Senior Controls Engineer Jobs in Arkansas (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Senior Controls, Automation & Robotics Engineer

Job Description

This Senior Controls, Automation & Robotics Engineer role leads the automation strategy, controls team, and continuous improvement initiatives at a fast-paced, high-volume manufacturing site. You will serve as the technical authority for PLC programming, robotics, motion control, automation reliability, and capital projects while managing a team of Controls Technicians and automation resources. This is a hands-on leadership position that combines deep technical expertise with the opportunity to shape the site’s automation roadmap and develop a high-performing controls organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 5–6 Controls Technicians and automation resources, providing day-to-day direction, coaching, and performance feedback.
• Serve as the site’s technical expert for PLCs, robotics, motion controls, drives, and automation systems, acting as the primary point of contact for complex controls issues.
• Perform and support PLC programming, including new code development, troubleshooting, and modifications to improve performance, reliability, and safety.
• Lead automation-related capital projects from concept through commissioning, including requirements definition, design reviews, FATs, SATs, startup, and ramp-up activities.
• Drive automation reliability improvements by conducting root cause analysis on downtime events and implementing effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Manage automation obsolescence and modernization projects, including controls upgrades, platform migrations, and infrastructure improvements.
• Improve OEE, uptime, and overall production performance through targeted controls and automation enhancements.
• Partner closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and Quality teams to identify issues, prioritize projects, and improve manufacturing performance.
• Provide technical coaching, training, and development for controls personnel to build internal expertise in PLCs, robotics, motion control, and automation systems.
• Manage external controls contractors, system integrators, and OEM resources, ensuring high-quality deliverables and adherence to site standards.
• Lead technical troubleshooting efforts for complex automation and controls issues, coordinating cross-functional resources as needed.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities for automation, standardization, and optimization of manufacturing and packaging systems.
• Contribute to the site’s long-term automation strategy, aligning projects and upgrades with business objectives and future digitalization efforts.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 10+ years of controls, automation, and robotics engineering experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience leading and developing technical teams, including direct management of Controls Technicians, Automation Engineers, or similar resources.
• Strong hands-on PLC programming experience, including troubleshooting, modifications, and new program development.
• Experience working with high-speed manufacturing equipment and production environments.
• Experience with robotics, motion control systems, variable frequency drives (VFDs), HMIs, instrumentation, and industrial automation systems.
• Proven experience leading controls and automation-related capital projects from concept through commissioning and startup.
• Experience participating in design reviews, FATs, SATs, commissioning, startup, and equipment ramp-up activities.
• Demonstrated success improving manufacturing performance through automation, controls optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience identifying and resolving automation-related downtime through root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Experience supporting controls modernization, equipment upgrades, and obsolescence management projects.
• Ability to lead technical troubleshooting efforts and provide coaching and development to controls personnel.
• Strong understanding of industrial control systems, electrical systems, and manufacturing automation infrastructure.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly and lead cross-functional teams.
• Self-driven leadership style with the ability to take ownership of automation strategy and execution with minimal supervision.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation platforms, including ControlLogix, Studio 5000, and FactoryTalk.
• Schneider Electric automation experience.
• Background in Food & Beverage, Consumer Products, Chemical, or Pharmaceutical manufacturing environments.
• Experience leading projects, technicians, contractors, or small technical teams, even without formal leadership titles.
• Experience mentoring or training junior controls personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of automation initiatives and drive results across functions.
• Strong influencing skills with the ability to lead and motivate others without direct authority.
• Desire to grow into a broader leadership role while remaining closely engaged with technology and hands-on engineering work.

Work Environment

The role is based at a high-volume manufacturing facility that produces consumer products used by millions of people every day. The site operates in a fast-paced, high-speed production environment where automation, controls reliability, and continuous improvement are critical to success. The plant utilizes highly automated manufacturing and packaging systems that rely on PLCs, robotics, motion control, motor controls, instrumentation, drives, and factory automation technologies. You will work closely with operations, maintenance, engineering, and quality teams in a collaborative, production-focused environment. The team is committed to improving equipment reliability, reducing downtime, modernizing controls infrastructure, and supporting the future of digital automation within the facility.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Jonesboro, AR.

The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $67.31/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 Jonesboro,AR.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 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.

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