Automation Engineer - High-Speed Medical Manufacturing

Sterling Engineering; Buffalo Grove (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling Engineering in Buffalo Grove, IL, is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer with a strong controls and automation background to support a highly automated medical device manufacturing operation.

The role focuses on troubleshooting and optimizing high-speed production systems, PLC control, machine vision, and manufacturing software, partnering with engineering, quality, and external vendors to drive improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Controls/Manufacturing/Mechatronics or related.
• Experience supporting high-speed automated manufacturing equipment.
• Hands-on PLC troubleshooting experience.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley and Siemens PLC platforms.
• Strong knowledge of industrial automation systems, controls architecture, and manufacturing software.
• Experience supporting Cognex machine vision systems.
• Ability to troubleshoot electrical controls, automation hardware, sensors, and production equipment.
• Experience in regulated manufacturing (medical device/pharma/food).
• Excellent communication across engineering, quality, ops and vendors.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and support high-speed automated equipment focusing on controls and automation.
• Diagnose PLC, HMI, and automation issues to minimize downtime.
• Support and optimize Cognex machine vision systems.
• Work with PLC platforms to modify and improve automated systems.
• Collaborate with internal teams and vendors to implement improvements.
• Support software integration and system performance optimization.
• Participate in equipment upgrades, commissioning, and validation.
• Analyze performance and drive improvements to OEE.

Skills

PLC troubleshooting

Industrial automation

Machine vision

Cognex vision systems

Allen-Bradley/Siemens PLC platforms

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Controls/Manufacturing/Mechatronics or related

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLC

Siemens PLC

HMI/SCADA

Cognex vision systems

Job description

Sterling Engineering in Buffalo Grove, IL, is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer with a strong controls and automation background to support a highly automated medical device manufacturing operation.

The role focuses on troubleshooting and optimizing high-speed production systems, PLC control, machine vision, and manufacturing software, partnering with engineering, quality, and external vendors to drive improvements.