Controls & Automation Engineer

Sterling Engineering Inc.; Delavan (MN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Job summary

Sterling Engineering Inc. in Delavan, WI is seeking a Controls & Automation Engineer to design and develop control systems for process equipment, PLC/HMI programming, and IIoT-enabled solutions.

You will collaborate with engineering teams, suppliers, and customers to advance product development, implement robust hardware and firmware, and lead projects from concept through validation and production handoff. Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits accompany this direct-hire role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• 5+ years of automation engineering experience in process equipment industries preferred.
• Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting experience with HMI/SCADA platforms.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop control systems and electronic modules for process equipment.
• Develop hardware and firmware solutions, including PCB layouts and microcontroller programming.
• Create PLC and HMI programs, control narratives, I/O lists, and instrumentation specs.
• Integrate IO-Link, AS-i, DeviceNet, ProfiBus, ProfiNet, OPC UA, Modbus, Ethernet/IP, MQTT.
• Design IIoT solutions for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance.
• Develop PC-based interface tools for setup, diagnostics, and troubleshooting.
• Execute verification and validation test plans for samples and production equipment.
• Lead automation and product development projects from concept through handoff.

Skills

Automation engineering experience

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA platforms

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

Allen-Bradley

Siemens

FactoryTalk

Ignition

Wonderware

Job description

Job DescriptionJob Description Title: Controls & Automation Engineer Location: Delavan, WI Pay Range: $110k-115k per year Hire Type: Direct Hire
Industry: Food & Beverage / Industrial Automation Comprehensive Benefits Package
This is an exciting opportunity for an automation engineer who wants to move beyond traditional controls programming and play a significant role in product development, electronics, industrial communications, IIoT, and connected equipment. You’ll help develop innovative control solutions for pumps, valves, heat exchangers, and other process equipment while collaborating with engineering teams, customers, suppliers, and development partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop control systems and electronic modules for process equipment and valve control applications
• Develop hardware and firmware solutions for control units, including PCB layouts and microcontroller programming
• Develop PLC and HMI programs, control narratives, I/O lists, and instrumentation specifications
• Program and integrate industrial communication technologies including IO-Link, AS-i, DeviceNet, ProfiBus, ProfiNet, OPC UA, Modbus TCP/IP, Ethernet/IP, and MQTT
• Design and implement IIoT solutions for real-time equipment monitoring and predictive maintenance
• Develop PC-based interface tools for equipment setup, diagnostics, and troubleshooting
• Create and execute verification and validation test plans for functional samples and production equipment
• Lead automation and product development projects from concept through validation, industrial release, and manufacturing handoff
• Participate in customer meetings, product launches, design reviews, and project progress reviews

Qualifications

• Must have a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering discipline
• Must have 5+ years of automation engineering experience, preferably within food, beverage, sanitary, or process equipment industries
• Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting experience
• Experience with HMI/SCADA platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, FactoryTalk, Ignition, or Wonderware
• Strong understanding of electronic design, circuit design, PCBA layout, digital signal processing, and microcontroller programming
• Familiarity with IoT/IIoT technologies and industrial communication protocols

Why You’ll Love This Opportunity

• Next-Generation Technology: Work at the intersection of automation, electronics, connectivity, and IIoT to develop smarter industrial equipment.
• Product Development Ownership: Help take new control technologies from concept through validation and production.
• Technical Variety: Combine PLCs, HMI/SCADA, embedded programming, PCB design, industrial networking, and connected-device technologies.
• Global Exposure: Collaborate with engineering teams, suppliers, customers, and development partners across a broad organization.
• High-Visibility Work: Your designs and technical decisions will directly influence the next generation of process equipment.
• Innovation-Focused Environment: Evaluate and implement emerging automation and connectivity technologies rather than simply maintaining existing systems.
• Career Growth: Expand your expertise across controls, electronics, IIoT, product development, and industrial automation.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.