Senior Automation Specialist Jobs in Illinois
Senior Automation Specialist jobs in Illinois are among the most active in the Midwest, concentrated in advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and industrial controls. Most hiring centers on the Chicago metropolitan area, Rockford, and Peoria, where employers such as Caterpillar, Abbott Laboratories, and Baxter International maintain deep engineering workforces. Candidates with expertise in PLC programming, SCADA systems, and robotics integration are consistently in highest demand across these sectors. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 4 of 22+ Senior Automation Specialist jobs
As a Senior Specialist – Industrial Automation, you will be responsible for providing pre or post-sales support and expertise to assist the Sales team in their sales efforts of industrial automation products, systems and services. You will use your specialized product knowledge to deliver presentations and product demonstrations to customers and sales representatives and will have a continuing role in customer support to address questions or issues in the usage of the products. You will also assist in the creation and execution of business plans.
Responsibilities:
- Makes sales calls, researches customer needs and develops product and application information, demonstrating technology solutions for customers.
- Expertise in industrial automation products; acts as domain expert internally and externally.
- Provides pre/post automation sales support for sales teams and customers.
- Assists Sales Representatives in finding new sales opportunities by teaching and guiding.
- Responsible for opportunity generation and target account planning.
- Executes business plans and assists in creation of plans.
- Participates in ongoing training to maintain technical competency in product and complementary product areas.
- Advises Purchasing and Inside Sales on product, suggested inventory, parts, delivery and price levels.
- Understands market conditions, competitive forces, and identifies areas for growth.
- Understands industry trends and technical developments that affect target markets.
- Administers and implements marketing, promotion programs, and product launches from product businesses.
- Maintains excellent relationships with vendor product managers and other selling resources.
Qualifications:
- High School Degree or Equivalent required; Bachelor’s Degree preferred
- 3+ years technical experience using automation products.
- Strong computer skills.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- 4 years preferred automation sales.
- 5+ years preferred technical experience using automation products
- Ability to travel up to 25%
For eligible positions, compensation may include participation in a bonus or sales incentive plan, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plan documents. For certain sales roles, Wesco also offers a commission structure that provides additional compensation based on sales results, as defined by the applicable commission plan.
In addition, Wesco offers a benefits program for eligible employees, which may include paid time off, medical, dental, and vision coverage, and retirement savings plans. Additional details about benefits are available here .
Our Company’s greatest asset is our people. Wesco is committed to fostering a workplace where every individual is respected, valued, and empowered to succeed. We promote a culture that is grounded in teamwork and respect. With a workforce of over 20,000 people worldwide, we embrace the unique perspectives each person brings. Through comprehensive benefits and active community engagement, we create an environment where every team member has the opportunity to thrive.
Learn more about Working at Wesco here and apply online today!
Founded in 1922 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Wesco is a publicly traded (NYSE: WCC) FORTUNE 500® company.
Wesco International, Inc., including its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Wesco”) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or other characteristics protected by law. US applicants only, we are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Los Angeles Unincorporated County Candidates Only: Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.
As a Senior Specialist – Industrial Automation, you will be responsible for providing pre or post-sales support and expertise to assist the Sales team in their sales efforts of industrial automation products, systems and services. You will use your specialized product knowledge to deliver presentations and product demonstrations to customers and sales representatives and will have a continuing role in customer support to address questions or issues in the usage of the products. You will also assist in the creation and execution of business plans.
Responsibilities:
- Makes sales calls, researches customer needs and develops product and application information, demonstrating technology solutions for customers.
- Expertise in industrial automation products; acts as domain expert internally and externally.
- Provides pre/post automation sales support for sales teams and customers.
- Assists Sales Representatives in finding new sales opportunities by teaching and guiding.
- Responsible for opportunity generation and target account planning.
- Executes business plans and assists in creation of plans.
- Participates in ongoing training to maintain technical competency in product and complementary product areas.
- Advises Purchasing and Inside Sales on product, suggested inventory, parts, delivery and price levels.
- Understands market conditions, competitive forces, and identifies areas for growth.
- Understands industry trends and technical developments that affect target markets.
- Administers and implements marketing, promotion programs, and product launches from product businesses.
- Maintains excellent relationships with vendor product managers and other selling resources.
Qualifications:
- High School Degree or Equivalent required; Bachelor’s Degree preferred
- 3+ years technical experience using automation products.
- Strong computer skills.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- 4 years preferred automation sales.
- 5+ years preferred technical experience using automation products
- Ability to travel up to 25%
For eligible positions, compensation may include participation in a bonus or sales incentive plan, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plan documents. For certain sales roles, Wesco also offers a commission structure that provides additional compensation based on sales results, as defined by the applicable commission plan.
In addition, Wesco offers a benefits program for eligible employees, which may include paid time off, medical, dental, and vision coverage, and retirement savings plans. Additional details about benefits are available here .
Our Company’s greatest asset is our people. Wesco is committed to fostering a workplace where every individual is respected, valued, and empowered to succeed. We promote a culture that is grounded in teamwork and respect. With a workforce of over 20,000 people worldwide, we embrace the unique perspectives each person brings. Through comprehensive benefits and active community engagement, we create an environment where every team member has the opportunity to thrive.
Learn more about Working at Wesco here and apply online today!
Founded in 1922 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Wesco is a publicly traded (NYSE: WCC) FORTUNE 500® company.
Wesco International, Inc., including its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Wesco”) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or other characteristics protected by law. US applicants only, we are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Los Angeles Unincorporated County Candidates Only: Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.
See All 22 Senior Automation Specialist Jobs in Illinois
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Find JobsSenior Automation Specialist Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior Automation Specialist Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Medical Devices
- Technology & Software
- Banking & Financial Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior automation specialist jobs across Illinois.
- Five or more years of hands-on PLC programming experience with Allen-Bradley or Siemens platforms
- Demonstrated experience designing and commissioning automated manufacturing or process control systems
- Proficiency with SCADA, HMI development, and industrial networking protocols such as Ethernet/IP
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a closely related technical field
- Experience leading cross-functional project teams from concept through validation and production handoff
- Familiarity with FDA, GMP, or ISO compliance requirements common in Illinois pharmaceutical and food manufacturing facilities
Senior Automation Specialist Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior automation specialist in Illinois?
Most Illinois employers expect a bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or systems engineering combined with substantial hands-on controls experience. Illinois does not require a state-issued license specifically for automation specialists, but candidates who hold a Professional Engineer license through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation carry a clear advantage for project-leadership roles. Practical PLC, robotics, and SCADA experience built in manufacturing or process industries is the most direct path to senior-level positions in the state.
Which companies hire senior automation specialists in Illinois?
Illinois senior automation specialist roles are posted by Wesco, AbbVie, and Motion and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's concentration of pharmaceutical manufacturers, food and beverage processors, and heavy equipment makers means sustained, consistent demand rather than seasonal spikes.
Which Illinois cities have the most senior automation specialist jobs?
Chicago, Aurora, and Normal account for the largest share of senior automation specialist openings in Illinois. Chicago and its suburbs drive volume through a dense cluster of life sciences companies, consumer goods manufacturers, and logistics automation firms, while Peoria's demand reflects Caterpillar's large engineering presence and the surrounding industrial supply chain that supports it.
Are there remote senior automation specialist jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Senior automation specialist work is fundamentally hands-on, requiring on-site commissioning, equipment troubleshooting, and factory-floor collaboration that cannot be done remotely. About 63% of senior automation specialist openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions typically involve the design, programming review, or project management phases rather than physical installation and validation work.
How can I get hired as a senior automation specialist in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a controls or automation technician role at an Illinois manufacturer, where hands-on PLC and wiring experience builds quickly. Large Illinois employers such as Caterpillar and Abbott run structured co-op and new-graduate engineering programs that feed into automation teams. Earning a Certified Automation Professional designation or completing coursework through an Illinois community college technical program strengthens a resume when direct experience is limited. Lateral moves from field service technician or electrical engineering associate roles are also a common bridge into automation.
Where can I find and apply to senior automation specialist jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to senior automation specialist jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and related industries. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 22 Senior Automation Specialist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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