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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Showing 5 of 9+ Electrical Controls Engineer jobs
Join a Collaborative and Motivated Team as an Electrical Controls Engineer!
Enjoy a culture that includes a casual dress code, flexible working hours, and a friendly environment that encourages sharing of knowledge and experience among your peers.
Take advantage of opportunities to be involved in new processes and innovations at a company where management values your knowledge, experience and ideas.
Varied project exposure from retro-fits/upgrades to Green-field manufacturing facilities.
If you think you would enjoy big company resources with a small company atmosphere then this could be the right opportunity for you!
As an Electrical Controls Engineer you would work in our Downers Grove, Illinois office.
Responsibilities include:
- Follow your assigned projects from kick-off to start-up completion.
- Specify components and design architecture of electrical control systems per industry standard practices.
- Supervise the drafting and design team with development of schematics and layouts.
- Supervise the panel fabrication of your projects in our onsite fabrication facility.
- Development of PLC and HMI programming.
- VFD and Servo Motion programming.
- Testing and Simulation of Systems.
- Commissioning and start-up of industrial equipment in the field.
- Electrical controls field troubleshooting and problem solving.
- Overnight travel is required. (25%)
Requirements to Qualify:
- BSEE, BSME, or equivalent technical degree.
- Applicants should have 7+ years in the following areas: Electrical Schematic Design, PLC programming, HMI Programming, VFD Setup and parametrization, IO set up and checkout and PID Control setup and tuning.
- Able to work effectively individually and with a team.
- Strong mechanical aptitude.
- Excellent problem solving skills.
- Comfortable with hands-on work.
- A commitment to doing it right the first time.
- A valid driver’s license for travel
Primary Software/Hardware in use:
- Studio 5000, Factorytalk SE & ME, TIA Portal, WinCC, Wonderware, Ignition
- AB Controllogix, Powerflex VFD, Kinetix Motion, AB and Siemens Distributed IO, G120 & S120 Siemens drives.
Additional Preferred Skills/Abilities:
- Experience with programming and control of high speed motion systems.
- PLC based safety system development and programming.
- Advanced VFD control (Coordination/Registration)
- Cascading/Nested PID control setup and tuning.
- Process & Instrumentation diagram development experience.
- UL 508A and SCCR certification.
- Desire to mentor or supervise junior engineers.
Company Profile
Machine Solution Providers LLC has quickly grown to become a leading provider of equipment and services for industrial automation. Our expertise in engineering, programming, fabrication, and system commissioning enables us to provide high quality solutions for a wide variety of industries. As we continue to grow we continue to create opportunities for others to share in our success. If you would like to become a key contributor to a dynamic and growing company right here in Chicago’s western suburbs, MSP could be the right opportunity for you!
Salary and Benefits
- Base Salary with Annual Bonus and Travel Bonus opportunities
- Benefits including:
- Health, Dental, Vision insurance
- 401k plan with Matching
- 10 Vacation Days
- 5 Sick Days
- 10 Paid Holidays
- Life, LTD, and AD&D insurance – company paid
- Short Term Disability insurance – company paid
- Opportunities to learn from a strong and cohesive engineering team.
Job Type: Full-time – Hybrid
Hybrid opportunities based on Performance
If you are interested in joining our team, visit www.msp-inc.net and see what we are about.
Disclaimer: Please note that the estimated pay range that is provided on various sites may not be representative of MSP's range for this position.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $90,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Please tell us your desired salary.
- Are you willing to travel for 25–30%
Work Location: In person
Join a Collaborative and Motivated Team as an Electrical Controls Engineer!
Enjoy a culture that includes a casual dress code, flexible working hours, and a friendly environment that encourages sharing of knowledge and experience among your peers.
Take advantage of opportunities to be involved in new processes and innovations at a company where management values your knowledge, experience and ideas.
Varied project exposure from retro-fits/upgrades to Green-field manufacturing facilities.
If you think you would enjoy big company resources with a small company atmosphere then this could be the right opportunity for you!
As an Electrical Controls Engineer you would work in our Downers Grove, Illinois office.
Responsibilities include:
- Follow your assigned projects from kick-off to start-up completion.
- Specify components and design architecture of electrical control systems per industry standard practices.
- Supervise the drafting and design team with development of schematics and layouts.
- Supervise the panel fabrication of your projects in our onsite fabrication facility.
- Development of PLC and HMI programming.
- VFD and Servo Motion programming.
- Testing and Simulation of Systems.
- Commissioning and start-up of industrial equipment in the field.
- Electrical controls field troubleshooting and problem solving.
- Overnight travel is required. (25%)
Requirements to Qualify:
- BSEE, BSME, or equivalent technical degree.
- Applicants should have 7+ years in the following areas: Electrical Schematic Design, PLC programming, HMI Programming, VFD Setup and parametrization, IO set up and checkout and PID Control setup and tuning.
- Able to work effectively individually and with a team.
- Strong mechanical aptitude.
- Excellent problem solving skills.
- Comfortable with hands-on work.
- A commitment to doing it right the first time.
- A valid driver’s license for travel
Primary Software/Hardware in use:
- Studio 5000, Factorytalk SE & ME, TIA Portal, WinCC, Wonderware, Ignition
- AB Controllogix, Powerflex VFD, Kinetix Motion, AB and Siemens Distributed IO, G120 & S120 Siemens drives.
Additional Preferred Skills/Abilities:
- Experience with programming and control of high speed motion systems.
- PLC based safety system development and programming.
- Advanced VFD control (Coordination/Registration)
- Cascading/Nested PID control setup and tuning.
- Process & Instrumentation diagram development experience.
- UL 508A and SCCR certification.
- Desire to mentor or supervise junior engineers.
Company Profile
Machine Solution Providers LLC has quickly grown to become a leading provider of equipment and services for industrial automation. Our expertise in engineering, programming, fabrication, and system commissioning enables us to provide high quality solutions for a wide variety of industries. As we continue to grow we continue to create opportunities for others to share in our success. If you would like to become a key contributor to a dynamic and growing company right here in Chicago’s western suburbs, MSP could be the right opportunity for you!
Salary and Benefits
- Base Salary with Annual Bonus and Travel Bonus opportunities
- Benefits including:
- Health, Dental, Vision insurance
- 401k plan with Matching
- 10 Vacation Days
- 5 Sick Days
- 10 Paid Holidays
- Life, LTD, and AD&D insurance – company paid
- Short Term Disability insurance – company paid
- Opportunities to learn from a strong and cohesive engineering team.
Job Type: Full-time – Hybrid
Hybrid opportunities based on Performance
If you are interested in joining our team, visit www.msp-inc.net and see what we are about.
Disclaimer: Please note that the estimated pay range that is provided on various sites may not be representative of MSP's range for this position.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $90,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Please tell us your desired salary.
- Are you willing to travel for 25–30%
Work Location: In person
See All 9 Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsElectrical Controls Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Electrical Controls Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
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 Ozinga, MSP, and UCC Environmental, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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?
Libertyville, Mokena, and Moline 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 0% of electrical controls engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 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 9 Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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