Manufacturing Process Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Manufacturing Process Engineer jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, concentrated in automotive, aerospace, food and beverage processing, and heavy industrial manufacturing, with openings at every level from entry-level process technician roles through senior and principal engineers. The busiest hiring markets are Chicago, Rockford, and Peoria, where established employers like Caterpillar, Abbott Laboratories, and Boeing have long-running engineering operations. Process improvement, lean manufacturing, and quality systems are the specialties Illinois employers request most consistently. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Reporting to the Business Unit Leader, you will drive operational excellence and continuous improvement at our Henning, IL production plant, home to PAM cooking spray. Within the Business Unit, you will lead Daily Management Systems, improve equipment reliability, advance digital tools, and develop team capability. You will partner across functions to analyze performance, prioritize improvements, lead structured problem solving, and deliver small projects and capital initiatives that support safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
A Taste of Your Responsibilities
- Own Daily Management Systems for the Business Unit, including creation, deployment, and sustainment of standards
- Apply technical knowledge of equipment functionality to improve reliability of mechanical, pneumatic, electrical, and hydraulic systems
- Develop employee capability related to systems, standards, and technical understanding
- Foster a culture of technological transformation through use, adoption, and improvement of digital tools
- Analyze data across Key Performance Indicators to identify, prioritize, and track improvement initiatives
- Lead small groups through structured problem solving using defined methodologies
- Manage small projects independently using appropriate tools within the Conagra Performance System
- Collaborate with Operations, Finance, Engineering, Supply Chain, Maintenance, and other partners
- Lead capital project initiatives within the Business Unit
- Provide direct oversight of assigned team members, administer discipline, and ensure consistent application of policies and procedures
- Perform other duties as required
Ingredients Required for Your Success
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering
- Proficiency in Microsoft applications including Power BI, Power Apps, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Technical knowledge and understanding of manufacturing systems and equipment
- Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and effective communication skills
Physical Requirements
More information about essential tasks and the facility will be shared during the hiring process. This role may require you to be in our manufacturing facilities. When visiting these sites, the physical requirements below may apply:
You may be required to walk around the facility, climb stairs/ladders, kneel, or perform repetitive tasks that require hand-eye coordination.
You may be required to lift or carry materials that can vary in weight and size.
This is a manufacturing environment with large, moving equipment. Noise levels can be high, and temperatures may vary.
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Compensation
Pay Range:$64,000-$95,000The annual salary listed above is the expected offering for this position. An employee’s actual annual salary will be based on but not limited to: location, relevant experience/level and skillset, while balancing internal Conagra employees’ equity. Conagra Brands will comply with applicable law regarding minimum salaries for exempt employees.
Our Benefits
We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role:
Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement
Wealth: Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan
Growth: Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement
Balance: Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities
Our Company
At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career. We're in the business of building champions – within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye®, Slim Jim® and Reddi-Wip®.
Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome.
Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.
See All 17 Manufacturing Process Engineer Jobs in Illinois
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Find JobsManufacturing Process Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Manufacturing Process Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Energy
- Automotive
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in manufacturing process engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering from an accredited program
- Hands-on experience applying lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or kaizen methodologies in a production environment
- Proficiency with CAD software such as AutoCAD or SolidWorks for process documentation and tooling design
- Demonstrated ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T specifications, and process flow diagrams
- Experience conducting root cause analysis and leading corrective action on production quality issues
- Familiarity with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or AS9100 quality management standards relevant to Illinois industry sectors
Manufacturing Process Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a manufacturing process engineer in Illinois?
Most manufacturing process engineers in Illinois enter the field with a bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering from an accredited university such as the University of Illinois, Illinois Institute of Technology, or Purdue's regional campuses. Illinois does not require a state-issued license for this role in most manufacturing settings, though engineers who sign off on public safety designs may pursue Professional Engineer licensure through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Employers also value Six Sigma and lean certifications.
How much do manufacturing process engineers make in Illinois?
Manufacturing process engineers in Illinois earn a median of about $100,540 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $73,780 for the lowest 10% to over $155,650 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire manufacturing process engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring manufacturing process engineers in Illinois right now include Flextron Circuit Assembly, ITW, and Abbott, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's concentration of automotive suppliers, aerospace manufacturers, and food processing companies means demand is distributed across both the Chicago metro and mid-state industrial corridors around Peoria and Rockford.
Which Illinois cities have the most manufacturing process engineer jobs?
Waukegan, Wood Dale, and Illinois account for the largest share of manufacturing process engineer openings in Illinois. Chicago's dense base of diversified manufacturers and corporate engineering centers drives the highest volume, while Peoria's concentration of heavy equipment production anchored by Caterpillar and Rockford's strong aerospace and precision machining clusters sustain consistent demand outside the metro.
Are there remote manufacturing process engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Manufacturing process engineering is a hands-on, plant-floor role, so most positions require on-site presence to observe production, troubleshoot equipment, and work with operators directly. About 29% of manufacturing process engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those tend to be process documentation, standards development, or multi-site coordination roles rather than day-to-day production support.
How can I get hired as a manufacturing process engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a process technician, manufacturing engineer in training, or quality engineer role at a large Illinois employer with structured rotational programs, such as those Caterpillar, Abbott, or Illinois Tool Works run for recent graduates. Community colleges like Moraine Valley and Rock Valley offer manufacturing technology certificates that give candidates a practical edge. Internships arranged through Illinois universities and co-op programs are the most direct route to a full-time offer in this field.
Where can I find and apply to manufacturing process engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to manufacturing process engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Search the listings, find roles that match your experience and target location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 17 Manufacturing Process Engineer Jobs in Illinois
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