Automation Controls Engineer

Location: Chicago, IL

Sector: Chemical Manufacturing

Travel: ~10–20% US-wide support

Schedule: Normal hours + occasional “when things break” moments

We’re working with one of the world’s global chemical manufacturing and engineering companies with billions in revenue and a global footprint.

They’re looking for an Automation Controls Engineer — someone who gets process control systems, doesn’t flinch at the idea of PLCs, and someone who can troubleshoot.

Here’s what you’ll actually do:

Be the go-to person for control and monitoring systems at air separation units across the U.S.

Own preventative and corrective maintenance of PLC-based systems.

Troubleshoot control hardware, software, instrumentation — and help others do the same.

Lead small-to-medium-sized system upgrade projects.

Collaborate with field engineers, management, and technical teams without losing patience.

What you’ll need:

3–5 years’ experience in a similar role (or solid equivalent).

An AS or BS in Engineering, or enough experience to make up for one.

Knowledge of batch chemical production, P&IDs, schematics, and control system architecture.

Comfortable with Allen Bradley, Siemens PCS7/Step 7, Modicon, Wonderware, iFIX, and networking.

Not afraid of a bit of travel.

Bonus points if you:

Know your way around air separation units.

Can explain the difference between a symptom and a root cause (without a PowerPoint).

Actually enjoy solving tough technical puzzles.

What’s in it for you?

Good salary for little experience

Proper benefits: health, dental, life, 401(k) with matching, pension.

A stable company that invests in tech and their people

A team that respects technical talent and lets engineers actually engineer.