This contract-to-hire Controls Engineer role offers the opportunity to take ownership of controls projects from concept through completion for a medium-sized material handling organization in the Rockford area. You will primarily focus on software, including PLC and HMI programming, while collaborating closely with cross-functional teams and customers to deliver automated palletizing and material handling solutions. The position offers significant technical autonomy, exposure to modern tools and systems, and the potential to transition into a long-term strategic role as the business continues to grow.

• Own the controls portion of projects from initial concept through commissioning and completion.
• Develop PLC programs from scratch, primarily using Allen-Bradley platforms, leveraging libraries where appropriate while ensuring custom solutions meet project requirements.
• Design, configure, and program HMIs, ensuring intuitive operator interfaces and robust functionality.
• Read, edit, and create redlines within AutoCAD Electrical schematics to support design, troubleshooting, and documentation.
• Program industrial robots such as Yaskawa Motoman or Fanuc for palletizing and other automated applications, including pattern changes and system adjustments.
• Work within an ERP system (such as EPICOR) to manage project data, documentation, and workflow, ensuring accurate and timely updates.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams, including sales, project management, mechanical engineering, technicians, and electricians, to carry projects to successful completion.
• Travel to customer sites approximately 25–50% of the time (typically 30–40%) for commissioning, troubleshooting, and support activities.
• Interface directly with customers at their facilities, clearly explaining solutions, setting expectations, and maintaining strong professional relationships.
• Effectively communicate and manage scope changes at customer sites, such as expanded pattern change requests on palletizing systems, while maintaining project deadlines and deliverables.
• Participate in troubleshooting and resolving controls, electrical, and robotics issues both on-site and remotely.
• Support the design portion of projects when desired, contributing to electrical and controls design activities.
• Document controls logic, HMI configurations, and system changes thoroughly to support future maintenance and upgrades.
• Provide feedback and continuous improvement ideas related to controls standards, libraries, and processes.
• Work under the guidance of the engineering leadership team while contributing independently to multiple concurrent projects.

• Proven experience programming PLCs from scratch using Allen-Bradley platforms.
• Ability to read, edit, and create redlines within AutoCAD Electrical drawings and schematics.
• Experience working within an ERP system (EPICOR or similar) to support project execution and documentation.
• Ability to program industrial robots such as Motoman or Fanuc; proficiency in at least one of these is required.
• Comfort with 25–50% travel, typically around 30–40% of working days, to support customer sites and project needs.
• Demonstrated customer interface experience, including explaining technical solutions and setting expectations with stakeholders.
• Approximately 4–5 years of applicable controls engineering experience if no degree, or at least 2 years of experience with a BSEE.
• Hands-on experience with controls engineering, including automation, palletizing systems, robotics, and electrical troubleshooting.
• Proficiency in HMI programming and working with HMI platforms in an industrial environment.
• Experience with PLC troubleshooting, including diagnosing and resolving controls and electrical issues in the field.
• Ability to interpret and work from electrical schematics and related documentation.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, to collaborate with internal teams and customers.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects while maintaining focus on quality and deadlines.

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) is preferred.
• For candidates without a BSEE, 4–5 years of relevant controls engineering experience is desired; for candidates with a BSEE, at least 2 years of experience is desired.
• Experience with electrical design in addition to controls programming.
• Familiarity with Rockwell Automation platforms and Allen-Bradley PLCs beyond basic progra