Automation Specialist Jobs in Illinois

Automation Specialist jobs in Illinois are among the most active in the Midwest, concentrated in manufacturing, food and beverage processing, pharmaceutical production, and utilities, with demand at every level from entry-level controls technician through senior systems engineer. The heaviest hiring clusters in Chicago, Rockford, and the Decatur-Peoria industrial corridor, where large employers like Caterpillar, Abbott Laboratories, and Kraft Heinz maintain deep operations and ongoing automation programs. PLC programming, SCADA integration, and robotics commissioning are the specialties drawing the most consistent demand from Illinois employers. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles18
Top employerWesco
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring14
Work type50% On-site
Top industryAutomotive

Showing 5 of 18+ Automation Specialist jobs

Siemens
Building Automation Systems Specialist
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Siemens
Added 2d ago
Building Automation Systems Specialist
Siemens
Rolling Meadows, Illinois
Customer Service
Customer Success
Customer Support
$54k - $93k/yr
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
10,000+

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Woodward, Inc.
Operations Specialist - Automation Line (2nd Shift Servo)
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Woodward, Inc.
Added 2d ago
Operations Specialist - Automation Line (2nd Shift Servo)
Woodward, Inc.
Loves Park, Illinois
Business Operations
Project Management
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
$27.4 - $35.58/hr
5,001-10,000

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Four Seasons Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, & Electric
Marketing Automation Specialist
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Four Seasons Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, & Electric
Added 3d ago
Marketing Automation Specialist
Four Seasons Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, & Electric
Bedford Park, Illinois
Business Development
Customer Success
Project Management
$65k - $85k/yr
Bachelor's degree in marketing
501-1,000

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BD
Lab Automation Applications Specialist (MIdwest)
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BD
Added 3d ago
Lab Automation Applications Specialist (MIdwest)
BD
Vernon Hills, Illinois
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Support
Laboratory Science
$67k - $107k/yr
Bachelor of Science
10,000+

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P
AUtomation Robot Specialist
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P
Added 3d ago
AUtomation Robot Specialist
Philips Recruiting
Normal, Illinois
Data Analytics
Data Engineering
Data Science
$110k - $120k/yr
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering

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See All 18 Automation Specialist Jobs in Illinois

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

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Automation Specialist Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Chicago
3 jobs
Normal
2 jobs
Rolling Meadows
2 jobs
Peoria
1 job
Quincy
1 job
Mettawa
1 job
Rockford
1 job
Belvidere
1 job
Woodstock
1 job

Automation Specialist Job Market in Illinois

A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Wesco
Wesco2 open roles
Siemens
Siemens2 open roles
BD
BD1 open role

Top Industries Hiring

  • Automotive
  • Manufacturing

What Illinois Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in automation specialist jobs across Illinois.

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechatronics, or a closely related field
  • Hands-on experience programming PLCs such as Allen-Bradley or Siemens platforms
  • Proficiency with SCADA systems and industrial HMI configuration and maintenance
  • Familiarity with robotics integration, servo systems, and motion control applications
  • Understanding of process safety standards and industrial network protocols like Ethernet/IP
  • Strong troubleshooting skills for automated production lines in manufacturing environments

Automation Specialist Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become an automation specialist in Illinois?

Most automation specialists in Illinois enter the field through a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechatronics, or industrial technology, though associate degrees combined with strong hands-on PLC experience are accepted at many manufacturers. Illinois does not require a state-issued license for the automation specialist role itself, but electricians working on control panels may need an Illinois electrical license through the Illinois Department of Public Health. Earning vendor certifications from Rockwell Automation or Siemens strengthens a candidacy significantly with Illinois employers.

Which companies hire automation specialists in Illinois?

Employers hiring automation specialists in Illinois right now include Wesco, Siemens, and BD, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Illinois's deep manufacturing base, from food processing in Decatur to pharmaceutical packaging in the Chicago suburbs, means large industrial employers keep consistent automation headcount year-round.

Which Illinois cities have the most automation specialist jobs?

Chicago, Normal, and Rolling Meadows have the most automation specialist openings in Illinois. Chicago drives volume through its concentration of corporate engineering headquarters and large distribution and packaging facilities, while Rockford's long-standing precision manufacturing sector and the Peoria-Decatur corridor's heavy industrial and agricultural equipment producers sustain steady demand outside the metro.

Are there remote automation specialist jobs in Illinois?

Yes, but they're rare. About 50% of automation specialist openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most automation work. The portions of the role most likely to be performed remotely are PLC program development, SCADA screen design, and documentation review, while commissioning, installation, and on-site troubleshooting require a physical presence.

How can I get hired as an automation specialist in Illinois with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is an associate degree or technical certificate in industrial automation or electrical technology from a community college like Triton College or Heartland Community College, which feeds directly into technician apprenticeships at Illinois manufacturers. Large employers such as Caterpillar and Abbott run structured technician development programs that accept candidates without full work histories. Moving laterally from a maintenance technician or electrical apprentice role is common, and earning a Rockwell Automation certification before applying gives a new candidate a concrete, verifiable edge.

Where can I find and apply to automation specialist jobs in Illinois?

You can find and apply to automation specialist jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings from employers actively hiring. Search the listings for roles that match your specialization and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 18 Automation Specialist Jobs in Illinois

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

Find Automation Specialist Jobs