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Controls Engineer

Cullerton Group

Rock Falls, IL

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JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$75,000–$100,000 Per Year
SKILLS
Allen-Bradley, Assembly Equipment, AutoCAD, Best Practices, CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing), Commission Controls, Commissioning, Communication Skills, Control Engineering, Control Systems, ControlLogix, Cross-Functional, Customer Support/Service, Customer/Client Research, Detail Oriented, Documentation, Electrical Components, Electrical Design, Electrical Engineering, Electricity, Emerging Technology, Human Machine Interface (HMI), Identify Issues, Industrial Development, Input/Output, Instrumentation, Organizational Skills, Performance Management, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Production Support, Production Systems, Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), Project/Program Management, Schematics, Solenoids, Startup, Structured Programming Methodologies, Support Documentation, System Integration (SI), System Start-Up, System Validation, Systems Administration/Management, Team Player, Technical Drawing, Technical Support, Testing, Time Management, Validation Testing, Willing to Travel, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Rock Falls, IL
POSTED
30+ days ago
Cullerton Group has a new opportunity for a Controls Engineer in Rock Falls, IL. The work will be done on-site. The is a permanent job. Compensation is $75K - $100K base salary based on experience. The position also includes profit sharing and a bonus plan.  Job Description – Controls Engineer
Location: Sterling, IL (Onsite – Monday through Friday)
Reports to: Engineering Manager
Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Travel: Approximately 25%
Position Overview
We are seeking a Controls Engineer to support the design, development, and commissioning of industrial control systems for weighing, batching, and material handling applications. This role will focus heavily on PLC and HMI programming, system startup, and troubleshooting, both in-house and at customer sites.

This position is ideal for an early-career to intermediate-level engineer with hands-on experience in Rockwell / Allen Bradley PLCs and HMIs, who is comfortable working in both a shop and field environment. While familiarity with electrical systems and drawings is important, this role is not heavily focused on electrical design, as dedicated resources support that function.

The Controls Engineer will work closely with project managers, production teams, and customers to ensure systems are delivered, tested, and commissioned successfully.
Key Responsibilities PLC & HMI Development
  • Develop, program, and test PLC and HMI applications for industrial systems
  • Utilize Rockwell / Allen Bradley platforms including Studio 5000, RSLogix, and FactoryTalk
System Checkout & Commissioning
  • Perform in-house testing and validation of completed control systems
  • Support onsite startup, commissioning, and system integration at customer facilities
  • Provide hands-on troubleshooting during installation and operation
Troubleshooting & Technical Support
  • Diagnose and resolve system issues related to PLCs, HMIs, and electrical components
  • Provide support to customers both onsite and remotely (phone/email)
Documentation & Project Support
  • Create and maintain detailed project documentation, including:
    • Sequence of operations
    • I/O lists and equipment lists
    • Operator manuals and instructions
  • Assist with approval packages and project deliverables
Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work with production technicians during system assembly and installation
  • Coordinate with vendors and customers to gather technical information
  • Support updates to production drawings when needed using E-Plan, DraftSight, or AutoCAD
Continuous Learning & Improvement
  • Stay current with emerging control technologies and industry best practices
  • Contribute ideas to improve system performance, efficiency, and reliability
Qualifications Education & Experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field preferred
  • Entry/Associate level: 2+ years of relevant experience
  • Intermediate level (preferred): 3–6+ years of experience in controls engineering or similar role
  • Hands-on experience with PLC and HMI programming, including commissioning of control systems
Technical Skills
  • Strong experience with Rockwell / Allen Bradley platforms:
    • PLCs (CompactLogix, ControlLogix)
    • HMIs (FactoryTalk ME/SE)
  • Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and technical drawings
  • Familiarity with industrial controls and instrumentation such as:
    • Load cells, pressure sensors, level sensors, limit switches, solenoids
  • Exposure to CAD tools (E-Plan, DraftSight, AutoCAD) is a plus
  • Experience with Ignition or structured text programming is a plus
Soft Skills & Work Style
  • Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities
  • Able to work independently with minimal supervision
  • Strong organizational and time management skills
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills
  • Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities
Work Environment & Requirements
  • Onsite role (no remote or hybrid options)
  • Willingness to travel approximately 25% for commissioning and support
  • Ability to work additional hours or weekends as needed
  • Must be authorized to work in the U.S. (no visa sponsorship available)
Compensation
  • Entry/Associate Level: $70,000 – $85,000 base salary
  • Intermediate Level: $85,000 – $100,000 base salary
  • Additional compensation includes:
    • Profit sharing / bonus plan
    • Travel and service incentive programs
Additional Notes
This position has been created to support growing project demands and evolving team structure. The role focuses on hands-on controls engineering work rather than project management responsibilities, offering a strong opportunity for technical growth and development within a collaborative engineering environment.

About the Company

C

Cullerton Group