Controls Engineer

Sterling Engineering Inc.; El Dorado Springs (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Relocation

Medical insurance

Dental

Vision

401k matching

Job summary

Sterling Engineering Inc. seeks an experienced Automation & Controls Engineering Manager to lead plant OT, automation, and electrical infrastructure in a manufacturing setting. The role focuses on reliable operations, continuous improvement, and modernization of process controls and networks.

The ideal candidate will blend technical leadership with strong project execution and team development capabilities, directing internal teams and external contractors to meet operational priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field; 4+ years leadership in a food/manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading capital projects and managing budgets.
• Strong background in industrial automation, process controls, and OT infrastructure.
• Experience ensuring high availability and uptime in regulated manufacturing operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead plant-wide OT, automation, controls, and electrical infrastructure improvements.
• Develop OT support strategies for production automation and network architecture.
• Drive process optimization to improve efficiency, quality, energy use and cost.
• Provide technical leadership on control networks, server architecture, reliability, and long-term planning.
• Manage preventive and predictive maintenance across electrical distribution and production equipment.
• Execute capital improvement projects with budgeting and cross-functional coordination.

Skills

Industrial automation

PLC

HMI

Instrumentation

VFDs

OT networks

Server management

Cybersecurity basics

Control networks

Network deployment

Leadership

Capital projects

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Job description

Job Description

Title: Controls Engineer
Location: El Dorado Springs, MO
Hire Type: Direct
Compensation: $120,000-140,000
Bonus/ Incentives/ Stock Options:Annual bonus potential
Benefits: Relocation available, medical, dental, vision, 401k matching
Must have Skill Set:

• Industrial automation and controls systems expertise (PLC, HMI, instrumentation, VFDs)
• Operational Technology (OT) infrastructure management including networks, servers, and cybersecurity fundamentals
• Control network design, deployment, and maintenance
• Capital project execution and cross-functional leadership

Overview:
We are seeking an experienced Automation & Controls Engineering Manager to lead and support plant-wide operational technology (OT), automation, controls, and electrical infrastructure within a manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for ensuring reliable day-to-day operations, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and supporting long-term modernization of process controls, networks, and plant systems. The ideal candidate will combine technical leadership with strong project execution and team development capabilities.

Job Duties:

• Lead the maintenance, optimization, and continuous improvement of plant automation, instrumentation, electrical systems, and process control technologies.
• Develop and manage operational technology (OT) support strategies including production automation, industrial control systems, communications infrastructure, and network architecture.
• Drive process optimization initiatives to improve operational efficiency, quality, energy utilization, and cost performance.
• Provide technical leadership on control network design, server architecture, system reliability, troubleshooting, and long-term infrastructure planning.
• Manage preventive and predictive maintenance programs across electrical distribution, utilities, instrumentation, and production equipment.
• Execute capital improvement projects, including planning, budgeting, implementation, and coordination with cross-functional teams to minimize operational disruption.
• Develop and maintain standards and specifications for plant controls and network systems to support stability and scalability.
• Lead technical training initiatives to strengthen operational and maintenance team capabilities.
• Manage internal technical resources and external contractors to ensure successful execution of projects and operational priorities.
• Support compliance with food safety, quality, environmental, and workplace safety requirements.
• Stay current on emerging engineering and automation technologies and recommend improvements where applicable.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline preferred; equivalent combinations of education, technical training, and manufacturing experience will be considered.
• Minimum 4+ years of leadership experience within a food or regulated manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading capital projects and managing capital budgets.
• Strong background in industrial automation, process controls, and operational technology infrastructure.
• Experience supporting manufacturing environments with high availability and production uptime requirements.
• Familiarity with regulatory and compliance standards within manufacturing operations

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.