Lead Controls Engineer & Automation Leader

Sterling Engineering Inc.; Buffalo Grove (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling Engineering Inc. in Buffalo Grove, IL is seeking a hands-on Controls Engineering Manager to lead a team of controls engineers in a high-volume manufacturing setting. You will mentor engineers, troubleshoot complex issues, and drive automation upgrades from concept through implementation.

The role combines technical leadership with project management, focusing on reliability, OEE improvements, and continuous improvement through Lean methods and data-driven decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Controls Engineering or related field.
• 6+ years of industrial controls or automation experience.
• 2+ years in engineering leadership or supervision.
• Hands-on PLC programming, HMIs, and manufacturing equipment troubleshooting.
• Experience managing projects and driving continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Controls Engineers.
• Provide hands-on support for complex controls issues and downtime events.
• Collaborate with production, maintenance, quality, and operations to improve reliability.
• Work with customers to develop controls upgrades and automation improvements.
• Partner with OEMs and vendors to resolve challenges and design long-term solutions.
• Lead controls-related capital projects from concept through implementation.
• Drive root cause investigations and permanent corrective actions.
• Establish and maintain controls standards, documentation, and best practices.
• Support PLC, HMI, networking, robotics, motion control, and automated systems.
• Identify opportunities to improve OEE and reduce downtime.
• Promote Lean manufacturing and data-driven decision making.

Skills

Industrial automation

Technical leadership

Troubleshooting

Lean manufacturing

Data-driven decision making

Cross-functional collaboration

Root cause analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

PLC programming

HMI development

SCADA

MES

Job description

Sterling Engineering Inc. in Buffalo Grove, IL is seeking a hands-on Controls Engineering Manager to lead a team of controls engineers in a high-volume manufacturing setting. You will mentor engineers, troubleshoot complex issues, and drive automation upgrades from concept through implementation.

The role combines technical leadership with project management, focusing on reliability, OEE improvements, and continuous improvement through Lean methods and data-driven decisions.