Manufacturing Associate Jobs in Illinois

Manufacturing Associate jobs in Illinois are consistently active, concentrated in food and beverage processing, automotive components, industrial equipment, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, with openings available from entry-level production floor roles through senior process and quality positions. The heaviest hiring is in the Chicago metro, Rockford, and Joliet, where established employers like Caterpillar, Abbott Laboratories, and Kraft Heinz maintain large Illinois manufacturing footprints. Demand is especially strong in areas like quality control, lean manufacturing, and production operations. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles20
Top employerAbbVie
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring15
Work type75% On-site
Top industryBiotechnology

Showing 5 of 20+ Manufacturing Associate jobs

G&W Electric Company
Manufacturing Associate I (6:00am to 6:00pm) D shift
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G&W Electric Company
New 13h ago
Manufacturing Associate I (6:00am to 6:00pm) D shift
G&W Electric Company
Bolingbrook, Illinois
Business Development
Growth Marketing
Marketing
501-1,000

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L
Food Production Associate (Food Manufacturing) – Food Production
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L
Added 1d ago
Food Production Associate (Food Manufacturing) – Food Production
Lazaal foods
Franklin Park, Illinois
Factory & Production Work
Manufacturing Operations
Quality Control
$18 - $21/hr
On-Site

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General Mills
Internship - Manufacturing & Engineering Associate
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General Mills
Added 1d ago
Internship - Manufacturing & Engineering Associate
General Mills
Belvidere, Illinois
Electrical Engineering
Maintenance & Repair
Skilled Trades
10,000+

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Sheridan
Manufacturing Associate - Press
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Sheridan
Added 1d ago
Manufacturing Associate - Press
Sheridan
Pontiac, Illinois
Customer Service
Customer Success
Customer Support
$15 - $16.5/hr

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Northrop Grumman
2026 Associate Embedded Software Engineer (Manufacturing) - Rolling Meadows IL
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Northrop Grumman
Added 5d ago
2026 Associate Embedded Software Engineer (Manufacturing) - Rolling Meadows IL
Northrop Grumman
Rolling Meadows, Illinois
Business Strategy
Product Management
Project Management
$73k - $109k/yr
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
10,000+

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See All 20 Manufacturing Associate Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Manufacturing Associate Jobs

Manufacturing Associate Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Chicago
3 jobs
Belvidere
2 jobs
Bolingbrook
2 jobs
North Chicago
2 jobs
Cary
1 job
Fulton
1 job
Pontiac
1 job
Lockport
1 job
Richmond
1 job

Manufacturing Associate Job Market in Illinois

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

Who's Hiring

AbbVie
AbbVie2 open roles
G&W Electric Company
G&W Electric Company2 open roles
48forty Solutions
48forty Solutions2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
  • Consulting & Professional Services

What Illinois Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in manufacturing associate jobs across Illinois.

  • High school diploma or GED required, with some employers preferring an associate degree in manufacturing technology
  • Hands-on experience operating production machinery or assembly line equipment in a regulated environment
  • Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices and quality control documentation standards
  • Ability to read and follow standard operating procedures, work orders, and technical specifications
  • Physical ability to stand for extended periods, lift up to fifty pounds, and work rotating shifts
  • Basic proficiency with inventory tracking systems or manufacturing execution software preferred

Manufacturing Associate Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a manufacturing associate in Illinois?

Most Illinois employers hire manufacturing associates with a high school diploma or GED, though an associate degree from a program like those offered through Illinois community colleges in manufacturing technology or industrial operations can strengthen your application. No state-issued license is required for general manufacturing associate work in Illinois, but certifications in forklift operation, OSHA safety standards, or lean manufacturing are recognized by Illinois employers as meaningful credentials.

Which companies hire manufacturing associates in Illinois?

Employers hiring manufacturing associates in Illinois right now include AbbVie, G&W Electric Company, and 48forty Solutions, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's strong base of food processing, pharmaceutical, and heavy industrial firms means manufacturing associate demand stays broad across both the Chicago metro and downstate manufacturing corridors.

Which Illinois cities have the most manufacturing associate jobs?

Chicago, Belvidere, and Bolingbrook have the most manufacturing associate openings in Illinois. The Chicago metro drives the largest share of listings due to its dense concentration of food processing plants, logistics facilities, and pharmaceutical manufacturers, while Rockford and Joliet reflect strong demand from the industrial equipment and automotive components sectors that anchor those regional economies.

Are there remote manufacturing associate jobs in Illinois?

Yes, but they're rare. Manufacturing associate work is fundamentally hands-on and tied to a production floor, so most roles require daily on-site presence. About 25% of manufacturing associate openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those exceptions tend to concentrate in quality documentation, production scheduling, or process improvement support functions rather than direct production work.

How can I get hired as a manufacturing associate in Illinois with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying for a production technician trainee or general labor role at an Illinois food, pharmaceutical, or industrial manufacturer, where on-the-job training is standard. Large Illinois employers including Abbott and Caterpillar run structured associate programs that onboard candidates without prior manufacturing backgrounds. Community colleges across Illinois also offer short-term manufacturing certifications that help entry-level candidates stand out, and transitioning from adjacent roles in warehouse operations or quality inspection is a common route in.

Where can I find and apply to manufacturing associate jobs in Illinois?

You can find and apply to manufacturing associate jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across the state's major manufacturing hubs and industries. Find roles that fit your experience and location, then apply directly to the employers posting them.

See All 20 Manufacturing Associate Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Manufacturing Associate Jobs