Industrial Controls Technician

Industrial Controls Technician

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Location: Buffalo Grove, ILEmployment Type: Direct HireShift:1stCompensation:40-45/hr.
Position Overview
Sterling Engineering is seeking an experienced Industrial Controls Technician to support a highly automated manufacturing operation in Buffalo Grove, IL.
This position is ideal for a technically strong, hands-on controls professional who enjoys troubleshooting complex automated manufacturing equipment and resolving PLC, HMI, and industrial control system issues.
While titled Industrial Controls Technician, this role requires a level of technical expertise comparable to a junior Controls Engineer. The successful candidate will have extensive experience diagnosing and resolving controls-related problems in a manufacturing environment, with particular emphasis on PLC troubleshooting, Cognex vision systems, HMI interfaces, and industrial automation.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform advanced troubleshooting, diagnostics, and repair of PLC-controlled automated manufacturing equipment to minimize production downtime.- Troubleshoot PLC logic, I/O, communication faults, and control system issues to identify and resolve equipment failures.- Diagnose and troubleshoot HMI systems, operator interfaces, RFID systems, and related industrial communication devices.- Troubleshoot, maintain, and support Cognex vision inspection systems, including cameras, sensors, and associated software.- Perform troubleshooting and maintenance of servo motors, servo drives, variable frequency drives (VFDs), and motion control systems.- Support PLC and HMI software modifications, upgrades, and functional verification activities.- Diagnose industrial networking and communication issues between PLCs, HMIs, sensors, drives, and automated equipment.- Read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, PLC programs, and technical documentation.- Partner with engineering, maintenance, and production teams to identify root causes of recurring equipment failures and implement corrective actions.- Provide hands-on technical support for complex automated production lines during night shift operations.- Assist with equipment upgrades, automation improvements, and qualification activities.- Document troubleshooting activities, repairs, and system modifications in accordance with manufacturing and quality requirements.- Provide technical guidance and support to maintenance and automation technicians when resolving complex controls issues.- Maintain compliance with established safety procedures, including electrical safety and equipment troubleshooting protocols.
Required Qualifications
- **Strong hands-on experience troubleshooting PLC-controlled equipment in an industrial manufacturing environment.- Approximately 6+ years of industrial controls, automation, or related technical troubleshooting experience preferred.- Demonstrated ability to diagnose PLC faults, troubleshoot ladder logic, and resolve controls-related production issues.- Experience troubleshooting HMI systems, operator interfaces, and industrial communication devices.- Experience working with Cognex vision systems or similar industrial machine vision technologies.- Working knowledge of servo drives, VFDs, motion control, sensors, and industrial automation equipment.- Ability to interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and PLC logic.- Experience supporting high-volume or highly automated manufacturing operations.- Strong analytical troubleshooting skills and the ability to work independently during off-shift production.- Associate degree, military technical training, or vocational training in Industrial Controls, Automation, Electrical Technology, or a related discipline preferred.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell PLC platforms, including RSLogix, Studio 5000/Logix Designer, and FactoryTalk.- Experience with Siemens S7 PLC systems.- Experience with Cognex In-Sight vision systems and associated software.- Familiarity with Ignition or similar industrial HMI/SCADA platforms.- Experience troubleshooting RFID devices, industrial networks, and automated inspection equipment.- Background in medical device manufacturing, regulated manufacturing, or other high-volume automated production environments.- Experience performing PLC/HMI software modifications and supporting automation upgrades.- Experience supporting equipment qualification, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive hourly compensation up to the low $50s/hr, depending on experience.- Additional night shift differential.- Direct-hire employment.- Medical, dental, and vision insurance.- 401(k) with company matching.- Paid vacation and sick time.- Life insurance and short-term/long-term disability coverage. xzbcwsv - Tuition reimbursement.