Controls Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL
Controls Engineer jobs in Chicago are in strong demand, concentrated in the Near West Side, Fulton Market, and the industrial corridors of the Chicago metro, across manufacturing, food and beverage processing, and building automation. Employers hiring right now include Sargent & Lundy, AMPED I, and Burns & McDonnell. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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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 109+ Controls Engineer Jobs in Chicago
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Find Controls Engineer JobsControls Engineer Job Market in Chicago
Who's Hiring
- Sargent & Lundy27

- AMPED I14

- Burns & McDonnell14

- Affiliated Engineers14

- CDM Smith7

Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
- Consulting & Professional Services
Controls Engineer Jobs in Chicago: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a controls engineer job in Chicago?
Target Chicago's dense manufacturing corridor on the Near West Side and the food and beverage processing facilities in the southwest suburbs, where demand for controls engineers is highest. Familiarity with Rockwell, Siemens, or Allen-Bradley PLCs gives candidates a clear edge with local industrial employers. Applying directly to plant-level roles at packaging, automotive parts, and utilities firms tends to move faster than going through corporate pipelines in this market.
Which companies hire controls engineers in Chicago?
Employers hiring controls engineers in Chicago right now include Sargent & Lundy, AMPED I, and Burns & McDonnell, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Chicago's hiring mix leans heavily toward large industrial manufacturers, utilities, and systems integrators that support the region's extensive processing and infrastructure base.
Are there remote controls engineer jobs in Chicago?
Yes, though remote options are limited given how hands-on controls engineering work typically is. About 100% of controls engineer openings tied to Chicago are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with most remote-eligible positions focusing on programming, system design, or project management rather than on-site commissioning or troubleshooting.
How can I get a controls engineer job in Chicago with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Chicago is through a junior controls or automation technician role at a systems integrator or mid-size manufacturer in the southwest or northwest suburbs. Many Chicago-area integrators hire associate engineers who shadow senior staff on local facility projects, which builds PLC and HMI experience fast. A capstone project involving ladder logic or SCADA, or an internship with a Chicago industrial firm, strengthens a first application considerably.
Which industries hire the most controls engineers in Chicago?
Chicago controls engineer roles concentrate in Construction & Real Estate and Consulting & Professional Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Chicago's position as a major freight, food processing, and industrial hub means those sectors generate a consistent pipeline of controls engineering openings across both the city and its surrounding metro counties.
Related Jobs in Illinois
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