Highlights
This is a hands-on engineering role supporting the development, programming, debugging, and commissioning of complex automated equipment. 5+ years of controls engineering experience in custom automation, machine building, systems integration, or a related manufacturing environment.
Numbers & Facts
| Location | Elgin, IL |
| Industry | Staffing/Employment Agencies |
| Salary | $45–$65 Per Hour |
| Company Size | 500 to 999 employees |
| Year Founded | 1969 |
| Website | http://www.sterling-engineering.com |
Description
Title: Controls Engineer
Location: Elgin, IL
Hire Type: Contract to direct hire
Compensation: $45/hr to $65/hr based on experience
Benefits: As a contract employee of Sterling, you are eligible to receive a Full Employee Benefits Package that includes paid time off, paid holidays, 3 medical plans to choose from, dental & vision plans, 401(k), and an Employee Stock Ownership (ESOP) plan.
Summary:
We are seeking a Controls Engineer with 5+ years of experience designing, programming, and commissioning automated machinery. The ideal candidate will have Allen Bradley PLC experience and a background in custom automation, machine building, or systems integration.
This is a hands-on engineering role supporting the development, programming, debugging, and commissioning of complex automated equipment.
Responsibilities:
- Design, program, debug, and commission controls systems for custom automated equipment.
- Develop and modify Allen-Bradley PLC and HMI programs.
- Support electrical controls design, panel layouts, I/O development, and machine sequencing.
- Troubleshoot PLC, HMI, servo, motion, robotics, and other automation-related issues.
- Participate in machine build, integration, debug, FAT, SAT, and customer commissioning activities.
- Work closely with mechanical and electrical engineers to ensure seamless machine integration.
- Interpret electrical schematics, control drawings, and machine specifications.
- Develop and maintain controls documentation, standards, and programming practices.
- Ensure equipment meets customer specifications, safety requirements, and applicable controls standards.
- Provide technical leadership and mentoring to less-experienced controls engineers and technicians.
- Travel as needed for customer installations and commissioning.
Qualifications:
- 5+ years of controls engineering experience in custom automation, machine building, systems integration, or a related manufacturing environment.
- Extensive Allen Bradley PLC programming experience.
- Experience with Allen Bradley HMIs, motion/servo controls, and industrial automation.
- Ability to troubleshoot and commission complex automated machinery.
- Strong understanding of electrical controls, machine sequencing, and industrial automation.
- Experience with GM controls standards is a plus.
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related field is preferred.
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
- Comfortable working in a hands-on, onsite engineering environment.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.
About Company
Sterling Engineering has been a trusted partner for engineering, project management, and staffing solutions for over five decades. We provide exceptional engineering/technical recruitment and engineering project services to clients nationwide:
- Engineering & Technical Recruitment - With our focus on engineering, technical, and IT, Sterling has the in-depth knowledge, industry expertise, and robust employee pipeline it takes to rapidly find talent for even the most difficult to fill positions. Sterling’s extensive recruitment methodology allows us to engage the most talented employees in the marketplace. We offer exciting work and career-building opportunities for our candidates, along with expert support at every step of the process.
- Engineering Project Services – Our experienced, multi-disciplined team of project managers, engineers, and designers, led by licensed Professional Engineers (PE), provide project management, engineering, design, and Commissioning, Qualification, and Validation (CQV) to manufacturing, OEM, and R&D customers. We work on complex, highly technical projects across a number of industry sectors, and our ability to scale and seamlessly integrate at multiple levels of your organization is what differentiates us.
Sterling offers a unique combination of engineering solutions and Best of Staffing level service to help our clients and talent achieve their goals.