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Mes Controls Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

BrightFarms Inc

Controls Engineer

Yorkville, IL · On-site

$81K - $105K/yr

We are seeking a Controls Engineer to support and enhance automation systems across our hydroponic ... Support MES or higher-level system integration when applicable Troubleshooting & Support * Travel ...

Gotion, Inc.

Systems Engineer (MES & Data)

Manteno, IL · On-site

The engineer will work closely with software developers, manufacturing engineers, controls engineers, and production teams to deploy MES systems, production data platforms, and factory digitalization ...

E2i Inc.

Controls Engineer II

Manteno, IL · On-site

$82K - $107K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related engineering field ... Ability to support Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) * Ability to read piping and ...

E2i

Controls Engineer II

Manteno, IL

$82K - $107K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related engineering field ... Ability to support Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) * Ability to read piping and ...

Gotion, Inc.

Systems Engineer (MES & Data)

Manteno, IL · On-site

The engineer will work closely with software developers, manufacturing engineers, controls engineers, and production teams to deploy MES systems, production data platforms, and factory digitalization ...

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Mes Controls Engineer information

What is a MES Controls Engineer?

MES Controls Engineers are professionals who design, implement, and maintain Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and their integration with industrial control systems. They bridge the gap between production-floor equipment and higher-level business systems, ensuring seamless data flow and process automation. Their responsibilities include configuring MES software, developing interfaces with PLCs and SCADA systems, troubleshooting, and optimizing manufacturing processes for efficiency and quality. MES Controls Engineers play a crucial role in digital manufacturing and Industry 4.0 initiatives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a MES Controls Engineer?

To excel as a MES Controls Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, automation, and manufacturing processes, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), PLC programming, SCADA, and certifications like Siemens or Rockwell Automation are highly valuable. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential soft skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams and troubleshooting complex systems. These competencies are critical to ensuring seamless integration, efficiency, and reliability in automated manufacturing environments.

What are some common challenges faced by MES Controls Engineers when integrating new manufacturing equipment with existing MES systems?

MES Controls Engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring compatibility between new equipment and legacy MES platforms, managing data consistency, and minimizing production downtime during integration. They must carefully coordinate with IT, production, and automation teams to map control logic and data flows accurately. Troubleshooting unexpected communication issues and aligning equipment protocols with MES requirements are also typical hurdles. Effective planning, thorough testing, and clear cross-functional communication help mitigate these challenges and ensure smooth system integration.

What is the difference between Mes Controls Engineer vs Automation Engineer?

AspectMes Controls EngineerAutomation Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in engineering, PLC certifications, and knowledge of MES systemsRequires a degree in engineering or computer science, PLC and robotics certifications
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, focusing on MES system integration and controlFactories, focusing on automation system design and implementation
Industry UsageUsed in manufacturing to manage production data and workflowsUsed across industries to automate machinery and processes

The Mes Controls Engineer primarily focuses on integrating and managing Manufacturing Execution Systems within production environments, ensuring data flow and process control. In contrast, the Automation Engineer designs and implements automation solutions, including robotics and control systems. Both roles require technical skills and work in manufacturing settings, but their core responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

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For Mes Controls Engineer jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Mes Controls Engineer jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Mes Controls Engineer jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Mes Controls Engineer jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Mes Controls Engineer job openings:

Mes Controls Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Mes Controls Engineer job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution.

Controls Engineer - Junior

Sterling Engineering Inc.

Buffalo Grove, IL

$90K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

Controls Engineer – Manufacturing Systems & SCADA
Location: Buffalo Grove, IL
Hire Type: Direct Hire
Compensation: $90,000–$110,000 per year
Schedule: Full-Time | 100% Onsite

Position Overview
We are seeking a Controls Engineer to support the continued growth of a highly automated medical device manufacturing operation in Buffalo Grove, IL. This role combines traditional controls engineering with manufacturing IT, SCADA, and Operational Technology (OT) integration to support a connected manufacturing environment.
The ideal candidate will have experience troubleshooting PLC-controlled automation while also understanding plant-level SCADA systems, manufacturing networks, and system integration. This individual will partner closely with Manufacturing Engineering, IT, Automation, Maintenance, and Quality teams to improve equipment connectivity, data visibility, and production system reliability.
This is an excellent opportunity for a junior to mid-level Controls Engineer looking to expand into smart manufacturing, digital factory initiatives, and Industry 4.0 technologies.
Key Responsibilities

Support and troubleshoot PLC-controlled manufacturing equipment and automated production systems.
Maintain and improve plant-level SCADA systems and manufacturing visualization platforms.
Assist with Operational Technology (OT) initiatives, including manufacturing network connectivity and system integration.
Support integration between production equipment, PLCs, SCADA, manufacturing databases, and other plant systems.
Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering, IT, Controls, Quality, and Operations to improve system reliability and production performance.
Troubleshoot automation hardware, industrial communication networks, HMIs, and manufacturing software.
Participate in automation upgrades, equipment commissioning, validation, and continuous improvement projects.
Support manufacturing data collection, reporting, and connected factory initiatives.
Assist with troubleshooting automated material handling systems, including ASRS (Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems) and AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) integration where applicable.
Develop and maintain controls documentation, network architecture diagrams, and engineering standards.
Work closely with equipment vendors and system integrators during new equipment installations and upgrades.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
2–5 years of experience supporting industrial automation or manufacturing controls systems.
Experience troubleshooting PLC-controlled equipment in a manufacturing environment.
Working knowledge of SCADA systems and HMI platforms.
Understanding of Manufacturing IT, Operational Technology (OT), and industrial networking concepts.
Experience supporting high-speed automated manufacturing equipment.
Strong troubleshooting skills with electrical controls, automation hardware, and industrial communication networks.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to work across Engineering, IT, Operations, and Quality teams.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with Allen-Bradley and/or Siemens PLC platforms.
Familiarity with SCADA platforms such as Ignition, FactoryTalk View SE, WinCC, Wonderware, or similar.
Exposure to MES, manufacturing data collection systems, or historian platforms.
Experience integrating production equipment with plant-level systems.
Knowledge of Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Modbus TCP, OPC UA, or other industrial communication protocols.
Experience supporting ASRS, AGV, or other automated material handling systems.
Experience within a medical device, pharmaceutical, food, or other highly regulated manufacturing environment.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a controls engineer who enjoys working at the intersection of automation and manufacturing technology. They possess a strong foundation in PLCs and industrial controls while also understanding how automation systems connect to plant-wide SCADA, manufacturing IT, and Operational Technology (OT) environments. This individual is eager to support digital manufacturing initiatives, collaborate across multiple engineering disciplines, and help drive the evolution of a connected, high-performance manufacturing operation.