Manufacturing Engineer - Direct Hire

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

Job summary

Sterling Engineering Inc. in Buffalo Grove, IL is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer focused on controls and automation to support a highly automated medical device operation.

The role emphasizes troubleshooting and optimizing high-speed production systems, PLC-controlled equipment, and machine vision, in collaboration with engineering, quality, and equipment vendors. The ideal candidate has hands-on automation experience, PLC troubleshooting, HMI/SCADA familiarity, and knowledge of Allen-Bradley

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline
• Experience supporting high-speed automated manufacturing equipment
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting PLC-controlled machinery
• Experience with Allen-Bradley and Siemens PLC platforms
• Strong knowledge of industrial automation systems and manufacturing software
• Experience supporting Cognex machine vision systems
• Regulated manufacturing environment experience (medical device/pharma/food)
• Strong communication across engineering, quality, operations, and vendors

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and support high-speed automated manufacturing equipment focusing on controls and automation
• Diagnose PLC, HMI, and automation issues to minimize downtime and improve performance
• Support and optimize machine vision systems, including Cognex equipment
• Work with Allen-Bradley and Siemens PLC platforms to improve systems
• Collaborate with engineering teams, quality, maintenance, and vendors to implement improvements
• Support automated manufacturing software, controls integration, and system performance
• Participate in equipment upgrades, validation, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Analyze equipment performance and drive improvements in OEE
• Develop technical documentation and troubleshooting procedures
• Provide engineering support for new automation projects

Skills

PLC troubleshooting

Industrial automation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Controls/Mechatronics

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLC

Siemens PLC

Cognex vision systems

Job description

Job Description

Job Description Manufacturing Engineer – Controls & Automation

Location: Buffalo Grove, IL

Hire Type: Contract

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.