Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Electrical controls engineer jobs in Illinois are consistently active, with strong demand from the state's deep base of industrial manufacturing, food processing, automotive systems, and building automation sectors at every level from entry-level technician to senior systems architect. Chicago, Rockford, and the Quad Cities metro area account for the largest share of openings, where established employers like Caterpillar, Rockwell Automation, and Siemens maintain significant operations. PLC programming, motion control, and SCADA system integration are the specialties Illinois employers request most. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles18
Top employerenVista
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring13
Work type82% On-site
Top credentialBachelor's degree in electrical engineering

Showing 5 of 18+ Electrical Controls Engineer jobs

Electrical Controls Technician – 2nd Shift
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Added 1d ago
Electrical Controls Technician – 2nd Shift
Double Good
Burr Ridge, Illinois
Maintenance & Repair
Manufacturing Operations
Skilled Trades
On-Site
Associate's degree in electrical technology
201-500

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Mid-Level Electrical Controls Engineer
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Added 2d ago
Mid-Level Electrical Controls Engineer
Quantum Solutions
Columbia, Illinois
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Product Management
$80k - $110k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's degree in industrial engineering

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Entry-Level Electrical Controls Engineer
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Added 2d ago
Entry-Level Electrical Controls Engineer
Quantum Solutions
Columbia, Illinois
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Product Management
$75k - $85k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's degree in industrial engineering

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Maintenance Specialist – Electrical, Controls & PLC
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Added 3d ago
Maintenance Specialist – Electrical, Controls & PLC
Manufacturing Maintenance Solutions (MMS)
Mossville, Illinois
Business Analysis
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$20 - $35/hr
High school diploma or GED

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Maintenance Specialist – Electrical, Controls & PLC
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Added 3d ago
Maintenance Specialist – Electrical, Controls & PLC
Manufacturing Maintenance Solutions
Mossville, Illinois
Maintenance & Repair
Manufacturing Operations
Skilled Trades
$20 - $35/hr
On-Site
High school diploma or GED

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See All 18 Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs in Illinois

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Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Chicago
2 jobs
Columbia
2 jobs
Mossville
2 jobs
Loves Park
2 jobs
Willowbrook
2 jobs
Alsip
1 job
Godfrey
1 job
Rockford
1 job
Burr Ridge
1 job

Electrical Controls Engineer Job Market in Illinois

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

Who's Hiring

enVista2 open roles
Quantum Solutions2 open roles
Flex1 open role

What Illinois Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in electrical controls engineer jobs across Illinois.

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, controls engineering, or closely related discipline required
  • Hands-on experience programming PLCs such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Mitsubishi systems
  • Proficiency with SCADA systems, HMI development, and industrial networking protocols
  • Ability to read, interpret, and produce electrical schematics and control panel drawings
  • Familiarity with NEC and NFPA 70E electrical safety standards for industrial environments
  • Experience with motion control systems, servo drives, and variable frequency drives preferred

Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a electrical controls engineer in Illinois?

Start with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a closely related field from an accredited program. Illinois does not require a state license for most private-sector controls engineering roles, but obtaining a Professional Engineer license through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation strengthens your candidacy for senior and project-lead positions. Employers across Illinois's manufacturing corridor typically expect demonstrated PLC programming experience, which you can build through co-ops, lab coursework, or entry-level technician roles before moving into full engineering positions.

How much do electrical controls engineers make in Illinois?

Electrical controls engineers in Illinois earn a median of about $107,860 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $75,470 for the lowest 10% to over $164,290 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire electrical controls engineers in Illinois?

Employers hiring electrical controls engineers in Illinois right now include enVista, Quantum Solutions, and Flex, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's concentration of industrial manufacturers, food and beverage processors, and building automation firms means demand for controls engineers stays consistent across both the Chicago metro and downstate manufacturing communities.

Which Illinois cities have the most electrical controls engineer jobs?

Chicago, Columbia, and Mossville have the most electrical controls engineer openings in Illinois. Chicago drives the largest volume thanks to its dense base of industrial firms, engineering consultancies, and building automation contractors, while Rockford and the Quad Cities area reflect the region's long-standing machinery and heavy manufacturing industries, where controls engineers are embedded in production floor operations.

Are there remote electrical controls engineer jobs in Illinois?

Yes, but they're rare. Electrical controls engineering is fundamentally hands-on work involving physical panels, factory floors, and on-site commissioning, which limits fully remote arrangements. About 18% of electrical controls engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those postings tend to focus on design, documentation, or PLC code development tasks where physical presence isn't required at every stage of the project.

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

The most realistic entry path is a controls technician or automation technician role, which large Illinois manufacturers regularly hire for at the associate degree or vocational certificate level. Employers like Caterpillar and mid-size Rockford-area machine builders frequently bring on candidates through apprenticeship partnerships with Illinois community colleges, including programs at Rock Valley College and Illinois Central College. Building a portfolio of PLC ladder logic projects, even from coursework or personal labs, combined with a Certified Controls System Technician credential from ISA, gives candidates a concrete edge when applying without direct industrial experience.

Where can I find and apply to electrical controls engineer jobs in Illinois?

You can find and apply to electrical controls engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from Illinois employers. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your background and location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 18 Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs in Illinois

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