Controls Engineer
Sterling Engineering Inc. · Germantown, WI
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 15 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at Sterling Engineering Inc. (industrial) in Germantown, WI. Develop, modify, and troubleshoot PLC control programs for automated manufacturing equipment.
- They ask for
- 3+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), PLC, Robotics, Automation
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in Wisconsin: typical posted base $86k–$127k.
Median of the low and high ends of 11 live postings that list pay, out of 27 controls engineer openings in Wisconsin, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Wisconsin plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 26 other live controls postings in Wisconsin.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (3+ vs 5+)
Typical $86k–$127k, from 11 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ PLC 67%
- ✓ Automation 67%
- Root cause 44%
- ✓ Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 33%
- ✓ Robotics 30%
- Team leadership 26%
✓ = 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 does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- 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
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
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
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.