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, Burns & McDonnell, and RWE. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 99+ Controls Engineer jobs
Nuclear power is a carbon-free energy source. We offer you the opportunity to utilize and expand your academic background in engineering by digitizing nuclear power plants:
- You will work on a multi-discipline engineering team involved in nuclear power plant instrumentation and controls projects. These projects are a synergistic integration of electrical, computer, and mechanical engineering along with control theory.
- You will work with electronic process sensors, digital controllers, network topology, touchscreen displays, pumps, valves, heat exchangers, steam turbines and reactors.
- You will prepare specifications for the procurement of instrumentation and control equipment as well as engineering calculations.
- Through mentoring, classroom-style technical sessions, and on-the-job training, you will increase your knowledge and skills in your engineering discipline.
- You will also have the opportunity to travel to client and vendor offices for design reviews and to plant site locations for project coordination and field verification of designs.
Essential skills and experience:
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s of Science degree in engineering with a strong academic background and coursework in analog and digital control systems, systems engineering, mechatronics, or robotics
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Proficiency with MS Office applications
Valued but not required:
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s of Science from an ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission-approved program
- Prior, related internship or co-op experience
- Successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, and designation as an Engineer in Training
- You are expected to take engineering problems from issue to solution using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
- Many engineers in these roles build or use automation to create calculations, summarize technical documents, or draft design documentation, including appropriate use of agentic AI tools, with strong engineering judgment and verification of results.
- Programming or scripting (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate calculations, design checks, reporting, or data transformation is valued but not required.
- We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other training in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that helps you apply automation or agentic AI to real engineering problems.
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & Wellness
- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
Nuclear power is a carbon-free energy source. We offer you the opportunity to utilize and expand your academic background in engineering by digitizing nuclear power plants:
- You will work on a multi-discipline engineering team involved in nuclear power plant instrumentation and controls projects. These projects are a synergistic integration of electrical, computer, and mechanical engineering along with control theory.
- You will work with electronic process sensors, digital controllers, network topology, touchscreen displays, pumps, valves, heat exchangers, steam turbines and reactors.
- You will prepare specifications for the procurement of instrumentation and control equipment as well as engineering calculations.
- Through mentoring, classroom-style technical sessions, and on-the-job training, you will increase your knowledge and skills in your engineering discipline.
- You will also have the opportunity to travel to client and vendor offices for design reviews and to plant site locations for project coordination and field verification of designs.
Essential skills and experience:
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s of Science degree in engineering with a strong academic background and coursework in analog and digital control systems, systems engineering, mechatronics, or robotics
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Proficiency with MS Office applications
Valued but not required:
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s of Science from an ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission-approved program
- Prior, related internship or co-op experience
- Successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, and designation as an Engineer in Training
- You are expected to take engineering problems from issue to solution using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
- Many engineers in these roles build or use automation to create calculations, summarize technical documents, or draft design documentation, including appropriate use of agentic AI tools, with strong engineering judgment and verification of results.
- Programming or scripting (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate calculations, design checks, reporting, or data transformation is valued but not required.
- We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other training in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that helps you apply automation or agentic AI to real engineering problems.
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & Wellness
- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
See All 99 Controls Engineer Jobs in Chicago
Find roles in Chicago that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Controls Engineer JobsControls Engineer Job Market in Chicago
Who's Hiring
- Sargent & Lundy41
- Burns & McDonnell12
- RWE6
- Formic6
- DLR6
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services41
- Energy23
- Construction & Real Estate12
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, Burns & McDonnell, and RWE, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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 74% of controls engineer openings tied to Chicago are remote or hybrid as of August 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 Consulting & Professional Services, Energy, and Construction & Real Estate, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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.
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See All 99 Controls Engineer Jobs in Chicago
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