Process Automation Engineer - Decatur, IL
ADM · Decatur, IL
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Travel
- 25%
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 2+ years
- Industry
- Food & beverage
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at ADM (food & beverage) in Decatur, IL. Additionally, they will support and advance the standardization and documentation of process automation systems.
- They ask for
- 2+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- PLC, Automation, EHS / safety
- Day to day
- about 25% travel
- Openings
- 2 with this title at this site
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in Illinois: typical posted base $89k–$126k.
Median of the low and high ends of 26 live postings that list pay, out of 38 controls engineer openings in Illinois, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Illinois plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 37 other live controls postings in Illinois.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (2+ vs 5+)
Typical $89k–$126k, from 26 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ PLC 82%
- ✓ Automation 82%
- Robotics 53%
- Root cause 29%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at ADM
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
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- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- The posting says about 25% travel. Between which sites?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: ADM in Decatur
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Full description from ADMAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Understands and is accountable for full compliance with safety and other EHS
requirements
- ✓Maintains a thorough knowledge of production processes, equipment and operations in the interest of developing, improving and maintaining process and safety interlocks
- ✓Develops or modifies Process Automation controls to achieve desired control processes, and troubleshoot systems to identify and resolve hardware or software deficiencies
- ✓Develops and maintains documentation of process automation hardware and software related to process automation control systems
- ✓Communicates status updates and suggestions for improvements
- ✓Pursues/maintains industry specific training and certifications relative to this position and for career advancement
- ✓Maintains awareness of cybersecurity fundamentals
- ✓Works with and manages third-party suppliers / contractors
Required Qualifications
- ✓2+ years of experience with process control in an industrial environment
- ✓Ability to work well within groups or with minimal supervision to meet operations goals
- ✓Ability and experience effectively coaching and developing other colleagues
- ✓Experience using documentation and organizational skills effectively
- ✓Experience using verbal and written communication skills effectively
- ✓Highly motivated, self-starter
- ✓Ability to skillfully manage multiple projects simultaneously and succeed in an environment of competing priorities
- ✓Capability of working in extreme temperatures, with the ability to climb stairs, lift and move a minimum of 40 pounds, and sit and stand for long periods of time; should be able to work in confined spaces and at heights
- ✓Availability for occasional off-hours, holiday and weekend urgent automation
requirements
- ✓Ability to travel up to 25% of the time, based on project demands
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓An Associates degree in a technical area; a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Electrical, Computer, or Automation Engineering is ideal
- ✓Experience with distributed control systems (DCS) or SCADA applications, Rockwell Automation PlantPAx, FactoryTalk View SE, or Wonderware preferred, others considered
- ✓Experience with industrial IO platforms, Allen Bradley IO platforms preferred
- ✓Familiarity with data historians such as AVEVA PI
- ✓Familiarity with Industrial Networks (ie. TCP/IP, ControlNet®, DH+, Modbus, etc.)
- ✓Familiarity with motor control applications, including full voltage starters, reduced voltage starters, and variable frequency drives with network integration
- ✓Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) integration experience beneficial
- ✓Knowledge of Industrial Process Control including instrumentation, AC/DC Electrical systems, Piping & Instrument Diagrams
- ✓Ability to troubleshoot, solve, and repair issues with process control systems and work safely with and around AC & DC voltages up to 120V
Excited about this role but don’t think you meet every requirement listed? We encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings.
ADM requires the successful completion of a background check.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Process Automation Engineer - Decatur, IL
This is a full time, exempt position.
- •*Ideal locations for this position include Decatur, IL; Mendota, IL; St. Louis, MO; Beech Grove, IN; and Camp Hill, PA.
Job Description
The Process Automation Engineer will provide plant support of process automation systems to ensure Operations are successful through guidance, troubleshooting, and standard work.
This individual will work with Operations and other technology centers to execute projects while applying global standards. They will proactively seek opportunities for process automation to mitigate risk, improve efficiency, and drive optimization projects. Additionally, they will support and advance the standardization and documentation of process automation systems.
The Process Automation Engineer will also contribute to plant culture by supporting safety initiatives and Performance Excellence. This is an onsite position with location flexibility based on candidate availability.
Job