Controls Engineer
Job Description
Title: Controls Engineer
Location: Elgin, IL
Hire Type: Contract to direct hire
Compensation: $45/hr to $65/hr based on experience
Benefits: As a contract employee of Sterling, you are eligible to receive a Full Employee Benefits Package that includes paid time off, paid holidays, 3 medical plans to choose from, dental & vision plans, 401(k), and an Employee Stock Ownership (ESOP) plan.
- Design, program, debug, and commission controls systems for custom automated equipment.
- Develop and modify Allen-Bradley PLC and HMI programs.
- Support electrical controls design, panel layouts, I/O development, and machine sequencing.
- Troubleshoot PLC, HMI, servo, motion, robotics, and other automation-related issues.
- Participate in machine build, integration, debug, FAT, SAT, and customer commissioning activities.
- Work closely with mechanical and electrical engineers to ensure seamless machine integration.
- Interpret electrical schematics, control drawings, and machine specifications.
- Develop and maintain controls documentation, standards, and programming practices.
- Ensure equipment meets customer specifications, safety requirements, and applicable controls standards.
- Provide technical leadership and mentoring to less-experienced controls engineers and technicians.
- Travel as needed for customer installations and commissioning.
- 5+ years of controls engineering experience in custom automation, machine building, systems integration, or a related manufacturing environment.
- Extensive Allen Bradley PLC programming experience.
- Experience with Allen Bradley HMIs, motion/servo controls, and industrial automation.
- Ability to troubleshoot and commission complex automated machinery.
- Strong understanding of electrical controls, machine sequencing, and industrial automation.
- Experience with GM controls standards is a plus.
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related field is preferred.
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
- Comfortable working in a hands-on, onsite engineering environment.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.
Meet Your Recruiter
Principal Recruiter
Steve Stabley is a Recruiter at Sterling Engineering with close to 30 years of technical recruiting experience, including more than 23 years with Sterling. Throughout his career, Steve has built deep expertise in the automation and manufacturing industries, helping clients identify and hire highly skilled engineering and technical talent.
Steve has successfully sourced and placed engineers and technicians with many of the leading automation companies throughout the greater Chicagoland area. His industry knowledge, long-standing relationships, and understanding of technical hiring needs allow him to connect qualified candidates with opportunities where they can make an immediate and lasting impact.