Controls Engineer: Custom Automation & Allen-Bradley Expert

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

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.