In one aspect of the present invention, an electromagnetic actuator is disclosed. The electromagnetic actuator includes a plunger adapted to move between first and second positions, a pull coil adapted to receive electrical energy and responsively produce a high electromagnetic force causing the plunger to move from the first position to the second position, and a hold coil adapted to receive electrical energy and responsively produce a low electromagnetic force for maintaining the plunger at the second position. A sensing device is included to detect the magnetic flux density produced by the coils and responsively produce a position signal having a magnitude responsive to the position of the plunger. Advantageously, signal conditioning circuitry receives the position signal, and de-energizes the pull coil in response to the position signal indicating that the plunger is at the second position.