Controls Engineer

Cullerton Group; Illinois; On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Cullerton Group in Rock Falls, IL is seeking a Controls Engineer to design, develop, and commission industrial control systems for weighing, batching, and material handling.

The role emphasizes PLC and HMI programming, system startup, and hands-on troubleshooting in shop and customer sites, with travel about 25% and relocation assistance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field preferred.
• Entry/Associate level: 2+ years of relevant experience.
• Intermediate level (preferred): 3–6+ years of experience in controls engineering.
• Hands-on experience with PLC and HMI programming, including commissioning of control systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop, program, and test PLC and HMI applications for industrial systems
• Utilize Rockwell / Allen Bradley platforms including Studio 5000, RSLogix, and FactoryTalk
• Perform in-house testing and validation of completed control systems
• Support onsite startup, commissioning, and system integration at customer facilities
• Provide hands-on troubleshooting during installation and operation
• Create and maintain detailed project documentation (sequence of operations, IO and equipment lists)

Skills

Detail-oriented

Problem-solving

Independent work

Time management

Communication

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Rockwell/Allen Bradley PLCs

Studio 5000

RSLogix

FactoryTalk

E-Plan

DraftSight

AutoCAD

Ignition (optional)

Job description

Cullerton Group has an exciting opportunity for a Controls Engineer in Rock Falls, IL. This is a permanent, full-time position requiring on-site work.

The role offers competitive compensation up to $100K, along with relocation assistance, performance-based bonus opportunities, and additional travel incentive programs

We are seeking a Controls Engineer to support the design, development, and commissioning of industrial control systems for weighing, batching, and material handling applications. This role will focus heavily on PLC and HMI programming, system startup, and troubleshooting, both in-house and at customer sites.

This position is ideal for an early-career to intermediate-level engineer with hands-on experience in Rockwell / Allen Bradley PLCs and HMIs, who is comfortable working in both a shop and field environment. While familiarity with electrical systems and drawings is important, this role is not heavily focused on electrical design, as dedicated resources support that function.

The Controls Engineer will work closely with project managers, production teams, and customers to ensure systems are delivered, tested, and commissioned successfully.

Key Responsibilities

PLC & HMI Development

• Develop, program, and test PLC and HMI applications for industrial systems
• Utilize Rockwell / Allen Bradley platforms including Studio 5000, RSLogix, and FactoryTalk

System Checkout & Commissioning

• Perform in-house testing and validation of completed control systems
• Support onsite startup, commissioning, and system integration at customer facilities
• Provide hands-on troubleshooting during installation and operation

Troubleshooting & Technical Support

• Diagnose and resolve system issues related to PLCs, HMIs, and electrical components
• Provide support to customers both onsite and remotely (phone/email)

Documentation & Project Support

• Create and maintain detailed project documentation, including:
• Sequence of operations
• I/O lists and equipment lists
• Operator manuals and instructions
• Assist with approval packages and project deliverables

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with production technicians during system assembly and installation
• Coordinate with vendors and customers to gather technical information
• Support updates to production drawings when needed using E-Plan, DraftSight, or AutoCAD
• Stay current with emerging control technologies and industry best practices
• Contribute ideas to improve system performance, efficiency, and reliability

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field preferred
• Entry/Associate level: 2+ years of relevant experience
• Intermediate level (preferred): 3–6+ years of experience in controls engineering or similar role
• Hands-on experience with PLC and HMI programming, including commissioning of control systems

Technical Skills

• Strong experience with Rockwell / Allen Bradley platforms:
• PLCs (CompactLogix, ControlLogix)
• HMIs (FactoryTalk ME/SE)
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and technical drawings
• Familiarity with industrial controls and instrumentation such as:
• Load cells, pressure sensors, level sensors, limit switches, solenoids
• Exposure to CAD tools (E-Plan, DraftSight, AutoCAD) is a plus
• Experience with Ignition or structured text programming is a plus

Soft Skills & Work Style

• Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities
• Onsite role (no remote or hybrid options)
• Willingness to travel approximately 25% for commissioning and support
• Ability to work additional hours or weekends as needed
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. (no visa sponsorship available)

Compensation

• Entry/Associate Level: $70,000 – $85,000 base salary
• Intermediate Level: $85,000 – $100,000 base salary
• Additional compensation includes:
• Travel and service incentive programs

Additional Notes

This position has been created to support growing project demands and evolving team structure. The role focuses on hands-on controls engineering work rather than project management responsibilities, offering a strong opportunity for technical growth and development within a collaborative engineering environment.