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.
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Join Us! CDM Smith – where amazing career journeys unfold.
Imagine a place committed to offering an unmatched employee experience. Where you work on projects that are meaningful to you. Where you play an active part in shaping your career journey. Where your co-workers are invested in you and your success. Where you are encouraged and supported to do your very best and given the tools and resources to do so. Where it’s a priority that the company takes good care of you and your family.
Our employees are the heart of our company. As an employer of choice, our goal is to provide a challenging, progressive and inclusive work environment which fosters personal leadership, career growth and development for every employee. We value passionate individuals who challenge the norm, deliver world-class solutions and bring diverse perspectives. Join our team, and together we will make a difference and change the world.
CDM Smith is seeking a Automation and Controls Engineer to join a great team of motivated Automation professionals in Chicago, Illinois! You will be responsible for designing and programming control systems for our Water/Wastewater and Industrial clients. This role involves performing condition assessments on existing systems; developing upgrade plans; writing detailed specifications; creating detailed design drawings; and writing comprehensive control descriptions to ensure safe and efficient system operation.
The successful candidate will be enthusiastic about building client relationships, mentoring junior level staff and delivering quality technical products on time and on budget. CDM Smith has been a leader in providing Automation design and programming services for over 30 years. Join us!
As a key member of the Chicago Automation team, you will contribute to CDM Smith’s mission by:
- Developing solutions for automation projects with senior level oversight and guidance.
- Programming, testing, and commissioning of SCADA systems which includes some, if not all of the following software: PLC packages (Rockwell Studio 5000 and Schneider Electric Unity), HMI packages (GE iFix, Rockwell FactoryTalk, and AVEVA InTouch for System Platform).
- Configuring SCADA servers, workstations, networks, and wireless communication systems (i.e. cellular, radio, Wi-Fi).
- Developing SCADA reports using Dream Reports, XL Reporter, or Hach WIMS.
- Performing field acceptance testing (FATs) and field inspections to ensure contractor conformance with contract requirements for control systems.
- Creating basic to moderately complex instrumentation and control system designs by developing Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), control system architectures network diagrams, logical communications diagrams, specifications, and process control descriptions (for use in control system programming).
- Preparing control system preliminary design reports (PDRs).
- Reviewing basic to moderately complex level shop drawings consisting of control system components, instrumentation and panel wiring diagrams.
- Providing responses to contractor requests for information (RFIs) under limited supervision.
- Independently develops basic to highly complex Operations & Maintenance manuals for PLC and HMI programming.
- Preparing Automation specific project budgets and construction cost estimates.
- Preparing written scopes of work and project approaches in support of proposals and client presentations under senior supervision.
- Traveling to project sites for client meetings, supporting on-call/as-needed contracts, and start-up of control systems within the region.
- Performing other duties as required.
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- Expert knowledge of instrumentation, controls and related systems designs. PLC and HMI experience required.
- Excellent communication skills – both oral and written.
- Strong knowledge of Microsoft office suite of programs.
- Working knowledge of industrial networks and Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity solutions.
- Experience with 3D and 4D CAD drafting.
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering, or in Engineering Technology or related discipline.
- Professional engineering (PE) license.
- 7 years of related experience.
Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
Domestic and/or international travel may be required. The frequency of travel is contingent on specific duties, responsibilities, and the essential functions of the position, which may vary depending on workload and project demands.
- Experience with Water/Wastewater I&C projects.
- Experience within an Engineering and/or construction firm.
- Experience leading teams.
See All 26 Automation Engineer Jobs in Chicago
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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.
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See All 26 Automation Engineer Jobs in Chicago
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