Industrial Technician Jobs in Illinois
Industrial Technician jobs in Illinois are concentrated in manufacturing, food processing, and industrial automation, with strong demand at every level from entry-level maintenance roles to senior equipment specialists. Chicago, Rockford, and Peoria are the primary hiring centers, anchored by major employers like Caterpillar, Abbott Laboratories, and Kraft Heinz that maintain large production and facility operations across the state. The most in-demand specialties are PLC programming, predictive maintenance, and hydraulics and pneumatics systems. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Job Summary
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Industrial Tooling Technician to join our manufacturing team. In this role, you will be responsible for maintaining, and repairing precision tooling used in metal machining processes. Your expertise will ensure the production of high-quality components by setting up, troubleshooting, and optimizing tooling and machining equipment. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work with manufacturing technologies and contribute to the development of innovative tooling solutions that drive efficiency and quality.
Responsibilities
- Disassemble, clean, inspect, and rebuild high-wear tools such as progressive stamping dies, compound dies, and assembly swaging tools.
- Assemble complex mechanical tooling stacks, checking for micrometer-level clearances and alignments before they are loaded onto production machines.
- Use manual lathes, millers, surface grinders, and polishing wheels to rework or sharpen worn tool components, fixtures, or arbor teeth.
- Partner with machine operators to perform physical changeovers, adjust offsets, and resolve floor issues like component chattering, scoring, or out-of-roundness.
- Manage the tool crib, track tool life, document repair findings, and update spare parts lists to ensure critical production tooling never goes out of stock.
- Interpret mechanical blueprints, schematics, and technical drawings to accurately assemble, modify, and repair tooling components.
- Evaluate component designs to ensure parts can be produced efficiently and reliably without defects.
- Process Improvement: Optimize cycle times, reduce scrap rates, and implement lean manufacturing methods for production lines.
- Utilize CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software like SolidWorks to design or modify tooling parts and assemblies.
- Perform precision measurements using calipers, micrometers, dial indicators, and other measurement instruments to ensure tooling meets quality standards.
- Conduct routine maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs, and adjustments on tooling equipment to minimize downtime.
- Assist in the development and implementation of manufacturing processes related to metal stamping presses.
- Use manual machining tools such as grinders, lathe machines, mills, hand tools, and grinders for fine-tuning tooling components.
- Collaborate with engineering teams to improve tooling designs for better manufacturability and durability.
- Maintain detailed documentation of tooling setups, modifications, inspections, and repair activities.
Skills
- Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks for designing and interpreting tooling drawings.
- Experience with precision gauges, drop indicators, dial bore gauges, and micrometers.
- Understanding metals, thermal expansion, and tool coatings.
- Working closely with assemblers, quality inspectors, and process technicians on the factory floor.
- Hands-on skill with hydraulics, pneumatics, alignment fixtures, and heavy industrial assembly.
- Hands-on experience with tooling and metal stamping press tooling.
- Mechanical aptitude with a solid understanding of mechanical blueprint interpretation and shop math skills.
- Ability to operate manual machining tools including grinders, mills, lathes, calipers, micrometers, and measurement gauges.
- Experience with maintenance, repair & operations practices in a manufacturing environment.
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot complex tooling issues efficiently.
- Excellent communication skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced setting.
Join our team as an Industrial Tooling Technician if you’re passionate about precision manufacturing technology! Bring your mechanical expertise, technical skills in machining, and your enthusiasm for creating high-quality tooling solutions that keep production running smoothly. We value innovation, craftsmanship, safety consciousness—and we’re excited to see what you can bring to our dynamic manufacturing environment!
Pay: $28.00 - $34.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
See All 46 Industrial Technician Jobs in Illinois
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Find Industrial Technician JobsIndustrial Technician Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Industrial Technician Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Staffing & Recruiting
- Electronics & Hardware
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in industrial technician jobs across Illinois.
- Associate degree or technical diploma in industrial technology, electromechanical systems, or a related field
- Hands-on experience with PLCs, variable frequency drives, and automated production equipment
- Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, and equipment manuals
- Proficiency in preventive and predictive maintenance practices including vibration analysis and thermography
- OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 General Industry certification recognized by Illinois manufacturers
- Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean manufacturing or Six Sigma
Industrial Technician Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become an industrial technician in Illinois?
Illinois does not require a state-issued license specifically for industrial technicians, so the path runs through education and employer-recognized credentials. Most employers expect at least an associate degree in industrial technology or electromechanical systems from a community college like Elgin Community College, Parkland College, or Moraine Valley. Completing an apprenticeship through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity or earning certifications in PLC systems and OSHA safety strengthens a candidate's profile considerably.
Which companies hire industrial technicians in Illinois?
Companies currently hiring industrial technicians in Illinois include Austin Industrial, Konecranes, and Advanced Technology Services, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's dense manufacturing corridor, particularly around the Chicago metro and along the I-39 corridor, means large food, pharmaceutical, and heavy equipment producers keep a steady pipeline of technician openings throughout the year.
Which Illinois cities have the most industrial technician jobs?
Chicago, Decatur, and Melrose Park consistently post the most industrial technician openings in Illinois. Chicago leads because of its concentration of large food, chemical, and consumer goods facilities, while Rockford and Peoria are driven by heavy equipment manufacturers including Caterpillar's significant production footprint and the aerospace and defense suppliers clustered in the Rock River Valley.
Are there remote industrial technician jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of industrial technician openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, which reflects how hands-on the role fundamentally is. The portions of the work most likely to shift remote are documentation, PLC programming and simulation, and technical support roles that troubleshoot equipment issues through software rather than on the plant floor.
How can I get hired as an industrial technician in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is enrolling in an associate program at an Illinois community college and applying for internships or co-op placements before graduating. Large Illinois manufacturers like Caterpillar and Abbott run structured technician trainee and apprenticeship programs that accept candidates with limited experience. Moving laterally from a production operator or maintenance helper role within a facility is another common route, and earning an OSHA 10 certification and a basic PLC fundamentals credential from a community college gives entry-level applicants a meaningful advantage.
Where can I find and apply to industrial technician jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to industrial technician jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring in the state right now. Search the listings to find roles that fit your experience level, specialty, and preferred location, then apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 46 Industrial Technician Jobs in Illinois
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