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Controls Design Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Senior Design Engineer - Bridge Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid - Flexible Schedule, Partial Remote ... Provide financial oversight on project schedules, budgets, and contract controls. * Successfully ...

Senior Design Engineer - Bridge Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid - Flexible Schedule, Partial Remote ... Provide financial oversight on project schedules, budgets, and contract controls. * Successfully ...

Senior Design Engineer - Bridge Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid - Flexible Schedule, Partial Remote ... Provide financial oversight on project schedules, budgets, and contract controls. * Successfully ...

... controls for various projects * Provide electrical design direction projects and work with national ... Provide value engineering reviews and alternate design options in order to maximize cost savings ...

... controls for various projects * Provide electrical design direction projects and work with national ... Provide value engineering reviews and alternate design options in order to maximize cost savings ...

... controls for various projects * Provide electrical design direction projects and work with national ... Provide value engineering reviews and alternate design options in order to maximize cost savings ...

... controls, building management solutions, and an audio, video and control platform. We focus on ... In everything the Lead Design Engineer does, both in projects and daily tasks, LEAN Process ...

... controls, building management solutions, and an audio, video and control platform. We focus on ... In everything the Lead Design Engineer does, both in projects and daily tasks, LEAN Process ...

... and controls system design to meet our clients' expectations and needs. This engineer will be ... required to travel for approximately 10% of the time. This is a hybrid role based in our downtown ...

Controls Engineer

Merrillville, IN · On-site

$82K - $106K/yr

Southlake Automation is seeking a full-time Controls Engineer who is interested in experiencing a ... This includes the electrical control design, programming, commissioning, panel build supervision ...

Controls Engineer

Merrillville, IN · On-site

$82K - $106K/yr

Salary: Southlake Automation is seeking a full-time Controls Engineer who is interested in ... This includes the electrical control design, programming, commissioning, panel build supervision ...

Showing results 21-40

Controls Design Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$61.8K

$94.9K

$121.6K

How much do controls design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for controls design engineer in Chicago, IL is $94,867.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,900.00 and $107,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a controls design engineer typically collaborate with other engineering disciplines during a project?

Controls Design Engineers frequently work cross-functionally with mechanical, electrical, and software engineering teams to ensure that control systems integrate seamlessly with the overall machinery or process. They often participate in design reviews, coordinate interface requirements, and troubleshoot issues that arise during system integration. Clear communication and teamwork are essential, as controls must align with both hardware constraints and operational objectives. This collaborative environment fosters learning and can open doors for career advancement into project management or specialized technical roles.

What does a controls design engineer do?

A Controls Design Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and implementing control systems used to operate machinery and processes in industries such as manufacturing, automotive, and energy. They create schematics, select control components, and program controllers to ensure systems operate efficiently and safely. Their work often involves collaborating with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to integrate complex automation solutions. Additionally, they troubleshoot existing systems and optimize performance to meet project requirements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a controls design engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Controls Design Engineer, you need strong knowledge of electrical engineering principles, control systems, and automation, generally supported by a degree in electrical or mechanical engineering. Familiarity with PLC programming, CAD software (such as AutoCAD or EPLAN), and relevant industry certifications like Certified Automation Professional (CAP) are typically required. Excellent problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and address complex technical challenges. These skills ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable design of automation systems that meet project requirements and industry standards.

What is the difference between Controls Design Engineer vs Electrical Engineer?

AspectControls Design EngineerElectrical Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning and developing control systems for automation and machineryDesigning electrical systems, circuits, and components for various applications
CertificationsOften requires PLC, automation, or control system certificationsTypically requires electrical engineering licensure or degrees
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, automation firms, industrial settingsPower plants, electronics companies, consulting firms
Industry UsageAutomation, manufacturing, process controlPower, electronics, construction

Controls Design Engineers focus on creating control systems for automation and machinery, often requiring specialized certifications. Electrical Engineers have a broader scope, designing electrical circuits and systems across various industries. While both roles involve electrical knowledge, Controls Design Engineers specialize in automation controls, making their work more application-specific.

Infographic showing various Controls Design Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 86% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $94,867 per year, or $45.6 per hour.

FPGA Design Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Rolling Meadows, IL • On-site

$96K - $144K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Re-posted 29 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 361 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

88th of 538 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
The Multidomain Sensing, Targeting, and Survivability Division (MSTS), located in the Northwest Chicago suburbs, develops operational Electronic Warfare (EW) and targeting systems that provide situational awareness, self-protection, and offensive electronic attack capability to platforms across the spectrum from visible light IR to millimeter wave RF. By joining us, you'll work on projects that help safeguard our nation related to land forces, rotary wing survivability systems, international and U.S. military electronic warfare systems, communications systems, missile warning systems and sensors, infrared counter-measure systems (IRCM), automatic test equipment, modeling and simulation, and situational awareness programs.
The FPGA Design Engineer role involves full life-cycle product development from system concept and requirements through design, implementation, test verification, production, field support while working in integrated product teams spanning Engineering, Manufacturing, and Program Management. Digital subsystem and circuit card designs utilize the latest FPGA technologies from all major vendors and device families including Xilinx, Altera, and Actel, and support high speed interfaces, Radio Frequency (RF) and Electro-Optical (EO) DSP, controls, data links, embedded processing and interfaces.
Job Description:
As an FPGA Design Engineer, you will join our diverse team and be responsible for research, design, and development of digital hardware products. Your expertise in digital component design and analysis, modeling and simulation, circuit level design and test, and project leadership are desired for this position. Research, design, develops, and tests a variety of electronic equipment and systems, including radar and radiation detection equipment; radio, television and other communications equipment and systems; circuitry components; analog and digital computers; and control and test equipment.
#MSRMTA
This position will be full-time and on-site at our Rolling Meadows, IL. location.
Basic Qualifications for an FPGA Design Engineer:
- Bachelors' degree in a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) with a minimum 2 years of digital electronics design experience or a Master's degree in a STEM field.
- Digital circuit design experience, including simulation & schematic capture through test and integration
- Prior hands-on prototyping and debug experience testing complex digital subsystems, such as complex circuit card development involving FPGAs, and/or embedded processors, and/or high-speed interfaces.
- Demonstrated ability to lead projects with 2 or less team members.
- Demonstrated ability to translate system performance and operational specifications into hardware requirements, design, and test specifications.
- Familiarity with documentation revision control and review systems like DOORS, ClearCase, and ClearQuest.
- US Citizenship
- Must have Interim Secret Clearance prior to start. Once started, must have the ability to obtain and maintain a secret security clearance.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering with a minimum of 2 years of digital electronics design experience.
- Working knowledge of Electronic Warfare systems.
- Experience in Aerospace and/or Defense industries.
- Recent circuit card design experience utilizing circuit-related tools including Cadence Concept, Allegro, and/or Mentor DxDesigner, Expedition.
- Working experience with ClearCase/ClearQuest and DOORS Current Secret or Top-Secret Security Clearance.
- Proven skills to include team leadership, mentoring others, communicating with all levels of an organization internally and externally, being adaptable, creative, collaborative and comfortable working independently and enjoying solving difficult problems
Primary Level Salary Range: $96,300.00 - $144,500.00
The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.
Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.
Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939