System Technology, Inc. is seeking an experienced Controls Engineer II to join our electrical engineering department as a upper mid/senior-level, hands-on controls engineer with advanced expertise in programming, electrical design, machine integration, startup, troubleshooting, and field commissioning. This individual will serve as a key technical resource within the electrical engineering team, supporting the continued growth of our conveyor, packaging, and food manufacturing automation capabilities while contributing mentorship, leadership, and innovation to the rest of the team.
The Controls Engineer II will work closely with two other Controls Engineers as well as the Engineering Department Manager and cross-functional teams to support projects from concept through startup and customer handoff. This role is heavily project-oriented and offers the unique opportunity to be involved in the full lifecycle of highly customized automation systems from start to finish.
A technology driven forward thinker with a hunger for automation advancement would be a good fit in our organization. We are looking for an entrepreneurial-minded engineer who enjoys problem solving, innovation, R&D, and helping contribute new ideas, processes, and technical expertise to a growing organization.
Relocation assistance will be considered for the right candidate.
About System Technology, Inc.
System Technology, Inc. (STI) has proudly served the food manufacturing industry for over 34 years, specializing in conveyor systems, automated packaging equipment, and fully integrated end-of-line automation solutions for bakery and food production environments.
Since coming under new ownership in 2023, STI has continued investing in growth, innovation, technology, and people. While we maintain the agility and close-knit culture of a smaller company, we continue to expand our capabilities and strengthen our position as a trusted automation partner providing automated material handling solutions to major food manufacturing customers across North America.
At the heart of our success is a highly efficient team that truly works together to deliver outstanding results. Our success is driven by a highly collaborative and team-oriented culture built around our core values:
- Grit
- Collaboration
- Candor
- Excellence
- Integrity
This is an opportunity to join a growing automation company where your experience, ideas, and leadership will directly influence projects, innovation, and the future growth of our engineering department.
At STI, you won’t be treated like a number. You’ll be part of a collaborative team that values technical excellence, initiative, innovation, and long-term relationships with both employees and customers.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and program electrical control systems for conveyor systems, integrated packaging lines, and automated manufacturing equipment
- Develop PLC, HMI, motion control, and system integration solutions for food manufacturing applications
- Create and maintain:
- Electrical schematics
- Panel layouts
- Field device layouts
- Pipe and wire diagrams
- Bills of material
- Lead and support field startup, commissioning, debugging, troubleshooting, and optimization of automated systems
- Provide technical leadership and mentorship within the electrical engineering group
- Collaborate closely with mechanical engineering, project management, production, vendors, electricians, and customers
- Analyze existing systems and machinery for upgrades, improvements, and modernization opportunities
- Support R&D initiatives and continuous improvement efforts related to automation technologies and machine integration
- Assist sales and estimating teams by providing technical support during proposal and quotation development
- Direct and support on-site electrical contractors during installation and startup activities
- Travel to customer facilities to support startups, programming modifications, troubleshooting, and commissioning activities
Travel Requirement
THIS POSITION REQUIRES 20% to 25% TRAVEL to customer job sites to oversee start-ups and programming changes. We are a family-oriented company and recognize work/life balance. When our engineers travel, or goal is to keep travel within 5 business day windows and we strive to bring our programmers home for the weekend, if possible, on the occasion that time is extended.
Candidates already accustomed to international travel and customer-facing startup work are strongly preferred.
International Travel Requirement
This position requires occasional international business travel to Canada. Candidates must:
- Possess a valid passport and Real ID driver's license
- Be legally eligible to enter Canada for work purposes
- Be capable of passing Canadian border entry requirements
Please note that certain legal or driving-related issues (current or previous) may restrict Canadian entry eligibility, including but not limited to:
- DUI/DWI convictions
- Driver’s license suspension or revocation history
- Certain criminal offenses
- Outstanding child support judgments
Candidates with prior work-related travel experience to Canada are strongly preferred. This position is entirely continent upon this requirement.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or related field
- Minimum 5 years of controls engineering experience required (8+ years strongly preferred)
- Strong background in:
- - Conveyor system automation- Automated packaging equipment- Food manufacturing systems- Industrial system integration
- Advanced PLC programming experience with Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation platforms
- Strong hands-on troubleshooting and startup experience in industrial manufacturing environments
- Experience leading complex automation projects from design through commissioning
- Strong knowledge of industrial electrical design and control panel development
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team environment
- Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
- Ability and willingness to travel approximately 30%
Technical RequirementsPLC & Controls Experience
- Allen-Bradley PLCs:
- Studio 5000
- RSLogix 5000
- CompactLogix
- ControlLogix
- MicroLogix
- SLC platforms
- Allen-Bradley HMIs:
- FactoryTalk View ME
- PanelView
- PanelView Plus
- Allen-Bradley networks:
- Ethernet/IP
- DeviceNet
- ControlNet
- Remote I/O
- DH+
- Variable Frequency Drives:
- PowerFlex 525 and related Rockwell drive systems
- Motors, motion systems, and industrial automation hardware integration
Design & Software
- Proficient knowledge of CAD systems required
- SolidWorks Electrical experience highly preferred
- Experience creating:
- Electrical schematics
- Panel layouts
- Wiring diagrams
- Control architecture documentation
Codes & Standards
Working knowledge of:
- NEC / NFPA 70
- NFPA 79
- UL508A
- Industrial electrical safety standards
Ideal Candidate Profile
Our ideal candidate is:
- Highly hands-on and technically driven
- Passionate about automation and emerging technologies
- Excited by R&D and continuous improvement
- Entrepreneurial-minded and proactive
- Comfortable taking ownership of projects and technical challenges
- Interested in helping guide and mentor less experienced engineers
- Customer-oriented and solutions-focused
- Able to perform effectively in fast-paced project environments
- Looking for a long-term opportunity to grow with a stable and evolving company
We offer 11 paid holidays, holiday shut-down, immediate paid time off, personal/mental health days, medical/dental/vision benefits, matching employee IRA retirement savings, Health Savings Account (HSA), and monthly employee lunches along with teambuilding and after-work outings throughout the year.
This is a permanent, full-time, in-office, salaried position with overtime eligibility when traveling - this is not a hybrid or remote position. Being in the office with the rest of the team when not traveling is critical to our collaborative culture.
Benefits:
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance (company pays up to 90% of medical)
- Company-Paid Life Insurance
- Benefit Allowance/PTO Exchange
- Matching IRA Contribution & Personal Savings Plans
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Sick/Personal Days
- Paid Holidays (11)
- Company-Wide Shut Down between Christmas and New Year's
If you are passionate about industrial automation, conveyor systems, integrated packaging equipment, and helping build the future of a growing engineering organization, we would love to speak with you
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $90,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Relocation assistance
- Vision insurance
Ability to Commute:
- Joliet, IL 60433 (Required)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person
