Controls & Automation Engineering Specialist

Caterpillar Brazil; Peoria, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 128,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Visa sponsorship

Travel opportunities

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in East Peoria, IL seeks a Controls & Automation Engineering Specialist to support heat treat operations, induction processing, and automation across multiple facilities. You will optimize PLC-based controls, integrate new equipment, and develop energy dashboards.

Responsibilities include on-site and remote diagnostics, capital project support, and cross-site training to improve uptime and efficiency in manufacturing systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer or Electrical Engineering.
• Strong PLC, HMI/SCADA, and industrial automation experience.
• Diagnose and resolve complex production system issues under pressure.
• Experience connecting equipment, PLCs, databases, and enterprise systems.
• Experience with data collection and visualization tools (Power BI).

Responsibilities

• Own troubleshooting, modification, and support of PLC-controlled manufacturing systems in production environments.
• Maintain and optimize PLC ladder logic, HMI/SCADA systems (including Wonderware).
• Integrate new equipment, sensors, and systems into existing PLC frameworks.
• Diagnose system faults and implement corrective actions to restore uptime.
• Lead integration of automation systems including robotics and vision systems.
• Provide on-site and remote diagnostics to minimize downtime across facilities.
• Design, install, and integrate energy metering systems and dashboards.
• Support capital projects including furnace installations and automation upgrades.
• Train maintenance teams and provide cross-site knowledge transfer.

Skills

PLC & HMI/SCADA

Troubleshooting

Systems integration

Manufacturing engineering

Data analytics

Project execution

Communication

Self-directed

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Wonderware

Power BI

PLC programming

Job description

## Controls & Automation Engineering SpecialistApply: East Peoria, Illinois: Full time: Posted Yesterday: R0000394073**Career Area:**Engineering**Job Description:****Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.**When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.**Hear about the Caterpillar Experience for yourself****Role Definition**Caterpillar’s Advanced Materials Technology Department is currently seeking a Controls & Automation Engineering Specialist to support heat treat operations, induction processing systems, and advanced manufacturing technologies across multiple facilities. This role blends metallurgical engineering expertise with automation, process control, and manufacturing systems integration to optimize product quality, process capability, equipment reliability, and operational efficiency.**What You Will Do****PLC, Controls & Automation Systems*** Own troubleshooting, modification, and support of PLC-controlled manufacturing systems in production environments* Maintain and optimize PLC ladder logic, HMI/SCADA systems (including Wonderware), and controls architecture* Integrate new equipment, sensors, and systems into existing PLC frameworks* Diagnose system faults and implement corrective actions to restore uptime**Heat Treat & Induction Equipment*** Provide controls and electrical support for heat treat furnaces, induction systems, and related equipment* Support commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting of furnace cells and automation systems* Execute control revisions and upgrades for new and existing heat treat technologies**Manufacturing Systems Integration*** Lead integration of automation systems including robotics, MECCO printers, vision systems, and material handling* Configure communication between PLCs, HMIs, databases, and enterprise systems* Support recipe management, data collection systems, and plant-level automation architecture**On-Floor Diagnostics & Troubleshooting*** Perform advanced troubleshooting of electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems in live production environments* Provide rapid response support to minimize downtime across multiple facilities* Deliver both on-site and remote technical support across geographically distributed operations**Energy Monitoring & Digital Systems*** Design, install, and integrate power and gas metering systems into manufacturing equipment* Develop and maintain Power BI dashboards for energy monitoring and reporting* Enable data-driven decision making through system integration and reporting tools**Capital Projects & Commissioning*** Support implementation of capital projects including furnace installations, automation upgrades, and new production cells* Perform equipment commissioning, system validation, and startup support* Bridge manpower gaps on high-impact projects to ensure successful delivery**Training & Cross-Site Support*** Train maintenance teams on troubleshooting PLC and automation systems to increase plant self-sufficiency* Provide technical mentorship and knowledge transfer to operations and engineering teams* Support multiple facilities across the U.S. and Mexico through travel and remote engagement**Degree Requirement*** Bachelor's degree in Computer or Electrical Engineering required.**What you must have (skills)*** **Controls Engineering:** Strong PLC, HMI/SCADA, and industrial automation experience* **Troubleshooting:** Ability to diagnose and resolve complex production system issues under pressure* **Systems Integration:** Experience connecting equipment, PLCs, databases, and enterprise systems* **Manufacturing Engineering:** Knowledge of industrial equipment, particularly heat treat and automated systems* **Data & Analytics:** Experience with data collection and visualization tools (e.g., Power BI)* **Project Execution:** Ability to support commissioning, upgrades, and capital projects* **Communication:** Ability to work across sites, teams, and functions effectively* **Self-Directed Execution:** Comfortable operating as a primary or sole controls resource across multiple locations**Additional Information*** This position posting will close on 9/18/2026 at 11:59 p.m.* This position will be located onsite 5 days a week in East Peoria, IL (Building AD).* Domestic relocation is Available* VISA Sponsorship is Available* Travel requirements will be less than 10%.**Final details**Please frequently check the email associated with your application, including the junk/spam folder, as this is the primary correspondence method. If you wish to know the status of your application – please use the candidate log-in on our career website as it will reflect any updates to your status.#LI #MilitaryMonday #Letsdothework #caterpillarinc #Iamcaterpillar### ### **Summary Pay Range:**$128,470.00 - $192,710.00Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.**Benefits:**Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.* Medical, dental, and vision benefits\\** Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)\\** 401(k) savings plans\\** Health Savings Account (HSA)\\** Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)\\** Health Lifestyle Programs\\** Employee Assistance Program\\** Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts\\** Career Development\\** Incentive bonus\\** Disability benefits* Life Insurance* Parental leave* Adoption benefits* Tuition Reimbursement