Electrical Controls Engineer - Sturgis, MI Plant

Abbott Laboratories, Limited. Saint Laurent, Québec, Canada; United States; On-site; USD 61,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation 120 hours

401(k) match

Tuition reimbursement

Health and wellness programs

Job summary

Abbott is seeking an Electrical/Automation Engineer for our Sturgis, MI facility. You will design, implement, and maintain electrical systems, support equipment startups, and drive process improvements in a GMP environment.

The role involves PLC/SCADA/HMI programming, capital project leadership, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure safety, quality, and reliability. Base pay reflects a wide spectrum with strong benefits and retirement plans.

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.
• Ability to troubleshoot and solve moderately complex technical problems.
• Knowledge of NEC/NFPA 70E and PLC programming.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain electrical and automation systems for plant operations.
• Support installation, startup, and commissioning of equipment and upgrades.
• Provide technical support for manufacturing and process optimization.
• Troubleshoot complex system issues and develop reliable solutions.
• Maintain plant electrical systems including MCCs, VFDs, sensors, and control panels.
• Program and support PLCs, SCADA, and HMI platforms; manage data historians.
• Lead capital projects with scope, schedule, and vendor coordination.
• Develop engineering documentation and change controls.
• Drive cost reduction and productivity improvements through new tech.
• Provide operator/maintenance training and ensure regulatory compliance.

Skills

Electrical engineering

Automation

Project management

Communication

Regulatory/compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

PLC programming

GE IFIX SCADA

HMI: FactoryTalk/Ignition

OSIsoft data historian

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 (https://www.abbott.com/corpnewsroom/strategy-and-strength/tackling-student-debt-for-our-employees.html) student debt program and FreeU (https://www.abbott.com/corpnewsroom/strategy-and-strength/college-degree-for-free-its-possible-with-freeu.html) 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 stablecompany 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

This 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)

* Participants who complete a short wellness assessment qualify for FREE coverage in our HIP PPO medical plan. Free coverage applies in the next calendar year.

Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: www.abbottbenefits.com

Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity and Military/Veteran friendly Employer, committed to employee diversity.

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

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