Controls Engineer

Job Description

Title : Controls Engineer
Location : Rockford, IL
Hire Type : Direct Hire
Compensation : $110,000 to $130,000 based on experience
Benefits : Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance, 401k, Paid Time Off

About the Role:

Seeking an experienced Controls Engineer to design, program, and commission custom automated equipment for a variety of industrial customers. This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on engineer who enjoys taking projects from electrical design and programming through installation, startup, and customer acceptance. The ideal candidate has strong Allen Bradley/Rockwell controls experience, along with a solid understanding of servo motion, vision systems, electrical troubleshooting, and automated machinery.

What You'll Do:

• Design electrical and control systems for custom automation equipment.
• Develop and program Allen Bradley PLCs, HMIs, and servo motion systems using Rockwell Automation software.
• Create, modify, and maintain electrical schematics, control documentation, and system drawings.
• Troubleshoot electrical, controls, and automation issues during development and production.
• Commission automated equipment at customer facilities and support equipment startup.
• Work closely with electrical, mechanical, and engineering teams to deliver complete automation solutions.
• Support and troubleshoot servo motion and machine vision systems.
• Mentor junior controls engineers and contribute to the development of engineering best practices.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to improve machine performance, reliability, and efficiency.
• Travel to customer sites for installation, commissioning, and startup activities - up to 25%.

What We're Looking For:

• 5+ years of Controls Engineering experience, preferably within custom automation, machine building, or industrial manufacturing.
• Strong experience with Allen Bradley PLCs and Rockwell Automation software.
• Experience programming and troubleshooting PLCs, HMIs, and servo motion systems.
• Experience with machine vision systems.
• Strong electrical troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to read and develop electrical schematics.
• Comfortable working hands-on with automated equipment during startup and commissioning.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% for customer commissioning and startup.

Why Join?

• Work on custom automation projects from concept through commissioning.
• Gain exposure to a variety of advanced automation technologies.
• Take ownership of challenging controls projects and see your work come to life.
• Opportunity to mentor others and grow into a technical leadership role.
• Collaborative engineering environment with a strong focus on innovation and continuous improvement.

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.

Meet Your Recruiter

Steve Stabley
Principal Recruiter

Steve Stabley is a Recruiter at Sterling Engineering with close to 30 years of technical recruiting experience, including more than 23 years with Sterling. Throughout his career, Steve has built deep expertise in the automation and manufacturing industries, helping clients identify and hire highly skilled engineering and technical talent.

Steve has successfully sourced and placed engineers and technicians with many of the leading automation companies throughout the greater Chicagoland area. His industry knowledge, long-standing relationships, and understanding of technical hiring needs allow him to connect qualified candidates with opportunities where they can make an immediate and lasting impact.

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About Rockford, IL

Ready to take your career to new heights in Rockford, Illinois? Explore our job opportunities in this vibrant city and uncover endless possibilities for growth and success. Nestled in the heart of Winnebago County, Rockford blends urban convenience with a laid-back Midwest charm. From iconic landmarks like the Anderson Japanese Gardens and the Coronado Performing Arts Center to the mouth-watering cuisine at Beef-A-Roo and the exciting games hosted by the Rockford IceHogs at the BMO Harris Bank Center, this city has something for everyone. The Rockford region boasts a thriving arts scene, with galleries like the Rockford Art Museum and the Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden providing inspiration at every turn. Discover your next career move in Rockford, where opportunities abound and a unique culture awaits!