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Manufacturing Engineer-Controls

Advastar

Sycamore, IL · Posted October 15, 2026

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  • Lean
  • Six Sigma
  • Autocad

About the job

#jobalert | DIRECT PLACEMENT | MANUFACTURING ENGINEER-CONTROLS | Sycamore, IL area

A century-plus manufacturer of large-scale industrial storage and containment equipment is hiring a Manufacturing Engineer – Controls for its Illinois facility. This is a senior, hands-on role: you'll own the automation and controls side of a fabrication and assembly operation that runs stamping presses, punch presses, fiber lasers, conveyance systems, and robotic equipment. You'll write and troubleshoot PLC code, redesign electrical schematics for machine modifications, and run capital projects from concept through installation. The team is lean enough that your work is visible plant-wide, and the parent organization has manufacturing sites across North America and Europe — for a candidate who wants ownership now with a path to bigger scope later.

Anticipated $115,000–$145,000, based on experience

Benefits include: Health, Vision, Dental, 401K w/ match

Overview

Own PLC, PMC, and TP program creation, editing, and troubleshooting across the plant floor

Redesign and modify electrical schematics for machine and equipment changes

Design, build, and document automation solutions and custom equipment

Develop and test tooling for work-holding, fixturing, and material handling

Run capital projects start to finish: layout, equipment selection, installation, commissioning

Improve existing manufacturing processes to cut cost and hold quality

Provide technical support to production and maintenance teams on new equipment

Train plant personnel on new processes and equipment

Preferred Skills/Experiences

Bachelor's degree in manufacturing engineering or mechanical engineering

5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience designing equipment, tooling, and fixtures

Hands-on experience with CNC equipment, punch presses, fiber lasers, robots, PLCs, and welding

PLC, robot, and sensor programming experience

Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and Six Sigma

Experience with facility layout, process design, PFMEA, and DOE

Proficiency with AutoCAD and Microsoft Office

Exposure to MRP systems

Ability to communicate from shop floor to executive level

Ability to lead cross-functional teams to project completion

Ability to travel up to 10%

KEYWORDS : manufacturing engineer, controls engineer, PLC programming, PMC programming, TP programming, Allen-Bradley, Rockwell Automation, Siemens, electrical schematics, control panel design, fixture design, tooling design, CNC, punch press, fiber laser, robotics, robot programming, automation equipment, capital projects, process improvement, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, DOE, PFMEA, AutoCAD, facility layout, DeKalb Illinois

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