Junior Controls Engineer - Automation

Ilocatum; Bridgeview (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Low-cost medical

Dental and vision coverage

Long-term career potential

Job summary

Ilocatum in the Chicago area is seeking a Junior Controls Engineer to join the maintenance team at a highly automated facility. The role focuses on keeping robotic systems, conveyors, and packaging lines running smoothly on a first shift, on site in Bridgeview, IL.

You will troubleshoot and repair electrical and electronic systems, adjust PLC programs, and interpret wiring diagrams, collaborating with internal teams and external contractors to maximize machine uptime.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, associate degree, or technical certification in controls, electrical systems, or a related field.
• Ability to read and interpret control schematics and electrical drawings.
• Familiarity with VFDs, servos, HMI interfaces, and industrial networks.
• Mechanical aptitude with experience repairing pneumatic and electrical components.
• Local candidates only, on-site work.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoots, repairs, and maintains electrical and electronic systems across production equipment, automated conveyors, packaging lines, and robotic cells.
• Adjusts and troubleshoots PLC programs to diagnose and resolve equipment issues.
• Reads, interprets, and redlines wiring schematics and control system drawings.
• Installs and inspects electrical conduit, raceway, and busbar systems per electrical codes.
• Pulls wire, terminates connections, and repairs electrical and pneumatic components using standard tools.
• Electrically tunes and troubleshoots equipment to maintain proper operation within tolerances.
• Inspects operating components to identify issues before downtime.
• Assembles, aligns, and installs equipment, collaborating with internal teams and external contractors.

Skills

PLC programming

Electrical troubleshooting

Schematic reading

HMI interfaces

Industrial networks

Mechanical aptitude

Education

Bachelor’s degree in controls or electrical systems

Associate degree or technical certification

Technical certification in controls

Tools

VFDs

Servos

Electrical wiring

Job description

Junior Controls Engineer

Bridgeview, IL | $40 to $45 Per Hour

This national manufacturer, operating multiple production facilities across North America, is hiring a Junior Controls Engineer to join the maintenance team at a highly automated facility in the Chicago area. The operation runs robotic systems, automated conveyors, and complex packaging lines, and this role sits at the center of keeping that equipment running.

Schedule

1st shift, on site, with optional overtime.

Compensation

$40 to $45 per hour, based on experience.

What You’ll Do

The Junior Controls Engineer troubleshoots, repairs, and maintains electrical and electronic systems across production equipment, automated conveyors, packaging lines, and robotic cells. This person adjusts and troubleshoots PLC programs to diagnose and resolve equipment issues, and reads, interprets, and redlines wiring schematics and control system drawings. The role includes adjusting parameters in machines, VFDs, and servos using built in HMI interfaces, installing and inspecting electrical conduit, raceway, and busbar systems per electrical codes, and pulling wire, terminating connections, and repairing electrical and pneumatic components using standard tools and procedures. This person electrically tunes and troubleshoots equipment to maintain proper operation within expected tolerances, inspects operating components to identify issues before they cause downtime, and assembles, aligns, and installs equipment as needed, working professionally alongside internal teams and external contractors.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, associate degree, or technical certification in controls, electrical systems, or a related field
• Ability to read and interpret control schematics and electrical drawings
• Familiarity with VFDs, servos, HMI interfaces, and industrial communications networks
• Mechanical aptitude with experience repairing pneumatic and electrical components
• Local candidates only, able to work on site

Preferred Qualifications

• 1 or more years of hands on PLC programming and electrical troubleshooting experience
• Experience working in an automated or robotics driven manufacturing environment

Compensation and Benefits

• Low cost medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Consistent 1st shift schedule with optional overtime
• Stable, well established operation with long term career potential