Manufacturing Technician Jobs in Illinois
Manufacturing Technician jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, concentrated in aerospace and defense, automotive, food and beverage processing, and industrial equipment manufacturing, with openings from entry-level to senior technician. The heaviest hiring activity runs through the Chicago metro, Rockford, and Peoria, where established employers like Caterpillar, Boeing, and Abbott Laboratories maintain large manufacturing operations. Automation technician, quality control technician, and CNC machining specialist are among the most sought-after specialties in the state right now. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 40+ Manufacturing Technician jobs
Summary
Manufacturing Maintenance Technician reports to the Electronics Process Engineer Supervisor with a primary focus on machine setup, programming, troubleshooting/repair as well as preventative maintenance. Standard hours of 5am - 3:30pm.
Responsibilities
- Coordinate preventive maintenance tasks with Production Supervisor(s) and schedule downtime.
- Return equipment to functional condition by determining malfunctioning components through diagnosis techniques.
- Program SMT, Radial, WaveSolder/Selective Solder & Encapsulation/ coating equipment to produce production products.
- Contact suppliers and OEMs, request quotes, and serve as liaison to outside service personnel as needed. Maintain all spare parts for manufacturing equipment and track receipt and usage.
- Communicate with manufacturing engineers on performance and functionality issues of existing equipment.
- Assist with written studies as required and document recommendations for review on future equipment. Assist in the development of work instructions, equipment logs, material/supply specifications and machine history documents. Maintain troubleshooting documentation and assist production employees with access to it and interpretation of it.
- Maintain an organized, clean, and safe work environment including toolboxes, cabinets, and shelves.
- Attend technical training on manufacturing/maintenance/troubleshooting/programming to stay informed of industry practices and standards.
Required Qualifications/Skills:
- Proficient in reading/writing/typing in English. Comprehend written, visual, and verbal instructions. Experience presenting information in small group situations. Excellent reasoning skills related to cause and effect.
- Add, subtract, multiply, divide, and convert several units of measure, using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.
- Strong experience with computers, internet, smart phone/tablet, Microsoft software (Word, Excel, Outlook).
- Stand, walk, stoop, kneel, & crouch in and around tightly configured equipment. Occasionally lift and carry 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move 75 pounds.
Required Education and Licensing
- 1-3 years of similar work experience with an Associates of Science in technology related field preferred.
Benefits
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Company Paid Life/ADD
- Voluntary Life/ADD
- Dependent Life/ADD
- 401k with Employer Match
- Vacation
- Personal Time
- Watchfire is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs.
- Legal authorization to work in the US required. We will not consider candidates who need sponsorship, now or in the future, to be legally employed in the US. No H1B, OPT, CPT or other “temporary work authorization” candidates will be considered.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
Summary
Manufacturing Maintenance Technician reports to the Electronics Process Engineer Supervisor with a primary focus on machine setup, programming, troubleshooting/repair as well as preventative maintenance. Standard hours of 5am - 3:30pm.
Responsibilities
- Coordinate preventive maintenance tasks with Production Supervisor(s) and schedule downtime.
- Return equipment to functional condition by determining malfunctioning components through diagnosis techniques.
- Program SMT, Radial, WaveSolder/Selective Solder & Encapsulation/ coating equipment to produce production products.
- Contact suppliers and OEMs, request quotes, and serve as liaison to outside service personnel as needed. Maintain all spare parts for manufacturing equipment and track receipt and usage.
- Communicate with manufacturing engineers on performance and functionality issues of existing equipment.
- Assist with written studies as required and document recommendations for review on future equipment. Assist in the development of work instructions, equipment logs, material/supply specifications and machine history documents. Maintain troubleshooting documentation and assist production employees with access to it and interpretation of it.
- Maintain an organized, clean, and safe work environment including toolboxes, cabinets, and shelves.
- Attend technical training on manufacturing/maintenance/troubleshooting/programming to stay informed of industry practices and standards.
Required Qualifications/Skills:
- Proficient in reading/writing/typing in English. Comprehend written, visual, and verbal instructions. Experience presenting information in small group situations. Excellent reasoning skills related to cause and effect.
- Add, subtract, multiply, divide, and convert several units of measure, using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.
- Strong experience with computers, internet, smart phone/tablet, Microsoft software (Word, Excel, Outlook).
- Stand, walk, stoop, kneel, & crouch in and around tightly configured equipment. Occasionally lift and carry 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move 75 pounds.
Required Education and Licensing
- 1-3 years of similar work experience with an Associates of Science in technology related field preferred.
Benefits
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Company Paid Life/ADD
- Voluntary Life/ADD
- Dependent Life/ADD
- 401k with Employer Match
- Vacation
- Personal Time
- Watchfire is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs.
- Legal authorization to work in the US required. We will not consider candidates who need sponsorship, now or in the future, to be legally employed in the US. No H1B, OPT, CPT or other “temporary work authorization” candidates will be considered.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 40 Manufacturing Technician Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Manufacturing Technician JobsManufacturing Technician Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Manufacturing Technician Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Chemicals & Materials
- Education
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in manufacturing technician jobs across Illinois.
- Associate degree or technical certificate in manufacturing technology, electronics, or mechatronics
- Hands-on experience with CNC machining, PLCs, or automated production equipment
- Familiarity with quality standards such as ISO 9001 or AS9100 used widely in Illinois facilities
- Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, schematics, and work instructions
- Experience with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or 5S principles common in Illinois plants
- Strong mechanical troubleshooting skills and comfort working in a production floor environment
Manufacturing Technician Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a manufacturing technician in Illinois?
The most direct path is completing an associate degree or technical certificate in manufacturing technology, mechatronics, or industrial electronics at an Illinois community college such as those in the City Colleges of Chicago system, Moraine Valley Community College, or Illinois Central College. Illinois does not require a state-issued license specifically for manufacturing technicians, but employers widely value industry certifications such as the NIMS Machining credential or a Six Sigma belt, which signal job-ready skills to hiring managers.
Which companies hire manufacturing technicians in Illinois?
Employers hiring manufacturing technicians in Illinois right now include MAPEI Corporation, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, and OPmobility, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's dense mix of aerospace, medical device, and heavy equipment manufacturers means openings are spread across both the Chicago metro and downstate industrial corridors.
Which Illinois cities have the most manufacturing technician jobs?
The cities with the most manufacturing technician openings in Illinois are Aurora, Morton Grove, and Saint Charles. The Chicago metro dominates because of its concentration of aerospace, food processing, and medical device facilities, while Rockford's long-standing machine tool and aerospace supply chain and Peoria's heavy equipment manufacturing base, anchored by Caterpillar, drive strong demand in those markets.
Are there remote manufacturing technician jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Manufacturing technician work is fundamentally hands-on and tied to production equipment, so most roles require on-site presence. About 0% of manufacturing technician openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions tend to involve quality documentation, technical support, or process engineering tasks rather than direct equipment operation.
How can I get hired as a manufacturing technician in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is a registered apprenticeship or co-op program, and Illinois candidates can search registered apprenticeships through the Illinois Department of Employment Security and Illinois Department of Labor. Large manufacturers like Caterpillar and Boeing's Ridley Park and Illinois operations run structured early-career programs. Candidates moving from adjacent roles such as production assembler, machine operator, or quality inspector gain a strong foothold, and earning a NIMS or CompTIA Electronics technician certification accelerates the transition.
Where can I find and apply to manufacturing technician jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to manufacturing technician jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings from employers actively hiring. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 40 Manufacturing Technician Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Manufacturing Technician Jobs