Senior Automation Engineer
Atkore · Harvey, IL
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Controls
- Base pay
- $105k–$144k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 10+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior controls role at Atkore (industrial) in Harvey, IL. Develop & maintain process guidelines and training programs for the integration of new products and systems.
- They ask for
- 10+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, PLC, Automation, Tooling, AutoCAD
- Base pay
- $105k–$144k
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–$130k. This one lists $105k–$144k.
Median of the low and high ends of 27 live postings that list pay, out of 37 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 36 other live controls postings in Illinois.
- Base pay
- About 14% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- More than usual (10+ vs 5+)
Typical $89k–$130k, from 26 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 78%
- ✓ PLC 73%
- Robotics 46%
- Root cause 32%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 30%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Cost reduction, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with 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 Atkore
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
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- 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: Atkore in Harvey
5 other open roles at this site.
- Senior Quality Engineer - Manufacturing · Quality · Senior
- Mechanical Manufacturing Engineer · Reliability
- Chemical Process Technician - 3rd Shift · Process · Technician
- Maintenance Supervisor - 2nd Shift · Reliability · Supervisor
- Manufacturing Supervisor - 2nd Shift · Manufacturing · Supervisor
Full description from AtkoreAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
requirements
to best utilize equipment and manufacturing techniques.
- ✓Support operations by leading and directing technical activities necessary to solve problems encountered in any part of the facility.
- ✓Lead cost reduction initiatives through materials, product, and process improvements.
Atkore is a seven-time Great Place to Work© certified company and a four-time Top Workplaces USA award winner! We’re committed to creating an engaged, aligned workforce driven by a collaborative culture. Our team strives for breakthrough results and stays focused on being standout leaders. We consistently live the Atkore mission, strategic priorities, and behaviors consistent with our core values.
Join our team and align yourself with an industry leader!
As of the date of this
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Senior Automation Engineer
Who we are
Atkore is forging a future where our employees, customers, suppliers, shareholders, and communities are building better together – a future focused on serving the customer and powering and protecting the world. With a global network of manufacturing and distribution facilities, Atkore is a leading provider of electrical, safety and infrastructure solutions.
Who we are looking for
We are currently searching for a Senior Automation Engineer to be based out of Harvey, IL. Reporting to Electrical Mechanical Engineering Manager this person will be responsible for supporting current manufacturing and facilitating the continuous improvement processes associated with the manufacturing and automation methods and processes in the plant facilities. They will also develop solutions for production problems related to materials, processes, and tooling as well as support new products and programs by developing new processes, designing automation and SCADA systems, and developing process controls. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in an Electrical Engineering discipline and a minimum of 7-10 years of Process/Automation/Manufacturing Engineering experience in an industrial environment. Experience in steel roll forming and processing is highly desired. Lean manufacturing or business system-based company background preferred.
What you’ll do
- •Drive and support the businesses productivity improvements and best practices.
- •Manage and oversee various projects as the Project Leader, provide documentation and schedules for improvement and new equipment projects.
- •Assist Manufacturing in various improvement projects, such as Lean Manufacturing, Process Improvements and Problem Solving
- •Provide bid and costing details on electrical projects, use Gantt charts showing Project Progress, responsible for project deadlines.
- •Draw and provide schematics and documentation for skill trades groups, along with development of trouble shooting guidelines.
- •Implement and expand SCADA system.
- •Participate and/or Lead in Continuous Improvement Activities.
- •Assist with maintaining current plant electrical infrastructure.
- •Ensure plant electrical equipment remains up to safety codes.
- •Provide troubleshooting direction to E-Techs and Electricians in troubleshooting situations.
- •Recommend methods, materials and layouts for improvement based on manufacturing needs and capabilities.
What you’ll bring
- •Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now OR in the future.
- •BS in an Engineering discipline and/or a combination of college education and Electrical Engineering experience preferred.
- •Minimum of 7 - 10 years of experience in a Process/Manufacturing Engineering industrial environment.
- •Strong industrial controls skills with hands on experience.
- •Experience with and capable of Rockwell PLC programing (Siemens a plus).
- •Experience with and capable of planning power distribution, producing conduit and cable schedules, and producing layouts in AutoCAD. Experience with medium voltage power and transformers.
- •Strong knowledge of industrial electronics: SCRs, Diodes, Rectifiers …etc.
- •Experience with SCADA systems, Wonderware or other preferred.
- •Lean Manufacturing preferred
- •Project Management, Capital Project Management (develop scope, quoting, justification, and implementation)
- •Microsoft Project, and Microsoft Office.
- •Capability to Manage diverse, simultaneous projects of varying complexities.
- •Tube Mill/ Steel Experience preferred.
- •Professional and positive approach, self-motivated, dynamic, creative with the ability to work on own initiative.
- •Strong oral and written communication skills.
- •All associates must embrace and foster and environment that supports our core values of Integrity, Respect, Excellence, Teamwork and Accountability.
Within 3 months, you’ll
- •Complete your Atkore immersion program.
- •Understand how your job and performance will help deliver Atkore’s strategy.
- •Gain an understanding of your co-workers, facility, and team.
Within 6-months, you’ll
- •Ensure proper operation of equipment and teach others the proper use of this equipment.
- •Improve new and existing manufacturing processes for cost reduction, quality or efficiency. This is achieved by planning workflow, applying knowledge of product design, fabrication, assembly, tooling, equipment layout and materials; soliciting input from operators, equipment suppliers and industry experts.
- •Prepare and maintain detailed layouts of buildings and equipment
- •Conduct data analysis of scrap, downtime, line rates, and material usage. Prepare charts, and reports to assist data driven decisions to improve results.
Within 12-months, you’ll
- •Develop & maintain process guidelines and training programs for the integration of new products and systems.
- •Manage multiple projects by developing plans, quotes/estimates, and schedules.
- •Continually strive to reduce process variation to ensure consistent product quality and adherence to manufacturing and agency standards.
- •Provide guidance to engineering regarding design concepts and specification
