Automation & Controls Engineer
Caterpillar · East Peoria, IL
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Base pay
- $81k–$122k
- Degree
- Preferred
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Today
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at Caterpillar (industrial) in East Peoria, IL. Support, develop, and troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, robotics, and related technologies.
- They ask for
- degree preferred
- Tools it names
- Root cause, PLC, Robotics, Automation
- Base pay
- $81k–$122k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 26, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in Illinois: typical posted base $89k–$127k. This one lists $81k–$122k.
Median of the low and high ends of 25 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 8% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Typical $89k–$133k, from 24 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 73%
- ✓ PLC 68%
- ✓ Robotics 46%
- ✓ Root cause 35%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 32%
✓ = 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 Caterpillar
We found 15 people at this company and state: 11 in this kind of role, 4 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See 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.
Write to Scott → (free) - 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 does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- 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: Caterpillar in East Peoria
5 other open roles at this site · 15 people we found in controls roles at Caterpillar.
- Manufacturing Technician · Manufacturing · Technician
- Manufacturing Engineer - Tool Design Expert · Manufacturing
- Test & Validation Controls Engineer(2nd shift) · Quality
- Industrial Electrician - 2nd Shift - East Peoria Undercarriage BB · Reliability · Technician
- Quality Specialist- 2nd and 3rd Shift-East Peoria Bldg KK · Quality · Specialist
Full description from CaterpillarAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
What you will do
- ◆Troubleshoot and support industrial automation and control systems.
- ◆Improve equipment reliability, performance, and uptime.
- ◆Support, develop, and troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, robotics, and related technologies.
- ◆Lead root cause investigations and implement permanent solutions.
- ◆Support equipment upgrades, capital projects, and continuous improvement efforts.
- ◆Collaborate with operations, maintenance, and engineering teams to solve complex technical challenges.
- ◆Develop expertise in industrial automation, controls, and manufacturing systems.
- ◆Build troubleshooting skills while working alongside experienced technical professionals.
- ◆Support equipment reliability, performance, and continuous improvement efforts.
- ◆Contribute to projects that have a direct impact on safety, quality, and production.
- ◆Grow your technical knowledge and advance your career in a highly automated manufacturing environment.
- ◆Training, mentoring, and hands-on development will be provided to help the successful candidate build technical expertise and grow within the role.
What you must have
- ✓Accuracy and Attention to Detail : Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision.
- ✓Effective Communications : Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.
- ✓Engineering - MFG : Knowledge of processes, techniques and methods of engineering in a manufacturing environment; ability to design and implement materials, structures, machines, devices, systems and processes that safely realize a desired objective or invention.
- ✓Problem Solving : Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations.
- ✓Technical Troubleshooting : Knowledge of technical troubleshooting approaches, tools, and techniques; ability to anticipate, recognize, and resolve technical issues on hardware, software, application, or operation.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Career Area
Manufacturing
Job Description
Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.
When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.
Role Definition
The Automation & Controls Engineer position will have a clear focus on automation and controls, then expand to develop deeper knowledge of Heat Treat equipment, processes, and overall system operation.
The selected candidate will be given training and mentoring to support successful development. Both experienced professionals and early-career candidates will be considered for this opportunity.
Much of this position's work day will be spent on the manufacturing floor using machine logic, electrical drawings, diagnostic software, equipment data, and hands-on troubleshooting.
Technologies You will Learn and Support
- •Allen-Bradley PLC and HMI platforms
- •FANUC robotics and automation systems
- •Industrial networking and communications systems
- •Vision systems and inspection technologies
- •Variable frequency drives and motion control systems
- •Process control and instrumentation systems
Degree Requirement
Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics Technology, Automation Technology, Industrial Electronics Technology or equivalent experience desired.
Top candidates will also have
- •Technical education, training, or experience in engineering, automation, controls, electrical systems, robotics, industrial maintenance, or a related field.
- •Strong technical aptitude, curiosity, and problem-solving skills.
- •Ability to learn new technologies and troubleshoot complex equipment.
- •Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with a variety of teams.
- •Willingness to work in a manufacturing environment and support a rotating AWS night shift schedule, including assigned weekends and holidays.
- •Strong technical depth in one or more industrial automation platforms, combined with the ability to troubleshoot and learn unfamiliar systems, is more important. Experience with every system is not required.
Work Schedule and Environment
- •Alternate Work Schedule (AWS) - Night Shift (6:00 PM - 6:00 AM)
- •Week 1: Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
- •Week 2: Wednesday, Thursday
- •Repeating two-week schedule
- •Includes assigned weekends and holidays
- •Overtime opportunities available for additional shifts worked
- •Primarily based in an active manufacturing environment
- •Regular hands-on troubleshooting on the production floor
Additional Information
- •This position will close at 11:59 p.m. on 11/11/2026.
- •This position will be located onsite in East Peoria, IL (Building KK).
- •Relocation (domestic) assistance is available for this position.
- •Sponsorship is NOT available.
- •This position may require less than 10% travel
Final details
Please frequently check the email associated with your application, including the junk/spam folder, as this is the primary correspondence method. If you wish to know the status of your application – please use the candidate log-in on our career website as it will reflect any updates to your status.
#LI #MilitaryMonday #Letsdothework #caterpillarinc #Iamcaterpillar
Summary Pay Range
$81,370.00 - $122,060.00