Control Systems Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Control Systems Engineer jobs in Illinois are consistently active, with strong demand concentrated in advanced manufacturing, food and beverage processing, utilities, and industrial automation, drawing candidates at every level from entry-level automation technicians through senior principal engineers. Chicago, Rockford, and the Peoria metro are the primary hiring hubs, anchored by established employers like Rockwell Automation, Caterpillar, and Abbott Laboratories. PLC programming, SCADA integration, and safety instrumented systems are the most in-demand specialties across Illinois facilities. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Control Systems Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open roles15
Top employerCaterpillar
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring9
Work type100% Hybrid
Top industryConsulting

Showing 5 of 15+ Control Systems Engineer jobs

Caterpillar
Control Systems Engineering Specialist - Power Electronics & Software
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Caterpillar
Added 3d ago
Control Systems Engineering Specialist - Power Electronics & Software
Caterpillar
Mossville, Illinois
Embedded Systems Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Technical Program Management
$128k - $193k/yr
10,000+

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Caterpillar
Drivetrain Control Systems Engineering Specialist - New Technology (NTI)
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Caterpillar
Added 1w ago
Drivetrain Control Systems Engineering Specialist - New Technology (NTI)
Caterpillar
Mossville, Illinois
Business Analysis
Data Analytics
Data Science
$128k - $193k/yr
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
10,000+

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Novaspect
Project Manager, Distributed Control Systems
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Novaspect
Added 1w ago
Project Manager, Distributed Control Systems
Novaspect
Schaumburg, Illinois
Construction Management
Program Management
Project Management
$105k - $135k/yr
Bachelor of Science
201-500

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Caterpillar
Control Systems Senior Engineer
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Caterpillar
Added 1w ago
Control Systems Senior Engineer
Caterpillar
Mossville, Illinois
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
Technical Program Management
$113k - $169k/yr
10,000+

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V
Engine Control Systems Engineer
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V
Added 2w ago
Engine Control Systems Engineer
Veracity Ventures Inc.
Chillicothe, Illinois
Embedded Systems Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Technical Program Management
$90k - $110k/yr
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

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See All 15 Control Systems Engineer Jobs in Illinois

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

Find Control Systems Engineer Jobs

Control Systems Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Chicago
3 jobs
Mossville
3 jobs
Schaumburg
2 jobs
Chillicothe
2 jobs
Elwood
1 job
Lemont
1 job
Oak Forest
1 job
East Peoria
1 job
Hazel Crest
1 job

Control Systems Engineer Job Market in Illinois

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

Who's Hiring

Caterpillar
Caterpillar3 open roles
Novaspect
Novaspect2 open roles
Knapp
Knapp1 open role

Top Industries Hiring

  • Consulting & Professional Services

What Illinois Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in control systems engineer jobs across Illinois.

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, controls engineering, or a closely related field
  • Proficiency with PLC platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Mitsubishi
  • Experience designing or maintaining SCADA and HMI systems in an industrial environment
  • Familiarity with ISA or IEC 61511 functional safety standards for process industries
  • Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, P&IDs, and control panel drawings
  • Strong troubleshooting skills for automated production lines or utility control systems

Control Systems Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a control systems engineer in Illinois?

A bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or controls engineering is the standard starting point for control systems engineer roles in Illinois. Illinois does not require a state-issued license specifically for control systems engineers, though many employers value a Professional Engineer license issued through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for senior or consulting roles. Certifications such as the ISA Certified Automation Professional and vendor-specific PLC credentials strengthen candidacy significantly with Illinois industrial employers.

How much do control systems engineers make in Illinois?

Control systems engineers in Illinois earn a median of about $111,930 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $58,920 for the lowest 10% to over $168,770 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire control systems engineers in Illinois?

Employers hiring control systems engineers in Illinois right now include Caterpillar, Novaspect, and Knapp, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's dense concentration of food processing plants, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and heavy industrial facilities means demand is spread across both large multinationals and regional engineering contractors throughout the state.

Which Illinois cities have the most control systems engineer jobs?

Chicago, Mossville, and Schaumburg have the most control systems engineer openings in Illinois right now. Chicago and its suburbs drive the largest share of listings thanks to the region's manufacturing corridors, utility infrastructure, and engineering firm headquarters, while Peoria and Rockford reflect strong demand from heavy equipment makers and aerospace suppliers rooted in those metros.

Are there remote control systems engineer jobs in Illinois?

Yes, but they're rare. About 100% of control systems engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most controls work. The portions of the role most likely to be performed remotely include off-site programming, system design documentation, and project engineering support for installations managed by on-site technicians.

How can I get hired as a control systems engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is targeting automation technician or junior controls engineer roles at Illinois manufacturers, which typically require an associate degree or technical certificate rather than a four-year degree. Large employers like Caterpillar and Abbott run co-op and new-graduate programs at their Illinois facilities. Building hands-on PLC experience through vocational programs at Illinois community colleges, obtaining a basic ISA certification, and applying to project support roles at systems integrators are all concrete ways to open the door without prior industry experience.

Where can I find and apply to control systems engineer jobs in Illinois?

You can find and apply to control systems engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings. Find the roles that fit your experience and apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 15 Control Systems Engineer Jobs in Illinois

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

Find Control Systems Engineer Jobs