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Automation Simulation Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

FPGA Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$133K - $172K/yr

Perform simulation, validation, and debugging of FPGA designs to ensure performance, reliability ... systems, industrial automation, or embedded control systems is preferred. * Nice to have:

Sr. Software Test Engineer, Mobile

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$100K - $150K/yr

Lead automation efforts across both platforms, with a focus on long-term framework stability and ... Familiarity with iOS and Android internals, simulators, and emulators * Experience with cloud ...

Senior Control Systems Engineer

Aurora, IL · On-site

$165K - $171K/yr

Simulation testing of new automation programs and user acceptance testing in conjunction with cross ... Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical) At least 5 years of experience in industrial ...

Senior Control Systems Engineer

Aurora, IL · On-site

$165K - $171K/yr

Simulation testing of new automation programs and user acceptance testing in conjunction with cross ... Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical) At least 5 years of experience in industrial ...

Simulation Model Files Setup - Configure and validate simulation model files (SPICE models ... automation and flow development. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of ...

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, a related field, or ... Simulator (HFSS). * Knowledge of test automation and scripting languages (e.g., Python, MatLab ...

New

Controls Engineer

Chicago, IL

$86K - $111K/yr

... testing, simulation, and validation Commission and start up equipment at customer sites ... Rockwell Automation (Studio 5000, FactoryTalk SE/ME) Siemens (TIA Portal, WinCC) Wonderware ...

Sr. RF Engineer

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$101K - $202K/yr

We engineer our products from start to finish and manufacture them in-house. We're known for low ... simulation tools (ADS, MATLAB, HFSS, CST, PSPICE, etc.), and lab automation (Python, LabView)

Sr. RF Engineer

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$101K - $202K/yr

We engineer our products from start to finish and manufacture them in-house. We're known for low ... simulation tools (ADS, MATLAB, HFSS, CST, PSPICE, etc.), and lab automation (Python, LabView)

We are looking for an HPC Data Center Production Engineer to build and own the automation and ... Build outage simulation tooling to model the impact of power, cooling, or network failures across ...

We are looking for an HPC Data Center Production Engineer to build and own the automation and ... Build outage simulation tooling to model the impact of power, cooling, or network failures across ...

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Showing results 1-20

Automation Simulation Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$40.2K

$127.1K

$196.2K

How much do automation simulation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for automation simulation engineer in Chicago, IL is $127,119.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,800.00 and $150,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Automation Simulation Engineers?

Automation Simulation Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and test virtual models of automated systems, such as robotics, manufacturing lines, or industrial processes. They use simulation software to replicate real-world operations, helping companies optimize performance, identify issues, and reduce costs before actual implementation. Their work is crucial in industries like automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing, where efficiency and precision are vital. By simulating automation systems, they enable organizations to make informed decisions and improve overall productivity.

Will AI replace automation engineer?

AI is a tool that can automate certain tasks within an automation simulation engineer's role, but it is unlikely to fully replace the need for human expertise. Automation engineers are essential for designing, implementing, and maintaining complex systems that require critical thinking, problem-solving, and domain knowledge. Skills in programming, control systems, and understanding of industrial processes remain vital in this evolving field.

What is the difference between Automation Simulation Engineer vs Automation Test Engineer?

AspectAutomation Simulation EngineerAutomation Test Engineer
Primary FocusDeveloping and validating simulation models for automation systemsDesigning and executing automated tests for software and hardware
Required SkillsSimulation software, control systems, programming (e.g., Python, MATLAB)Testing frameworks, scripting, defect tracking
Work EnvironmentEngineering labs, R&D departments, manufacturing settingsSoftware development teams, QA departments, manufacturing
Industry UsageManufacturing, robotics, industrial automationSoftware development, electronics, automation industries

While both roles involve automation, the Automation Simulation Engineer focuses on creating virtual models to test automation systems, whereas the Automation Test Engineer concentrates on executing automated tests to ensure software and hardware quality. Both roles require technical skills and are vital in automation industries, but their core responsibilities differ significantly.

How does an Automation Simulation Engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during project development?

Automation Simulation Engineers frequently work alongside controls engineers, mechanical designers, and project managers to ensure simulation models accurately reflect real-world system behaviors. Collaboration often involves participating in design reviews, sharing simulation results, and iterating on model parameters based on feedback from different departments. Effective communication and teamwork are crucial, as simulation insights guide design choices, troubleshoot potential issues, and optimize automation processes before physical implementation. This cross-disciplinary approach ensures smoother project execution and greater system reliability.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Automation Simulation Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Automation Simulation Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, control systems, and process automation, usually supported by a degree in electrical, mechanical, or automation engineering. Proficiency with simulation software (such as Siemens Tecnomatix, Rockwell Arena, or MATLAB/Simulink), programming languages, and PLC systems is crucial, and certifications in automation or simulation tools are often valued. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills enable you to interpret complex data and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. These skills are essential to ensure accurate modeling, efficient automation solutions, and successful project outcomes in industrial environments.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, petroleum engineering, and aerospace engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. High compensation often involves bonuses, stock options, or profit sharing, particularly in technology and energy sectors.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior automation simulation engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in programming, and expertise in tools like MATLAB or Simulink can reach or exceed a $300,000 annual salary. Such roles often require specialized knowledge, certifications, and work in high-demand industries like aerospace, automotive, or manufacturing automation.

What is the average salary for a simulation engineer?

The average salary for a simulation engineer typically ranges from $70,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Professionals with specialized skills in simulation software and programming may earn higher salaries, especially in advanced engineering fields or with certifications.
What job categories do people searching Automation Simulation Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Automation Simulation Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Automation Simulation Engineer jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Automation Simulation Engineer job openings:
Senior Site Reliability Engineer

Senior Site Reliability Engineer

Parallel Domain

Mundelein, IL • Remote

$58.25 - $77.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

About the Role

Before an autonomous vehicle navigates a busy intersection, before a robot learns to pick and place in a warehouse, before any Physical AI system is trusted in the real world, it has to prove itself in ours. Parallel Domain builds the platform that validates the next generation of autonomous systems in high-fidelity virtual environments, and the infrastructure underneath that platform is what makes simulation at scale possible.

We're hiring a Senior Site Reliability Engineer to help build and operate that infrastructure. This role sits at the core of how we run large-scale, distributed simulation workloads for autonomous-systems testing and validation. You'll work across multi-region AWS infrastructure, operate Kubernetes at scale, and contribute directly to reliability, security, and deployment systems that the rest of the engineering org depends on.

This is a hands-on role with the broad ownership typical of a startup. You'll partner closely with platform, simulation, and ML teams to keep the system running smoothly and evolving. We're growing the team—two of these roles are open—and the work is substantive: multi-region GPU scheduling, Windows workloads on Kubernetes, large-scale batch simulation, and an enterprise product direction that will require rethinking parts of how we deploy and operate.

Responsibilities
  • Infrastructure ownership and cloud operations. Design, build, and maintain multi-region AWS infrastructure using Terraform. Operate and scale EKS clusters across production regions: autoscaling, node lifecycle, workload health. Manage networking across environments: VPC design, DNS, load balancing, and cross-region connectivity. Support infrastructure changes, migrations, and expansions into new regions. Contribute to and improve GitOps-based deployment workflows using GitHub Actions, Helm, and Kustomize.

  • Reliability engineering and incident response. Help build and run incident management processes: severity definitions, escalation paths, on-call practices. Lead incident response, debugging, and root-cause analysis. Write postmortems and drive systemic reliability improvements from what they surface. Improve observability across metrics, logging, tracing, and dashboards. Support GPU and batch workloads running on Kubernetes.

  • Security and access management. Provide security-conscious feedback on platform architecture decisions. Own cloud IAM governance: roles, policies, and access boundaries across accounts and services. Lead compliance-adjacent work including audit-readiness, partner certification requirements, and supporting responses to customer security questionnaires.

  • Platform tooling and developer experience. Improve CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure validation. Support engineers with infrastructure debugging, environment setup, and performance issues. Contribute to tooling and automation in Python and Bash. Take on adjacent responsibilities as needed in a startup environment.
 
Required Qualifications
  • Experience. 5+ years in SRE, DevOps, or infrastructure engineering roles, with a track record of operating production systems across multiple regions.

  • Terraform. Modules, state management, and multi-environment patterns.

  • AWS depth. Solid experience across VPC, IAM, EKS, S3, and CloudWatch.

  • Kubernetes expertise. Cluster operations, autoscaling, RBAC, and Helm.

  • CI/CD and GitOps. Experience with GitHub Actions, ArgoCD, or similar workflows.

  • Networking fundamentals. CIDR, DNS, load balancing, VPN, and cross-region connectivity.

  • Observability. Experience with tooling such as Prometheus and Grafana.

  • Scripting. Comfort with Python and Bash for tooling and automation.

  • Cross-platform familiarity. Working knowledge of both Linux and Windows environments. Operational experience supporting Windows-based workloads is a meaningful advantage.

  • Pragmatism and ownership. Comfortable in a fast-moving startup with evolving priorities. You take ownership of systems while collaborating closely with other teams, and you're pragmatic about tradeoffs between speed, reliability, and complexity.
 
Preferred Qualifications
  • Windows on Kubernetes. Experience with Windows node pools, Windows AMIs, and GPU-adjacent components on K8s.

  • GPU scheduling. Familiarity with GPU scheduling on Kubernetes, including NVIDIA device plugin configuration.

  • Domain workloads. Experience supporting simulation, ML, or rendering workloads in cloud infrastructure.

  • AWS extras. Exposure to AWS Storage Gateway, Active Directory integrations, or AWS Transfer Family.

  • Service mesh. Familiarity with service proxy or service mesh patterns.

  • Container OS. Experience with container-optimized OS images (e.g., Bottlerocket, Packer).

  • Cost optimization. Cloud cost optimization at scale.
 
Core Tools
Terraform · AWS · Kubernetes · Helm · Kustomize · ArgoCD · GitHub Actions · Prometheus · Grafana · Docker · Python · Bash
What Makes a Great Candidate
You think in failure modes and proactively surface issues. You hold a principled view on security and push back constructively when designs introduce unnecessary risk. You communicate clearly across engineering, product, and customer-facing teams, flagging issues with urgency proportional to customer impact. You take end-to-end ownership of complex efforts and know when to push for the clean solution versus the pragmatic one.
Base salary range of CAD $145,000–$185,000, depending on skills, qualifications, and experience, plus equity, full health/dental/vision coverage, learning stipend, and generous vacation. This role is remote-friendly across Canada and the US Pacific Northwest.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.