Manufacturing Engineer

Sterling Engineering; Buffalo Grove (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling Engineering in Buffalo Grove, IL seeks a Manufacturing Engineer with a strong controls and automation background to support highly automated medical device manufacturing

The role focuses on troubleshooting and optimizing high-speed production systems, supporting PLC-controlled equipment, machine vision, and manufacturing software. The ideal candidate has hands-on automation experience, PLC troubleshooting, and knowledge of Cognex vision systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Experience supporting high-speed automated manufacturing equipment.
• Hands-on troubleshooting of PLC-controlled machinery (Allen-Bradley and/or Siemens).
• Experience with Cognex machine vision systems.
• Knowledge of industrial automation systems and controls architecture.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and support high-speed automated manufacturing equipment focused on controls and automation.
• Diagnose PLC, HMI, and automation issues to minimize downtime and improve production.
• Support and optimize machine vision systems, including Cognex equipment.
• Work with AB/Siemens PLC platforms to troubleshoot and improve systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and vendors to implement improvements.
• Support automated manufacturing software, controls integration, and system performance.
• Participate in equipment upgrades, commissioning, validation, and continuous improvement.
• Analyze equipment performance and implement corrective actions to improve OEE.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation and troubleshooting procedures.

Skills

PLC troubleshooting

Industrial automation

Cognex machine vision

HMI systems

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Siemens PLCs

Equipment reliability

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Siemens PLCs

Cognex vision systems

HMI software

Job description

Manufacturing Engineer – Controls & Automation

Compensation: 85k-105k

Schedule: Full-Time | 100% Onsite

Position Overview

We are seeking a Manufacturing Engineer with a strong controls and automation background to support a highly automated medical device manufacturing operation in Buffalo Grove, IL. This position will focus on troubleshooting and optimizing high-speed automated production systems, supporting PLC-controlled equipment, machine vision systems, and manufacturing software while partnering closely with internal engineering teams, quality, and external equipment vendors.

The ideal candidate will possess hands-on experience with industrial automation, PLC troubleshooting, HMI systems, and machine vision technologies. This individual will play a key role in improving equipment reliability, supporting new equipment initiatives, and driving continuous improvement across automated manufacturing operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and support high-speed automated manufacturing equipment with a focus on controls, automation, and manufacturing systems.
• Diagnose PLC, HMI, and automation-related issues to minimize equipment downtime and improve production performance.
• Support and optimize machine vision systems, including Cognex inspection equipment.
• Work with Allen-Bradley and Siemens PLC platforms to troubleshoot, modify, and improve automated manufacturing systems.
• Collaborate with customer engineering teams, internal manufacturing engineering, quality, maintenance, and equipment vendors to resolve technical issues and implement process improvements.
• Support automated manufacturing software, controls integration, and system performance optimization.
• Participate in equipment upgrades, commissioning, validation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Analyze equipment performance and implement corrective actions to improve reliability, throughput, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, troubleshooting procedures, and engineering change documentation.
• Provide engineering support for new automation projects and manufacturing process improvements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Experience supporting high-speed automated manufacturing equipment.
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting PLC-controlled machinery.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley and/or Siemens PLC platforms.
• Strong knowledge of industrial automation systems, controls architecture, and manufacturing software.
• Experience supporting Cognex machine vision systems.
• Ability to troubleshoot electrical controls, automation hardware, sensors, and production equipment.
• Experience working within a regulated manufacturing environment such as medical device, pharmaceutical, or food manufacturing.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively across engineering, quality, operations, and external vendors.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with HMI and SCADA systems.
• Knowledge of servo systems, industrial networking, and motion control.
• Experience supporting automated inspection and serialization systems.
• Familiarity with equipment validation and change control within regulated manufacturing.
• Experience working with OEMs and equipment suppliers during troubleshooting and system improvements.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands-on automation engineer who enjoys solving complex controls and manufacturing systems challenges. They have strong PLC troubleshooting skills, experience with Cognex vision systems, and thrive in a collaborative environment where they work closely with customer engineering teams, quality, and equipment vendors to maximize equipment reliability and production performance. Experience supporting high-speed automated manufacturing within a medical device, pharmaceutical, or food manufacturing environment is highly preferred.