Control Engineer

Sterling Engineering; Itasca (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling Engineering is seeking multiple Controls Engineers to design, program, debug, and commission custom automated equipment in diverse manufacturing settings. This hands-on role offers involvement from concept through FAT/SAT and customer startup, working on machine integration with mechanical and electrical teams.

Ideal candidates have 3–7+ years in custom automation or manufacturing, strong with Allen-Bradley or Siemens PLCs and HMIs, and a bachelor’s in Electrical or Controls

Qualifications

• 3–7+ years of Controls Engineering experience in custom automation or manufacturing.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Controls Engineering preferred.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley or Siemens PLCs and HMIs.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, debug, and commission controls systems for custom automated equipment.
• Develop and modify PLC and HMI programs for automation systems.
• Support electrical controls design, panel layouts, I/O development, and machine sequencing.
• Troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, servo/motion systems, robotics, sensors, and other automation equipment.
• Participate in machine build, integration, debug, FAT, SAT, and customer commissioning processes.
• Collaborate with mechanical and electrical teams to integrate complete automation systems.

Skills

Controls Engineering

Automation

PLC/HMI programming

Electrical knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Siemens HMIs

Job description

Multiple Controls Engineer Opportunities | Custom Automation & Manufacturing

Location: Belvidere / Bartlett / Elgin / Itasca, IL areas

Industry: Custom Automation / Manufacturing

Schedule: 100% Onsite

Are you a Controls Engineer who enjoys building something new rather than maintaining the same equipment day after day?

We’re looking for a Controls Engineers in multiple areas with 3- 7+ years of experience designing, programming, debugging, and commissioning custom automated manufacturing equipment.

This is a hands-on engineering opportunity where you’ll have a direct impact on the development and launch of complex automation systems.

The ideal candidate comes from a custom machine builder, systems integrator, automation, or manufacturing environment and is strong with Allen-Bradley OR Siemens PLCs and HMIs.

What You’ll Do

• Design, program, debug, and commission controls systems for custom automated equipment
• Develop and modify Allen-Bradley OR Siemens PLC and HMI programs
• Support electrical controls design, panel layouts, I/O development, and machine sequencing
• Troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, servo/motion systems, robotics, sensors, and other automation equipment
• Participate throughout the machine build, integration, debug, FAT, SAT, and customer commissioning process
• Work closely with mechanical and electrical engineering teams to integrate complete automation systems
• Read and interpret electrical schematics, control drawings, and machine specifications

What We’re Looking For

• 3-7+ years of Controls Engineering experience
• Background in custom automation, machine building, systems integration, or manufacturing
• Experience with Allen-Bradley OR Siemens HMIs
• Strong electrical controls and machine sequencing knowledge
• Proven ability to debug and commission complex automated machinery
• Ability to read and understand electrical schematics and control drawings
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or related field preferred

Why This Opportunity?

This is a great fit for a Controls Engineer who wants to be involved in the entire automation lifecycle - from controls design and programming through machine build, debug, FAT/SAT, and customer startup.