Sensor Algorithm Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Ecolab is a global sustainability leader offering water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services. With annual sales of $15 Billion, Ecolab operates in over 170 countries and employs more than 48,000 associates. Our mission is to protect people and the vital resources necessary for life.

We are seeking a skilled Controls Engineer to design, develop, and implement Siemens and B&R PLC-based control systems for industrial equipment. This role requires strong experience with Siemens S7 platforms (TIA Portal), working knowledge of B&R PLCs (Automation Studio), industrial networking, and hands-on electrical knowledge (power distribution, control panels, motor starters/VFDs, instrumentation, and field wiring) to ensure safe, reliable operation. The ideal candidate can troubleshoot from the sensor/actuator level through PLC logic and HMI, and can support commissioning in manufacturing and customer environments.

This role supports Nalco Water, Downstream, and Food & Beverage businesses and partners closely with R&D, Product Management/Marketing, Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain to deliver new product development and continuous improvement.

What's in it for You:

• Opportunity to make an impact by advancing equipment used to help customers achieve clean water, safe food, abundant energy, and healthy environments.
• Work on a mix of new product development and lifecycle support in a highly collaborative, cross-functional environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package starting day 1 of employment (medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), company-paid pension, stock purchase plan, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and more), subject to local offerings.

Position Details:

• Location: Naperville, IL
• Work arrangement: Onsite with periodic time in a shop/fabrication environment

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement Siemens PLC-based control systems (S7-1200/1500) for industrial equipment, including pump/valve control, process regulation, and safety interlocks.
• Develop and support B&R PLC applications (Automation Studio) including I/O configuration, motion/drives interfaces as applicable, and integration with HMIs and field devices.
• Develop and debug control logic for fault detection, failover mechanisms, and system recovery in case of pump or component failure.
• Create HMI interfaces using Siemens WinCC (Comfort/Unified) for local and remote monitoring, enabling intuitive control, alarm management, and diagnostics.
• Lead electrical interface definition and collaborate on control panel architecture, including power distribution, circuit protection, control power (24VDC), grounding, and wiring practices.
• Integrate Siemens PLC systems with Building Management Systems (BMS) and Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) platforms for centralized monitoring and control, using standard industrial gateways where needed.
• Establish and configure industrial communication protocols and networks including Profinet/Profibus, Modbus TCP/RTU, and BACnet, ensuring robust addressing, diagnostics, and interoperability.
• Develop control algorithms for energy optimization, load balancing, and predictive maintenance.
• Produce comprehensive documentation including I/O lists, control narratives, network architecture, wiring diagrams, panel layouts, commissioning procedures, and test plans.
• Support factory and field commissioning, perform loop checks, and troubleshoot electrical and controls issues (I/O, sensors, VFDs, motor circuits, network communications) during installation and operation.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to ensure control system resilience and compliance with data center security standards.
• Implement automated testing and validation procedures to ensure control system reliability and performance.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related technical field and 5 years of experience in industrial controls and automation systems.
• Proficiency in Siemens PLC programming (TIA Portal; S7-1200/1500). Experience with B&R PLCs (Automation Studio) is strongly preferred; other PLC platforms are a plus.
• Skilled in Ladder Logic, Structured Text, and Function Block Diagrams.
• Strong knowledge of industrial communication protocols (Profinet/Profibus, Modbus TCP/RTU, BACnet; OPC UA a plus).
• Experience with HMI/SCADA development tools (Siemens WinCC preferred; other platforms such as FactoryTalk, Ignition acceptable).
• Basic electrical knowledge including control panels, 3-phase motor controls, VFDs, sensors/instrumentation, and safe troubleshooting practices using common electrical test equipment.
• Familiarity with control theory, PID tuning, and process control principles.
• Experience in electrical interface design and panel layout.
• Knowledge of data center infrastructure and facility management systems
• Immigration Sponsorship not available for this role

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with industrial equipment controls (pumps, heat exchangers, dosing systems) and troubleshooting in a manufacturing or field-service environment.
• Familiarity with IoT platforms and cloud-based monitoring solutions.
• Understanding of cybersecurity best practices for industrial control systems.
• Knowledge of UL508A panel standards and electrical safety codes.
• Background in HVAC automation and thermal control systems.
• Experience with Siemens motion/drives integration and/or Siemens safety (Safety Integrated, safety relays, safety PLC) is a plus.

Physical Demands / Work Environment

• Work is performed in an office and shop/fabrication environment; appropriate PPE is required as applicable.
• Ability to safely move around equipment builds and test areas, including standing and walking for periods of time.
• Occasional travel to support supplier builds, validation testing, and/or commissioning.

Benefits

Ecolab strives to provide comprehensive and market-competitive benefits to meet the needs of our associates and their families.Click here to see our benefits.

If you are viewing this posting on a site other than our Ecolab Career website, view our benefits at jobs.ecolab.com/working-here.