Controls Engineer

Sterling Engineering Inc.; Elgin (IL); On-site; USD 62,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Medical plans (3)

Dental & vision plans

401(k)

ESOP plan

Job summary

Sterling Engineering Inc. in Elgin, IL is seeking a Controls Engineer for a contract-to-direct hire engagement to design, program, debug, and commission automated equipment.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs and HMIs, strong electrical controls knowledge, and hands-on project experience from build to FAT/SAT. This role requires on-site work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Allen-Bradley PLC programming

Industrial automation

Troubleshooting

Electrical controls

Onsite hands-on work

Mentoring junior engineers

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Controls Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley HMIs

Servo/motion controls

Job description

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 aFull Employee Benefits Packagethat includespaid time off, paid holidays, 3 medical plans to choose from, dental & vision plans, 401(k), and an Employee Stock Ownership (ESOP) plan.

Summary: We are seeking a Controls Engineer with 5+ years of experience designing, programming, and commissioning automated machinery. The ideal candidate will have Allen-Bradley PLC experience and a background in custom automation, machine building, or systems integration. This is a hands‑on engineering role supporting the development, programming, debugging, and commissioning of complex automated equipment.

• 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.

Qualifications:

• 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.