Lead Electrical Systems Engineer

Sterling St James LLC; Oak Creek (WI); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package

Flexible start times

Performance hybrid

Job summary

Sterling St James LLC is seeking a Senior Electrical Design Engineer to own end-to-end electrical projects in a ground-up capacity. You will develop complete electrical schematics, panel layouts, and BOMs, and program PLCs and HMIs for diverse automation builds.

The role emphasizes high autonomy within a premier systems integrator environment with flexible hours and a hybrid work model in the Oak Creek/Milwaukee area.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of ground-up electrical design experience.
• 3+ years of panel layout design experience.
• 3+ years of BOM creation experience.
• PLC & HMI programming experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell.
• Experience with FANUC robotics and Cognex/Keyence vision.

Responsibilities

• Design ground-up electrical systems and schematics using AutoCAD/AutoCAD Electrical.
• Create panel layouts and BOMs with accurate component details.
• Program PLC & HMI systems for high-mix, non-repetitive automation builds.
• Participate in shop-floor validation and wiring.
• Integrate vision and robotics in cell automation.
• Conduct client commissioning trips (10–15% travel).

Skills

Electrical design

AutoCAD Electrical

Panel layout

BOMs

PLC programming

HMI programming

Vision systems

Travel availability

Education

AS or BS in Electrical Engineering/Automation/Mechatronics

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Rockwell PLCs

HMI systems

FANUC robotics

Cognex/Keyence vision

Job description

Senior Electrical Design Engineer – Systems Integration & BOMs

$120,000 – $130,000 Base Salary • Oak Creek / Milwaukee Area • Flexible Hours & Performance Hybrid

• COMPENSATION: $120,000 – $130,000 starting base salary + full benefits package + flexible start times and performance hybrid flexibility.
• WORK SCHEDULE: Flexible day shift with high autonomy; low-impact domestic travel (10–15%) for system startups and client commissioning.
• WORK ENVIRONMENT: High-autonomy, custom job-shop setting; premier systems integrator building ground-up automated machinery with zero micromanagement.
• EXPERIENCE & TECH STACK: 3+ years of electrical design from scratch (AutoCAD Electrical); 3+ years of panel layout design; 3+ years generating detailed Bills of Materials (BOMs); Allen-Bradley / Rockwell PLCs & HMIs; FANUC robotics, Cognex/Keyence vision, and shop-floor wiring.
• COMPANY STABILITY & CULTURE: Rapidly expanding custom automation leader with an average employee tenure of 5–6 years, a proven stable job history standard, and a zero-layoff track record.
• REQUIREMENTS / COMPLIANCE: Associate (A.S.) or Bachelor’s (B.S.) Degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation, or related field; US Citizen or Green Card holder; permanent residence within daily commuting radius of Oak Creek / South Milwaukee area.

If you are a talented Electrical Controls Engineer looking to step out of a narrow, repetitive role at a massive conglomerate, this direct-hire integration seat offers the ultimate blend of autonomy, technical variety, and long-term growth. Operating as a premier, highly agile custom automation integrator in the Greater Milwaukee area, this company designs and builds ground-up robotic cells and custom machinery for diverse manufacturing applications across North America.

Unlike corporate environments that restrict engineering to rigid siloes, this team embraces a true “end-to-end ownership” culture. You will own complete electrical projects from scratch—taking initial concepts into AutoCAD schematics, designing panel layouts, generating full Bills of Materials (BOMs), executing logic programming, and overseeing final live commissioning. Backed by exceptional employee retention, an average tenure of 5–6 years, a zero-layoff history, and flexible scheduling, this is an ideal long-term home for an engineer seeking stable career progression and full project control.

What You Will Be Doing (Daily Responsibilities)

• Design Ground-Up Electrical Systems: Develop complete electrical schematics, power distribution layouts, safety circuits, and control architectures from scratch using AutoCAD / AutoCAD Electrical.
• Engineered Panel Layouts & BOM Generation: Create precise enclosure panel layouts and generate comprehensive Bills of Materials (BOMs) specifying component hardware, terminal blocks, disconnects, and field cabling.
• Program PLC & HMI Systems: Write, test, and optimize Allen-Bradley / Rockwell PLC control logic and HMI interface applications for non-repetitive, high-mix custom automation builds.
• Shop-Floor Hardware Validation: Participate directly in hands-on shop assembly and panel wiring, verifying low-level electrical connections and hardware integration prior to runoff.
• Integrate Vision & Robotics: Calibrate advanced 2D/3D vision platforms (Cognex, Keyence) and FANUC robotic cells for high-speed material handling, guidance, and part inspection.
• Targeted Field Commissioning: Conduct short, high-visibility client commissioning trips (10–15% travel) to oversee system integration, startup, and customer handoff.

What We Are Looking For (Requirements & Qualifications)

• Degree Credential: Associate Degree (A.S.) or Bachelor’s Degree (B.S.) in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Automation, or Mechatronics.
• 3+ Years Ground-Up Electrical Design: Verifiable track record creating complete industrial electrical schematics and control circuits from scratch using AutoCAD / AutoCAD Electrical.
• 3+ Years Panel Layout & Enclosure Design: Demonstrated experience designing physical control panel layouts, spatial component placements, and enclosure configurations.
• 3+ Years BOM Creation: Hands-on expertise generating detailed, accurate Bills of Materials (BOMs) from scratch for complex automated systems.
• PLC & HMI Programming Depth: Verifiable hands-on experience programming Allen-Bradley / Rockwell PLCs and configuring HMI control systems for industrial machinery.
• Stable Employment Background: Demonstrated history of solid job stability, career progression, and long-term commitment with previous employers.
• Light Travel Capability: Willingness and ability to travel 10–15% domestically for client startups and system commissioning.
• Location & Authorization: Must reside within a comfortable daily commuting distance of the Oak Creek / South Milwaukee, WI area, and hold US Citizenship or a Green Card.

Preferred Technical Assets (Bonus Skills)

• FANUC Robotics Integration: Experience programming, teaching paths, or interfacing FANUC robotic arms alongside PLC cell controllers.
• Advanced Vision & SCADA: Familiarity with Cognex, Keyence, FANUC iR Vision systems, or Ignition SCADA platforms.
• Hands-On Electrical Assembly: Direct experience with panel wiring, motor drive configuration (VFDs), and low-voltage field device wiring.