Controls Engineer
Sterling Engineering Inc. · Downers Grove, IL
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Recently
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at Sterling Engineering Inc. (industrial) in Downers Grove, IL.
- Tools it names
- PLC, Robotics, Automation
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in Illinois: typical posted base $89k–$126k.
Median of the low and high ends of 26 live postings that list pay, out of 38 controls engineer openings in Illinois, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Illinois plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 37 other live controls postings in Illinois.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Typical $89k–$126k, from 26 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ PLC 82%
- ✓ Automation 82%
- ✓ Robotics 53%
- Root cause 29%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
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
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Sterling Engineering Inc.
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 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
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 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
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.
Full description from Sterling Engineering Inc.As posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Key responsibilities
include designing electrical control systems, programming PLCs and HMIs, configuring servo drives and motion control systems, and collaborating with mechanical engineering, manufacturing, and customers throughout the project lifecycle. The Controls Engineer will also provide onsite startup support, testing, and technical assistance to ensure successful system performance.
Qualified candidates should have experience with PLC programming platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar, along with HMI development, industrial networking, and troubleshooting automated equipment. Experience with servo systems, robotics, and custom machine automation is highly preferred.
This is an excellent opportunity to work on innovative, custom automation projects in a collaborative engineering environment.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
We are seeking a talented Controls Engineer to design, program, and support custom automation systems for a variety of industrial applications. This role will be responsible for developing PLC and HMI software, integrating controls hardware, and supporting system startup, commissioning, and troubleshooting.