Director of Engineering

Director of Engineering – High-Speed Automation

Base pay range: $175,000 - $225,000 per year.

Location:

Buffalo Grove and Libertyville, IL (relocation available).

At Sterling Engineering, we are looking for a Director of Engineering to oversee and grow our automation engineering teams across the Buffalo Grove and Libertyville facilities. This high‑impact leadership role offers visibility across the organization and with key clients in the medical device industry.

The Director of Engineering will lead a large, multidisciplinary engineering organization—overseeing 60 engineers, 120 technicians, and 9 managers—with responsibility for designing, building, and scaling high‑speed automated assembly systems. You’ll work closely with site leadership to expand existing lines, launch new lines, and support the startup of a brand‑new plant in Libertyville.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a large engineering team to deliver on automation and production goals.
• Drive the design, specification, installation, and support of high‑speed automation equipment and tooling.
• Oversee commissioning, validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), and production support of automation systems.
• Partner with clients to navigate technical challenges, communicate vision, and ensure seamless execution.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to deliver cost‑effective, scalable, and compliant automation solutions.
• Guide strategic planning for automation initiatives and capacity expansions.
• Maintain alignment with FDA regulations, medical device quality standards, and organizational KPIs.

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or related Engineering field;
  Master’s or MBA preferred.
• Strong background in high‑speed automation, ideally from an automation integrator (OEM) environment.
• Experience in OT (controls/hardware) and exposure to SCADA systems is a plus.
• Demonstrated success in leading large engineering organizations with multiple layers of management.
• Experience supporting automation in FDA‑regulated industries (Medical Device, Pharma, Food, Consumer).
• Strong problem‑solving and critical thinking skills – able to “see the forest through the trees.”
• Excellent communication and leadership skills to influence teams, clients, and executives.
• Large company background and medical device assembly experience preferred.

• Competitive base salary up to $225K
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
• Life, Short‑term and Long‑term Disability insurance
• Matching 401(k) contributions
• Paid vacation and sick time

This is a high‑visibility leadership opportunity for a proven engineering leader who thrives in complex, regulated environments. If you’re ready to make a lasting impact on the future of automation in the medical device industry, we’d love to connect.

Director

Full‑time

Manufacturing