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Entry Level Controls Engineer Jobs in Plainfield, IL

... controls, and more * Assist with technical specification and report writing electrical equipment ... An ABET accredited Electrical Engineering degree (Bachelors or Masters) by Summer 2026. Salary ...

... controls, and more * Assist with technical specification and report writing electrical equipment ... An ABET accredited Electrical Engineering degree (Bachelors or Masters) by Summer 2026. Salary ...

... controls, and more * Assist with technical specification and report writing electrical equipment ... An ABET accredited Electrical Engineering degree (Bachelors or Masters) by Summer 2026. Salary ...

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Entry Level Controls Engineer information

See Plainfield, IL salary details

$53.6K

$94.1K

$127.7K

How much do entry level controls engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level controls engineer in Plainfield, IL is $94,131.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,400.00 and $105,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level controls engineer?

An Entry Level Controls Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and troubleshooting control systems used in manufacturing and automation. They work with PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), HMIs (Human-Machine Interfaces), and other automation components to optimize system performance. Typical tasks include programming, testing, and debugging control systems, as well as collaborating with senior engineers and technicians. This role requires a background in electrical or mechanical engineering, along with knowledge of automation software and hardware. Entry-level positions often involve hands-on training and mentorship to build technical expertise.

What are the main types of projects or systems an entry level controls engineer typically works on?

As an Entry Level Controls Engineer, you will often be involved in designing, programming, and maintaining automated control systems for manufacturing lines, industrial machinery, or building automation projects. Your typical responsibilities might include configuring PLCs, developing HMI screens, conducting system testing, and assisting with troubleshooting both in the office and on-site. You will collaborate closely with senior engineers, project managers, and technicians to ensure projects are delivered on time and meet quality standards. This hands-on experience gives you valuable exposure to different industries and technologies, laying the groundwork for future specialization or advancement within controls engineering.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the entry level controls engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Controls Engineer, you should have a solid understanding of electrical engineering principles, basic programming skills (such as PLC or ladder logic), and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with industrial automation tools like Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs), and SCADA systems is typically expected. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills make candidates stand out in this role. These skills ensure you can efficiently design, troubleshoot, and implement control systems that are safe, reliable, and meet client specifications.

What are the most commonly searched types of Controls Engineer jobs in Plainfield, IL?

The most popular types of Controls Engineer jobs in Plainfield, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Controls Engineer jobs in Plainfield, IL?

For Entry Level Controls Engineer jobs in Plainfield, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Controls Engineer jobs in Plainfield, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Controls Engineer jobs in Plainfield, IL are:

What cities near Plainfield, IL are hiring for Entry Level Controls Engineer jobs?

Cities near Plainfield, IL with the most Entry Level Controls Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Controls Engineer job openings in Plainfield, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $94,131 per year, or $45.3 per hour.

Substation Protection & Controls Engineer

Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

Amped I LLC
Utilities • 11 - 50 employees

$92K - $115K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New


Job description

Description

Amped I LLC was founded in 2010 as a design and engineering firm specializing in power infrastructure projects ranging from transmission to distribution for power utility, industry, government and commercial facilities. Amped I is a small, certified Women's Business Enterprise with the goal to provide exceptional value, integrity, and client satisfaction to all of our clients' needs. Amped I is also committed to both career growth and job satisfaction for each individual team member. We are proud and stand behind our core values of accountability, collaboration, positive energy, problem solving, and continuous improvement.


Job Summary

The Substation Protection & Controls Engineer role is a mid-level, full-time, permanent position. This position is fully-remote, allowing you to work from home Monday - Friday each week. While working alongside a team of experienced electrical engineers and providing guidance to entry-level electrical engineers, this position assists in designing protection and control systems for substations. This position is an excellent launchpad if your long-term career goal is to work as a Licensed Professional Engineer on the transmission side of the power industry. If you're looking for an exciting opportunity where your contributions and career growth is valued from day one, we invite you to apply!


Duties/Responsibilities

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

  • Create/modify design documents and drawings for a project, including electric substation one-lines, three-lines, control schematics and wiring diagrams, relay panel arrangements and specifications, conduit and cable sizing/routing, and generating bills of material.
  • Design auxiliary AC and DC power systems.
  • Develop SCADA system and communications interfaces.
  • Work with various project teams to fully develop system integration of protection, control, automation, and monitoring systems.
  • Perform basic engineering calculations such as relay burden, voltage drop, short circuit calculations, battery sizing calculations, auxiliary AC and DC load tabulations, and others as needed to support successful projects.
  • Perform relay coordination studies and prepare relay settings.
  • Effectively communicate and coordinate project activities with Project Managers, clients, other engineers, designers and drafters as needed.
  • Coordination and delivery of material to project sites.
  • May perform site walk-downs independently to scope project requirements.
  • May help to create project cost estimates that include all planning, engineering/design, construction, and testing costs for substation protection and control upgrade projects.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.


Requirements

Required Skills and Abilities

  • Strong understanding of a substation project lifecycle at the utility level
  • Excellent technical communication and detail-oriented work practices

Education and Experience

  • Bachelor's degree from an ABET-accredited university in Electrical Engineering
  • Minimum 2 years of experience in relay protection and control design of high voltage 12-500 kV substations
  • Engineer in Training (EIT) designation preferred, but not required


Compensation and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary along with a comprehensive benefits package, including:

  • Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision plans, as well as access to telemedicine.
  • Retirement Plans: 401(k) with a company match.
  • Paid Time Off (PTO): Vacation days, sick leave, and personal time off.
  • Paid Company Holidays: Company paid holidays and one floating holiday.
  • Family Support: Paid leave policies for maternity, paternity, adoption, and foster care placement.
  • Life and Disability Insurance: Basic and supplemental life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance.
  • Flexible Scheduling: Remote work and flexible work hours.

**In order to be considered for this position, please also complete the Culture Index assessment, linked here.


Our company embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We believe the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.