Automation Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Automation engineer jobs in Chicago draw heavily from the city's manufacturing, food processing, and industrial automation sectors, with roles concentrated in the Near West Side, Goose Island, and the Calumet industrial corridor. Employers actively hiring include Sargent & Lundy, Upgrade, and CDM Smith. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.

Find Automation Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open roles26
Top employerSargent & Lundy
Work type57% Hybrid
Top credentialBachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
Companies hiring22

Showing 5 of 26+ Automation Engineer jobs

Automation and Controls Engineer
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Added 1d ago
Automation and Controls Engineer
CDM Smith
Chicago, Illinois
Automation QA
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Specialized Engineering
$110k - $193k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
5,001-10,000

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Senior AI Engineer, Finance AI & Automation
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Added 3d ago
Senior AI Engineer, Finance AI & Automation
BMO Financial Group
Chicago, Illinois
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Data Engineering
Data Science
$120k - $250k/yr
Bachelor's degree in engineering
10,000+

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Principal Engineer, Security AI Tooling and Automation
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Added 1w ago
Principal Engineer, Security AI Tooling and Automation
TransUnion
Chicago, Illinois
Customer Service & Support
Customer Success
Technical Program Management
$169k - $281k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in engineering
10,000+

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Jr Automation Engineer
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Added 1w ago
Jr Automation Engineer
Albireo Energy
Chicago, Illinois
Automation QA
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
$80k - $110k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
501-1,000

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Automation Control Engineer Consultant
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Added 1w ago
Automation Control Engineer Consultant
Logic, Inc.
Chicago, Illinois
Software Engineering
Technical Product & Program Management
$30.67 - $94.23/hr
Military encouraged
11-50

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See All 26 Automation Engineer Jobs in Chicago

Find roles in Chicago that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Automation Engineer Job Market in Chicago

Who's Hiring

Sargent & Lundy3 open roles
Upgrade2 open roles
CDM Smith2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software
  • Consulting & Professional Services

Automation Engineer Jobs in Chicago: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get an automation engineer job in Chicago?

Focus your search on Chicago's manufacturing belt, the food and beverage processing companies along the North Branch corridor, and the industrial automation firms clustered around Goose Island and the Near West Side. Candidates who know PLC programming, SCADA systems, or robotics integration stand out in this market. Building familiarity with the specific automation platforms common in Chicago's heavy manufacturing and packaged goods industries sharpens your edge considerably.

Which companies hire automation engineers in Chicago?

Companies currently hiring automation engineers in Chicago include Sargent & Lundy, Upgrade, and CDM Smith, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Chicago's hiring mix is broad, covering Fortune 500 manufacturers, specialty food and beverage producers, industrial systems integrators, and utilities with large infrastructure automation programs.

Are there remote automation engineer jobs in Chicago?

Yes, though automation engineering skews toward on-site work given hands-on equipment, commissioning, and plant-floor responsibilities. About 93% of automation engineer openings tied to Chicago are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to be design, programming, or project engineering roles rather than commissioning or maintenance positions.

How can I get an automation engineer job in Chicago with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path in Chicago is through systems integrator firms and mid-size manufacturers who hire controls technicians or junior automation technicians and promote from within. Entry-level roles in PLC programming support, machine operator to technician pipelines at food processing plants, and co-op programs at Chicago-area industrial companies are genuine starting points. A strong foundation in ladder logic, hands-on lab projects, or an associate degree in controls technology makes a real difference with local employers.

Which industries hire the most automation engineers in Chicago?

Chicago automation engineer roles concentrate in Technology & Software and Consulting & Professional Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Chicago's deep manufacturing heritage, combined with its role as a logistics and food processing hub, keeps sustained demand for automation talent across both legacy industrial employers and newer systems integration firms.

See All 26 Automation Engineer Jobs in Chicago

Find roles in Chicago that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Automation Engineer Jobs