Title: IT Infrastructure & Network Engineer – Manufacturing
Location: Chicago, IL (60623 - On Site)
Hire Type: Contract (Long Term)
Shift: Normal Business Hours (Occasional Overtime)
Compensation:$45-60 per hour (Depending on experience)
Benefits: As a contract employee of Sterling, you are eligible to receive a Full Employee Benefits Package that includes paid time off, paid holidays, 3 medical plans to choose from, dental & vision plans, 401(k), and an Employee Stock Ownership (ESOP) plan.
Must-have Skill Set:
- IT infrastructure and network administration
- LAN/WAN, TCP/IP, routers, switches, and network troubleshooting
- Windows Server and Microsoft technologies
- Cybersecurity, patching, vulnerability remediation, and compliance
- Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, PowerApps, and Microsoft Office
- Strong troubleshooting, communication, and project coordination skills
Overview:
We are seeking an experienced IT Infrastructure & Network Engineer to support technology operations and digital transformation initiatives at a manufacturing facility in the Chicago area. This role will help maintain and improve site IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, hardware, software, and cybersecurity practices. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience supporting enterprise IT environments, enjoys troubleshooting technical issues, and can collaborate with plant operations, engineering, and corporate IT teams to improve systems, security, and manufacturing processes.
Job Duties:
- Maintain, support, and improve site IT infrastructure, including LAN/WAN networks, routers, switches, servers, and digital devices.
- Troubleshoot day-to-day network, server, hardware, software, and connectivity issues.
- Coordinate and support IT infrastructure upgrades, deployments, and technology improvement projects.
- Implement and maintain cybersecurity work plans, including system updates, security patches, vulnerability remediation, and technology obsolescence activities.
- Partner with corporate IT, cybersecurity teams, and site stakeholders to ensure compliance with company standards and industry requirements.
- Support digital manufacturing initiatives, including connecting factory data and equipment information to corporate data platforms.
- Help develop and implement digital tools and applications that improve productivity and reduce operational losses.
- Identify opportunities to automate manual processes and improve workflows.
- Support virtualization, server management, network maintenance, and infrastructure optimization.
- Create and maintain standard operating procedures, technical documentation, and support processes.
- Assist with manufacturing performance, productivity, waste, and cost reporting.
- Collaborate with operations teams and provide training and support for digital tools used by plant personnel.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field; alternatively, 5+ years of relevant controls, automation, or IT experience.
- Minimum of 3 years of related IT infrastructure, network administration, systems administration, or cybersecurity experience.
- Experience supporting LAN/WAN infrastructure, network hardware, servers, and enterprise systems.
- Working knowledge of Windows Server, Microsoft Office, Teams, SharePoint, and PowerApps.
- Understanding of cybersecurity principles, system patching, vulnerability management, and compliance requirements.
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
- Experience coordinating IT projects, infrastructure upgrades, or technology implementations.
- Ability to work effectively with both technical teams and manufacturing/operations personnel.
- Understanding of manufacturing processes and industrial environments is preferred.
- Experience with OSI PI, SQL, virtualization, and server management is a plus.
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. as required.
