Senior Engineer – Warehouse Controls Engineer

About the role

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Working at Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life.

Responsibilities

The Warehouse PLC / Controls Engineer is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, and improving automated control systems within a warehouse or distribution environment.

• Diagnose and resolve Programmable Logic Control (PLC), Human machine interface (HMI), and control system issues impacting warehouse operations.
• Provide real-time support to operations teams to minimize downtime.
• Analyze system faults, alarms, and logs to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Support troubleshooting of automation systems including conveyors, sorters, pick by light and robotics systems.

This role also involves system documentation, creating and continuously improving standardized troubleshooting guides and procedures, and developing training materials and providing guidance to operators and maintenance technicians.

• Develop and maintain accurate as-built documentation for PLC programs, network architecture, and control systems.
• Update electrical schematics, I/O lists, and system configurations as modifications occur.
• Ensure documentation is organized, version-controlled, and easily accessible.

Additionally, the role includes continuous improvement and upgrades, preventive and predictive maintenance, and testing and commissioning support.

• Identify opportunities for system improvements to enhance reliability, efficiency, and performance.
• Propose and implement equipment upgrades, control logic enhancements, and process optimizations.
• Develop and execute preventive maintenance strategies for PLCs, control panels, and automation systems.
• Monitor system health and implement predictive maintenance techniques to prevent failures.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Electrical or Controls Engineering preferred) or equivalent work experience.
• 4-7+ years of experience with PLC programming and troubleshooting (Prefer Allen-Bradley).
• FDA regulated manufacturing, consumer packaged goods or similar experience.
• Experience with validation or commissioning documentation.
• PLCs (Programmable Logic Control), HMIs (Human machine interface), VFDs (Variable Frequency Drive), and industrial networks (EtherNet/IP, Profibus, etc.).
• Electrical systems and control panels.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex automation issues under time pressure.

Preferred Qualifications

• Warehouse automation, distribution centers, or material handling systems.
• Experience with WMS (Warehouse Management Systems) and other IT/OT systems integration.
• Working knowledge of the principles of quality software engineering as described by software lifecycle development processes that are consistent with ISO, IEEE, or other FDA recognized standards.
• Programming experience using current programming languages (C#, html, SQL) and/or experience in software development.
• Familiarity with tools within Continuous Improvement (e.g., 6 Sigma, Lean, Kaizen, etc.) and participate in problem resolution.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and know how to prioritize the workday.
• ‘Out-of-the-box’ thinking and problem solving.

Benefits

Abbott offers a range of benefits, including career development opportunities, free medical coverage, an excellent retirement savings plan, tuition reimbursement, and more. Learn more about our health and wellness benefits at www.abbottbenefits.com.

Pay

The base pay for this position is $78,000.00 – $156,000.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

Schedule

This is not a remote opportunity, with traveling up to 5% required. The position works out of our Abbott Distribution Center (North Chicago), IL location in the Core Diagnostics Division.