Job Description
Title: Controls Engineer
Location: Germantown, WI
Hire Type: Contract
Compensation: $60/hr
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:
The Controls Engineer will be responsible for developing, programming, commissioning, troubleshooting, and supporting automated manufacturing systems. Strong experience with Allen-Bradley and Beckhoff PLC platforms is highly valued, with the ability to work across both systems.
Responsibilities:
- Develop, modify, and troubleshoot PLC control programs for automated manufacturing equipment.
- Program and support Allen-Bradley PLCs, including ControlLogix and CompactLogix platforms.
- Develop and troubleshoot Beckhoff PLC applications, utilizing TwinCAT.
- Design, develop, and integrate machine controls, motion systems, robotics, HMIs, and other automation technologies.
- Create and modify electrical control systems, I/O configurations, and machine sequences.
- Perform equipment startup, commissioning, debugging, and validation both in-house and at customer locations as needed.
- Troubleshoot electrical, PLC, HMI, motion, networking, and automation-related issues.
- Work closely with mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, and engineering teams to develop reliable automated equipment.
- Interpret electrical schematics, control panel drawings, I/O documentation, and machine specifications.
- Assist with the integration of sensors, servos, VFDs, safety systems, robotics, and other industrial automation components.
- Develop and maintain technical documentation, including PLC programs, electrical documentation, and operating procedures.
- Provide ongoing support and improvements to existing automated systems.
- Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on machine performance, reliability, safety, and efficiency.
- Assist with customer support and troubleshooting when required.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
- 3+ years of controls/automation engineering experience in a manufacturing or machine-building environment.
- Strong Allen-Bradley PLC programming experience.
- Experience programming Beckhoff PLCs using TwinCAT.
- Understanding of industrial communication networks and machine-level controls.
- Experience with HMIs, VFDs, servo systems, and industrial automation.
- Ability to read and understand electrical schematics.
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work effectively with mechanical and electrical engineering teams.
- Willingness to participate in equipment commissioning and startup activities.
Preferred Experience:
- ControlLogix / CompactLogix
- Beckhoff TwinCAT 3
- EtherNet/IP and EtherCAT
- Servo and motion control
- HMI development
- Robotics integration
- Machine safety systems
- Electrical panel design
- Industrial networking
- Vision systems
- Experience with automated manufacturing or custom machinery
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.
Numbers & Facts
| Location | Germantown, WI |
| Industry | Staffing/Employment Agencies |
| Company Size | 500 to 999 employees |
| Year Founded | 1969 |
| Website | http://www.sterling-engineering.com |
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.
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