Controls Engineer — Custom Automation & System Integration

Sterling Engineering; Itasca (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling Engineering is seeking multiple Controls Engineers to design, program, debug, and commission custom automated equipment in diverse manufacturing settings. This hands-on role offers involvement from concept through FAT/SAT and customer startup, working on machine integration with mechanical and electrical teams.

Ideal candidates have 3–7+ years in custom automation or manufacturing, strong with Allen-Bradley or Siemens PLCs and HMIs, and a bachelor’s in Electrical or Controls

Qualifications

• 3–7+ years of Controls Engineering experience in custom automation or manufacturing.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Controls Engineering preferred.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley or Siemens PLCs and HMIs.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, debug, and commission controls systems for custom automated equipment.
• Develop and modify PLC and HMI programs for automation systems.
• Support electrical controls design, panel layouts, I/O development, and machine sequencing.
• Troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, servo/motion systems, robotics, sensors, and other automation equipment.
• Participate in machine build, integration, debug, FAT, SAT, and customer commissioning processes.
• Collaborate with mechanical and electrical teams to integrate complete automation systems.

Skills

Controls Engineering

Automation

PLC/HMI programming

Electrical knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Siemens HMIs

Job description

Sterling Engineering is seeking multiple Controls Engineers to design, program, debug, and commission custom automated equipment in diverse manufacturing settings. This hands-on role offers involvement from concept through FAT/SAT and customer startup, working on machine integration with mechanical and electrical teams.

Ideal candidates have 3–7+ years in custom automation or manufacturing, strong with Allen-Bradley or Siemens PLCs and HMIs, and a bachelor’s in Electrical or Controls