Electrical Controls Engineer - Sturgis, MI Plant

Abbott; United States; On-site; USD 61,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) match

Tuition reimbursement

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Job summary

Abbott in Sturgis, MI, within the Nutrition division, seeks an Electrical/Automation Engineer to design and maintain plant control systems for manufacturing. You’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams and drive reliability and efficiency.

The role requires hands-on engineering, PLC programming, and project leadership, with opportunities to advance in a global health company. Abbott offers training, benefits, and a strong safety/compliance culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent work experience.
• 2+ years in engineering, automation, or project management.
• Experience troubleshooting industrial electrical/automation systems in manufacturing.
• Experience with PLC programming (Allen Bradley, Modicon/Schneider Electric).
• Strong understanding of NEC and NFPA 70E.
• Strong communication skills and cross-team collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain plant electrical and automation systems.
• Support installation, startup, and commissioning of equipment.
• Provide technical support for manufacturing and new product introductions.
• Troubleshoot complex system issues and improve performance.
• Lead capital projects and coordinate with teams and vendors.
• Develop and maintain engineering documentation and change controls.
• Ensure GMP, regulatory, and EHS compliance.
• Collaborate with production, quality, R&D, and engineering teams.
• Mentor operators and maintenance staff.

Skills

Electrical engineering

Automation

PLC programming

VFDs

NEC knowledge

Engineering leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Allen Bradley PLCs

Modicon Schneider Electric

GE IFIX

FactoryTalk

Ignition

OSIsoft

Job description

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Working at Abbott

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life.

You’ll also have access to:

• Production areas that are clean, well-lit and temperature-controlled
• Training and career development, with onboarding programs for new employees and tuition assistance
• Financial security through competitive compensation, incentives and retirement plan
• Health care and well-being programs including medical, dental, vision, wellness and occupational health programs, Medical Benefits start day 1
• Vacation – 120 hours of accrued vacation (1st yr is prorated) + vacation buy program + 3 personal days + 10 paid holidays
• Retiree Healthcare program
• Robust 401(k) retirement savings with a generous company match
• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit – an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
• A stable company with a record of strong financial performance and history of being actively involved in local communities
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

The Opportunity

The position works out of our Sturgis, MI location in the Abbott Nutrition division. Our Nutrition business develops science-based nutrition products for people of all ages, from helping babies and children grow to keeping adult bodies strong and active. Millions of people around the world count on our leading brands – including Similac®, PediaSure®, Pedialyte®, Ensure®, and Glucerna® – to help them get the nutrients they need to live their healthiest lives. For over 70 years, Abbott’s Sturgis, Mich., has been impacting its community while producing products that provide essential nutrition to millions of families around the world. Working here, you’ll feel part of a family that is dedicated to making a difference and helping others.

What You’ll Do

• Design, implement, and maintain electrical systems, control systems, and automation solutions for plant operations
• Support installation, startup, and commissioning of manufacturing equipment and electrical upgrades
• Provide technical support for manufacturing, including new product introductions, equipment startups, and process optimization
• Troubleshoot complex system issues and develop innovative solutions to improve performance and reliability
• Troubleshoot and support plant electrical systems, including motor control centers (MCCs), variable frequency drives (VFDs), sensors, instrumentation, safety circuits, and control panels.
• Program and support PLCs (Allen Bradley, Modicon), SCADA systems (GE IFIX), HMI platforms (FactoryTalk, Ignition), and data historians (OSIsoft)
• Maintain and improve PLC-based control systems to support equipment reliability and manufacturing performance.
• Lead and manage capital projects, including scope definition, scheduling, and coordination with internal teams and external vendors
• Develop and maintain engineering documentation such as specifications, drawings, validation records, and change control documentation
• Drive cost reduction and productivity improvement initiatives through process enhancements and new technologies
• Monitor plant performance, identify improvement opportunities, and respond to production issues in real time
• Provide training and technical guidance to operators, technicians, and maintenance personnel
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, GMP standards, engineering standards, and EHS policies
• Collaborate cross-functionally with production, quality, R&D, and engineering teams
• Lead or support project teams and coordinate the efforts of technicians, contractors, and external resources
• You’ll be accountable for meeting our compliance standards including FDA, OSHA and Abbott policies and procedures.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Electrical, Computer, Chemical, or related field) or equivalent work experience
• 2+ years of engineering, automation, or project management experience (or advanced education equivalent)
• Experience troubleshooting industrial electrical and automation systems in a manufacturing environment, including PLC-controlled equipment, motor controls, instrumentation, VFDs, and electrical distribution systems.
• Experience troubleshooting and solving moderately complex technical problems
• Experience with PLC programming (Allen Bradley, Modicon/Schneider Electric)
• Strong understanding of engineering principles, practices, and procedures
• Knowledge of National Electric Code (NEC) and NFPA 70E
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal) and ability to collaborate across teams
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work within defined procedures
• Demonstrated leadership ability and experience guiding technicians or support personnel
• Ability to work effectively in a regulated environment with attention to compliance and quality

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in food, pharmaceutical, or other FDA-regulated industries
• SCADA development experience (GE IFIX)
• HMI programming experience (FactoryTalk, Ignition, GE IFIX)
• Data historian experience (OSIsoft)
• Familiarity with validation processes, change control, and GMP environments
• Experience with capital project management and engineering documentation (RCEs, VCRs, scope documents)
• Experience implementing new manufacturing technologies or process improvements
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Pre-Employment Inquiries and Citizenship | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (eeoc.gov)

The base pay for this position is $61,300.00 – $122,700.00

In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

JOB FAMILY: Engineering DIVISION: ANSC Nutrition Supply Chain LOCATION: United States > Sturgis : Building 01A ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS: WORK SHIFT: Standard TRAVEL: No MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: No SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Continuous standing for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Continuous walking for prolonged periods (more than 2 hours at a time in an 8 hour day)

Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans.

EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdf

EEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf

Abbott is about the power of health. For more than 135 years, Abbott has been helping people reach their potential — because better health allows people and communities to achieve more. With a diverse, global network serving customers in more than 160 countries, we create new solutions — across the spectrum of health, around the world, for all stages of life. Whether it’s next‑generation diagnostics, life‑changing devices, science‑based nutrition, or novel reformulations, we are advancing some of the most innovative and revolutionary technologies in healthcare, helping people live their best lives through better health. The people of Abbott come to work each day with relentless energy, enthusiasm and a promise to enhance the health and well‑being of millions of people. They push the boundaries to help manage and treat some of life’s greatest health challenges.

Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott, and on Twitter @AbbottNews.

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