Plant Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Plant engineer jobs in Illinois are consistently active, with strong demand across manufacturing, food processing, chemicals, and utilities, covering roles from entry-level process technicians to senior facility engineers. Chicago, Rockford, and the Joliet-Aurora corridor are the primary hiring centers, where companies like Caterpillar, Abbott Laboratories, and Kraft Heinz maintain substantial engineering operations. The most sought-after specialties in Illinois include process optimization, utility systems management, and reliability engineering. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles23
Top employerSargent & Lundy
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring16
Work type33% Remote
Top industryChemicals

Showing 5 of 23+ Plant Engineer jobs

Plant Electrical and Instrumentation Engineer - Decatur, IL
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Plant Electrical and Instrumentation Engineer - Decatur, IL
ADM
Decatur, Illinois
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
Technical Program Management
$47k - $101k/yr
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
10,000+

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Manufacturing Plant Engineer
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Added 3d ago
Manufacturing Plant Engineer
Combe
Rantoul, Illinois
Business Development
Corporate Development & M&A
Investment Operations
Procurement & Purchasing
$100k - $130k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's degree in engineering
201-500

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Plant Engineer (Process & Project)
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Added 1w ago
Plant Engineer (Process & Project)
Sherwin-Williams
Kankakee, Illinois
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
Manufacturing Engineering
Quality Control
$82k - $104k/yr
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
10,000+

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Plant Optimization Engineer (Chicago, IL)
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Plant Optimization Engineer (Chicago, IL)
Packaging Corporation of America
Chicago, Illinois
Customer Service
Engineering (Non-Software)
Technical Product & Program Management
$83k - $87k/yr
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
10,000+

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Inside Plant (ISP) Fiber Optic Engineer – High-Tech Connectivity, Data Centers - Remote (U.S.)
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Added 1w ago
Inside Plant (ISP) Fiber Optic Engineer – High-Tech Connectivity, Data Centers - Remote (U.S.)
AECOM
Chicago, Illinois
Consulting & Professional Services
Software Engineering
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
Technical Program Management
$90k - $120k/yr
Remote (US)
Bachelor's degree in engineering technology
10,000+

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See All 23 Plant Engineer Jobs in Illinois

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

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Plant Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Chicago
7 jobs
Mundelein
2 jobs
Peoria
1 job
Decatur
1 job
Henning
1 job
Rantoul
1 job
Kankakee
1 job
Mapleton
1 job
Marshall
1 job

Plant Engineer Job Market in Illinois

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

Who's Hiring

Sargent & Lundy3 open roles
Amcor2 open roles
ADM1 open role

Top Industries Hiring

  • Chemicals & Materials
  • Consulting & Professional Services

What Illinois Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in plant engineer jobs across Illinois.

  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, or chemical engineering from an accredited program
  • Professional Engineer license from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation preferred for senior roles
  • Three or more years of hands-on experience in a manufacturing or industrial plant environment
  • Proficiency with computerized maintenance management systems such as SAP PM or Maximo
  • Demonstrated knowledge of OSHA process safety management and Illinois environmental compliance standards
  • Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives using Lean or Six Sigma methodologies

Plant Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a plant engineer in Illinois?

Most plant engineer roles in Illinois require a bachelor's degree in mechanical, chemical, or industrial engineering from an ABET-accredited program. For senior or public-sector positions, a Professional Engineer license issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is a strong advantage and sometimes required. Candidates typically begin as process or facilities engineers, building experience in plant operations before advancing. Certifications in reliability engineering or Lean Six Sigma improve competitiveness in the Illinois market.

How much do plant engineers make in Illinois?

Plant 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 plant engineers in Illinois?

Employers hiring plant engineers in Illinois right now include Sargent & Lundy, Amcor, and ADM, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's concentration of large food, pharmaceutical, and industrial manufacturing operations means plant engineers here frequently work for companies with multiple facilities across the state.

Which Illinois cities have the most plant engineer jobs?

Chicago, Mundelein, and Peoria have the most plant engineer openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates due to its density of corporate headquarters and industrial facilities, while Rockford's long-standing machinery and aerospace manufacturing base and the Joliet-Aurora corridor's logistics and chemical processing plants generate consistent demand outside the main metro.

Are there remote plant engineer jobs in Illinois?

Yes, but they're rare. About 67% of plant engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on, on-site nature of most plant engineering work. The portions of the role most likely to allow remote flexibility include data analysis, reporting, and project engineering tasks that don't require a physical plant presence.

How can I get hired as a plant engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying to process or facilities engineer associate roles at large Illinois manufacturers such as food and beverage or pharmaceutical producers, which regularly recruit new graduates. Companies like Abbott and Kraft Heinz run structured rotational engineering programs designed for candidates without direct plant experience. Relevant internships, a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certificate, or prior technician or skilled-trades experience also make a strong case to Illinois hiring managers looking to grow engineers internally.

Where can I find and apply to plant engineer jobs in Illinois?

You can find and apply to plant engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across industries and experience levels. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your background and location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 23 Plant Engineer Jobs in Illinois

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

Find Plant Engineer Jobs