Job Description
Job Description
Job Description
Controls Engineer – Automation
Location: Elgin, IL
Job Type: Full-Time
Compensation: Up to $160,000 annually (based on experience)
Job Type: Full-Time
Compensation: Up to $160,000 annually (based on experience)
Overview
We are seeking a highly motivated Controls Engineer to join an Automation Development team focused on designing and building custom automation and robotic equipment for high-volume manufacturing environments. This role is hands-on and end-to-end—you’ll own projects from concept and proof-of-principle through programming, debug, testing, and factory integration.
This position is ideal for someone who thrives in fast-paced, custom machine build environments, enjoys learning new technologies, and takes pride in delivering robust, high-performing automation solutions.
What You’ll Do
- Design and implement control systems for custom automation and robotic equipment
- Support rapid prototyping efforts using in-house fabricated parts
- Participate in machine risk assessments and ensure compliance with safety standards
- Review electrical schematics and support controls hardware architecture decisions
- Create application design documentation, flowcharts, and participate in software design reviews
- Program and configure automation systems including:
- PLCs
- HMIs / SCADA
- Servo systems
- Robotics
- Machine vision systems
- Test and verify electrical wiring (safety circuits, I/O, communications, etc.)
- Debug and validate software and hardware to meet performance and quality requirements
- Collaborate closely with mechanical engineers and assembly teams to ensure proper machine setup and alignment
- Execute acceptance testing and support equipment installation and integration at manufacturing facilities
- Travel up to 25–30% to support factory installations and system launches
What You’ll Bring
- 1+ years of experience in custom automation or machine build environments
- PLC programming experience
- Siemens (preferred)
- Rockwell Automation (secondary)
- HMI / SCADA experience
- WinCC (preferred)
- Ignition (secondary)
- Experience with controls hardware including sensors, remote I/O, servos, VFDs, machine vision systems, barcode readers, and safety devices
- Strong understanding of industrial networking protocols (Profinet, Ethernet/IP, EtherCAT, TCP/IP, etc.)
- Robotics experience
- FANUC (preferred)
- KUKA (secondary)
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent hands-on experience
Why This Role
- Work on custom, one-of-a-kind automation systems—no cookie-cutter projects
- High ownership and visibility from concept through commissioning
- Collaborative engineering environment with strong technical talent
- Exposure to cutting-edge automation, robotics, and manufacturing technologies
Compensation & Benefits
- Base salary up to $160,000, depending on experience
- Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid time off, and holidays
- Additional benefits and perks discussed during the interview process
- on 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 | Elgin, IL |
| 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.
Skills
- Acceptance Testingunmatched
- Automationunmatched
- Automation Engineeringunmatched
- Automation Systemsunmatched
- Bar Code Softwareunmatched
- Code Reviewsunmatched
- Control Engineeringunmatched
- Control Systemsunmatched
- Debugging Skillsunmatched
- Debugging Toolsunmatched
- Documentationunmatched
- Electrical Engineeringunmatched
- Electrical Wiringunmatched
- Electricityunmatched
- Ethernetunmatched
- Hardware Administrationunmatched
- Hardware Architectureunmatched
- Home Automationunmatched
- IP (Internet Protocol)unmatched
- Input/Outputunmatched
- Integration Testingunmatched
- Maintain Complianceunmatched
- Manufacturingunmatched
- Mechanical Assemblyunmatched
- Mechanical Engineeringunmatched
- Network Protocolsunmatched
- Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)unmatched
- Rapid Prototypingunmatched
- Risk Analysisunmatched
- Roboticsunmatched
- Safety Complianceunmatched
- Safety Standardsunmatched
- Schematicsunmatched
- Software Designunmatched
- Software Validationunmatched
- Systems Administration/Managementunmatched
- TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)unmatched
- Team Playerunmatched
- Testingunmatched
- Willing to Travelunmatched
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