ShopFloorJobs
Abbott logo

Electrical Controls Engineer - Sturgis, MI Plant

Abbott · Sturgis, MI

Apply on Abbott ↗
Level
Engineer
Team
Controls
Base pay
$61k–$123k
Degree
Required
Experience asked
70+ years
Industry
Medical devices
Posted
3 days ago

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level controls role at Abbott (medical devices) in Sturgis, MI. , has been impacting its community while producing products that provide essential nutrition to millions of families around the world.

They ask for
70+ years · degree required
Tools it names
FDA / GMP, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), PLC, Automation, EHS / safety
Base pay
$61k–$123k
Day to day
some off-shift / weekend coverage

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

How this role compares

Against 55 other live controls postings in Michigan.

Base pay
About 19% below similar roles

Typical $85k–$143k, from 16 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
More than usual (70+ vs 5+)

Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ Automation 77%
  • Robotics 64%
  • ✓ PLC 61%
  • ✓ New product launch 32%
  • ✓ Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 30%
  • AutoCAD 23%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for FDA / GMP, Cost reduction, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 70+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone on the team first.

At a glance

Off-shift / weekend coverageTraining programPromotion path mentioned

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

  1. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Abbott

    Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.

  2. 2

    Send a short, curious note

    One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.

  3. 3

    Turn a reply into a short call

    Questions worth asking about this team:

    • What does a normal week look like on your team?
    • How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
    • How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
  4. 4

    Apply with someone vouching for you

    If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.

  5. 5

    Bring proof to the interview

    One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

This plant: Abbott in Sturgis

3 other open roles at this site.

Full description from AbbottAs posted on their careers site.Show

Required Qualifications

  • ✓Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Electrical, Computer, Chemical, or related field) or equivalent work experience
  • ✓2+ years of engineering, automation, or project management experience (or advanced education equivalent)
  • ✓Experience troubleshooting industrial electrical and automation systems in a manufacturing environment, including PLC-controlled equipment, motor controls, instrumentation, VFDs, and electrical distribution systems.
  • ✓Experience troubleshooting and solving moderately complex technical problems
  • ✓Experience with PLC programming (Allen Bradley, Modicon/Schneider Electric)
  • ✓Strong understanding of engineering principles, practices, and procedures
  • ✓Knowledge of National Electric Code (NEC) and NFPA 70E
  • ✓Strong communication skills (written and verbal) and ability to collaborate across teams
  • ✓Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work within defined pro
Show full description ↓

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Job description

Working at Abbott

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:

  • •Production areas that are clean, well-lit and temperature-controlled
  • •Training and career development , with onboarding programs for new employees and tuition assistance
  • •Financial security through competitive compensation, incentives and retirement plan
  • •Health care and well-being programs including medical, dental, vision, wellness and occupational health programs, Medical Benefits start day 1
  • •Vacation – 120 hours of accrued vacation (1st yr is prorated) + vacation buy program + 3 personal days + 10 paid holidays
  • •Retiree Healthcare program
  • •Robust 401(k) retirement savings with a generous company match
  • •Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
  • •A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
  • •A stable company with a record of strong financial performance and history of being actively involved in local communities
  • •A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

The Opportunity

This position works out of our Sturgis, MI location in the Abbott Nutrition division. Our Nutrition business develops science-based nutrition products for people of all ages, from helping babies and children grow to keeping adult bodies strong and active. Millions of people around the world count on our leading brands – including Similac®, PediaSure®, Pedialyte®, Ensure®, and Glucerna® – to help them get the nutrients they need to live their healthiest lives.

For over 70 years, Abbott’s Sturgis, Mich. , has been impacting its community while producing products that provide essential nutrition to millions of families around the world. Working here, you’ll feel part of a family that is dedicated to making a difference and helping others.

What You’ll Do

As an Electrical Controls Engineer, you will support manufacturing operations by troubleshooting, maintaining, and improving plant electrical and automation systems. The role focuses on equipment reliability, electrical troubleshooting, controls support, and continuous improvement initiatives that improve safety, quality, and production performance. You will work closely with maintenance, operations, and engineering teams to reduce downtime, optimize manufacturing equipment, and lead electrical and controls projects throughout the facility.

  • •Design, implement, and maintain electrical systems, control systems, and automation solutions for plant operations
  • •Support installation, startup, and commissioning of manufacturing equipment and electrical upgrades
  • •Provide technical support for manufacturing, including new product introductions, equipment startups, and process optimization
  • •Troubleshoot complex system issues and develop innovative solutions to improve performance and reliability
  • •Troubleshoot and support plant electrical systems, including motor control centers (MCCs), variable frequency drives (VFDs), sensors, instrumentation, safety circuits, and control panels.
  • •Program and support PLCs (Allen Bradley, Modicon), SCADA systems (GE IFIX), HMI platforms (FactoryTalk, Ignition), and data historians (OSIsoft)
  • •Maintain and improve PLC-based control systems to support equipment reliability and manufacturing performance.
  • •Lead and manage capital projects, including scope definition, scheduling, and coordination with internal teams and external vendors
  • •Develop and maintain engineering documentation such as specifications, drawings, validation records, and change control documentation
  • •Drive cost reduction and productivity improvement initiatives through process enhancements and new technologies
  • •Monitor plant performance, identify improvement opportunities, and respond to production issues in real time
  • •Provide training and technical guidance to operators, technicians, and maintenance personnel
  • •Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, GMP standards, engineering standards, and EHS policies
  • •Collaborate cross-functionally with production, quality, R&D, and engineering teams
  • •Lead or support project teams and coordinate the efforts of technicians, contractors, and external resources

You’ll be accountable for meeting our compliance standards including FDA, OSHA and Abbott policies and procedures.

More Controls roles nearby