and facilities. You will work directly with large machinery and complex custom mechanization systems, using tools such as AutoCAD, EPLAN, 3D CAD platforms, and PLC programming environments like Rockwell Studio 5000. The position includes significant travel for commissioning, troubleshooting, and customer-facing activities, requiring comfort with active, hands-on work in industrial and entertainment environments. The work setting is collaborative and multidisciplinary, with close interaction among engineers, clients, contractors, and vendors to deliver large-scale, one-of-a-kind systems

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Orlando, FL.

The pay range for this position is $63.00 - $82.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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 Orlando,FL.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 18, 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 withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment 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 thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall 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 applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.