Junior Engineer Jobs in Kankakee, IL (NOW HIRING)

Gotion is seeking a motivated Junior Controls Engineer to join our team at our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Manteno, IL. This is an excellent opportunity for a recent graduate or early-career engineer to gain hands-on experience supporting automated manufacturing equipment and production processes in a fast-paced battery manufacturing environment.

The Junior Controls Engineer will work closely with experienced engineers, maintenance technicians, and production teams to support equipment performance, troubleshoot control systems, improve manufacturing processes, and contribute to automation projects. This role offers significant opportunities for learning and professional development in controls engineering, PLC programming, robotics, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

Responsibilities

• Assist in supporting day-to-day manufacturing operations to ensure safe, stable, and efficient production processes.
• Help monitor equipment performance and identify opportunities to improve yield, throughput, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, and Maintenance teams to troubleshoot equipment and process issues.
• Support the development and maintenance of control systems, including PLC programs, HMIs, and industrial automation equipment.
• Assist with equipment startups, commissioning activities, and production line qualifications.
• Participate in root cause investigations and corrective action efforts to resolve manufacturing and equipment issues.
• Help create and maintain technical documentation, including work instructions, standard operating procedures, and troubleshooting guides.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on process optimization, quality enhancement, and waste reduction.
• Work with maintenance personnel to diagnose and resolve electrical and control system issues.
• Assist with data collection, analysis, and reporting to support manufacturing performance improvements.
• Participate in automation, robotics, and Industry 4.0 projects as assigned.
• Provide training support to production personnel on equipment operation and process changes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Recent graduates are encouraged to apply.

• Internship, co-op, academic project, or up to 2 years of experience in manufacturing, automation, controls, or a related engineering field.
• Exposure to industrial automation, manufacturing equipment, or process improvement projects is preferred.

• Basic understanding of PLC programming and industrial control systems.
• Familiarity with Siemens PLCs, Allen-Bradley PLCs, or similar automation platforms is a plus.
• Understanding of electrical schematics, sensors, motors, and industrial equipment.
• Exposure to HMI systems and industrial communication networks such as Ethernet/IP, Modbus, or Profinet is preferred.
• Interest in robotics, machine vision, and automated manufacturing technologies.
• Basic knowledge of troubleshooting methodologies and problem-solving techniques.

Preferred Qualifications

• Internship or project experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with robotics, automation, or controls-related coursework.
• Familiarity with data analysis and continuous improvement concepts.
• Strong desire to learn and grow within a manufacturing engineering organization.

The U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $60,000.00 -$70,000.00, plus eligibility for bonus and benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by factors such as the role, level, and geographic location. The range listed in the job posting represents the minimum and maximum target salaries for this position across all U.S. locations. Actual compensation within the range will be influenced by the specific work location, along with factors such as job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter will provide more details about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. Please note that the listed compensation reflects the base salary only and does not include bonus or benefits.