Electrical Controls Engineer - Sturgis, MI Plant

Abbott Laboratories • Sturgis, MI

6d • $61,300 - $122,700 • Onsite

About The Position

The Electrical Controls Engineer supports manufacturing operations at Abbott’s Sturgis, Michigan location in the Abbott Nutrition division. Abbott Nutrition develops science-based nutrition products for people of all ages, including brands such as Similac, PediaSure, Pedialyte, Ensure, and Glucerna.

The role focuses on troubleshooting, maintaining, and improving plant electrical and automation systems to improve equipment reliability, safety, quality, and production performance. The engineer works with maintenance, operations, and engineering teams to reduce downtime, optimize manufacturing equipment, and lead electrical and controls projects across the facility. Responsibilities also include technical support for manufacturing, new product introductions, equipment startups, process optimization, and compliance with regulatory requirements, GMP standards, engineering standards, EHS policies, FDA requirements, OSHA requirements, and Abbott policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Electrical, Computer, Chemical, or related field), or equivalent work experience.
• At least 2 years of engineering, automation, or project management experience, or advanced education equivalent.
• Experience troubleshooting industrial electrical and automation systems in a manufacturing environment, including PLC-controlled equipment, motor controls, instrumentation, VFDs, and electrical distribution systems.
• Experience troubleshooting and solving moderately complex technical problems.
• Experience with PLC programming (Allen Bradley, Modicon/Schneider Electric).
• Strong understanding of engineering principles, practices, and procedures.
• Knowledge of the National Electric Code (NEC) and NFPA 70E.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to collaborate across teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work within defined procedures.
• Demonstrated leadership ability and experience guiding technicians or support personnel.
• Ability to work effectively in a regulated environment with attention to compliance and quality.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in food, pharmaceutical, or other FDA-regulated industries.
• SCADA development experience (GE IFIX).
• HMI programming experience (FactoryTalk, Ignition, GE IFIX).
• Data historian experience (OSIsoft).
• Familiarity with validation processes, change control, and GMP environments.
• Experience with capital project management and engineering documentation (RCEs, VCRs, scope documents).
• Experience implementing new manufacturing technologies or process improvements.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain electrical systems, control systems, and automation solutions for plant operations.
• Support installation, startup, and commissioning of manufacturing equipment and electrical upgrades.
• Provide technical support for manufacturing, including new product introductions, equipment startups, and process optimization.
• Troubleshoot complex system issues and develop solutions to improve performance and reliability.
• Troubleshoot and support plant electrical systems, including motor control centers (MCCs), variable frequency drives (VFDs), sensors, instrumentation, safety circuits, and control panels.
• Program and support PLCs (Allen Bradley, Modicon), SCADA systems (GE IFIX), HMI platforms (FactoryTalk, Ignition), and data historians (OSIsoft).
• Maintain and improve PLC-based control systems to support equipment reliability and manufacturing performance.
• Lead and manage capital projects, including scope definition, scheduling, and coordination with internal teams and external vendors.
• Develop and maintain engineering documentation, including specifications, drawings, validation records, and change control documentation.
• Drive cost reduction and productivity improvement initiatives through process enhancements and new technologies.
• Monitor plant performance, identify improvement opportunities, and respond to production issues in real time.
• Provide training and technical guidance to operators, technicians, and maintenance personnel.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, GMP standards, engineering standards, and EHS policies.
• Collaborate with production, quality, R&D, and engineering teams.
• Lead or support project teams and coordinate technicians, contractors, and external resources.
• Meet compliance standards, including FDA, OSHA, and Abbott policies and procedures.

Benefits

• Clean, well-lit, temperature-controlled production areas.
• Training and career development, including onboarding programs for new employees and tuition assistance.
• Competitive compensation, incentives, and retirement plan.
• Health care and well-being programs, including medical, dental, vision, wellness, and occupational health programs; medical benefits start on day one.
• 120 hours of accrued vacation in the first year, prorated, plus a vacation buy program, 3 personal days, and 10 paid holidays.
• Retiree Healthcare program.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with a company match.
• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and the FreeU education benefit.
• Free coverage in the HIP PPO medical plan for participants who complete a short wellness assessment; coverage applies in the next calendar year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level