Senior Controls Engineer- Mobile Machinery
Federal Signal · Elgin, IL
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Controls
- Base pay
- $95k–$115k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Yesterday
The role in 30 seconds
A senior controls role at Federal Signal (industrial) in Elgin, IL.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- FMEA
- Base pay
- $95k–$115k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
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. This one lists $95k–$115k.
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
- In line with similar roles
- Experience asked
- Typical (5+ years)
Typical $87k–$126k, from 25 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.
Stands out: this posting asks for Python, 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 Federal Signal
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 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: Federal Signal in Elgin
1 other open role at this site.
- Maintenance Technician - 2nd Shift · Reliability · Technician
Full description from Federal SignalAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
requirements
into controls architecture application logic, function blocks, libraries, and diagnostic functions.
- ✓Manage software source control, branching, versioning, and release documentation.
Education requirement
Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical, Controls, Mechatronics, Mechanical, or Computer Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
Experience requirement
5+ years of controls engineering experience on mobile machinery, vehicles, or industrial equipment, including both embedded controls programming and electrical design.
requirements
management, or model-based development.
- ✓Scripting or programming experience (e.g., Python, C/C++) and use of AI-assisted engineering tools.
- ✓Experience with Git or equivalent version control.
- ✓Experience with CAN J1939 and ethernet networks.
Skills Required
- ✓Experience leading controls design through release.
- ✓Proficiency programming embedded controllers in a controls-development environment such as CODESYS (IEC 61131-3), IQAN, MATLAB/Simulink, Raptor, or equivalent.
- ✓Experience with Git or equivalent version control.
- ✓Experience integrating electrical hardware with electronic control modules.
- ✓Experience designing and releasing electrical schematics and vehicle wiring harnesses.
- ✓Experience developing and executing bench and vehicle-level verification tests.
- ✓Experience developing operator display/HMI applications.
Benefits of Employment
In addition to excellent career growth opportunities, Federal Signal Corporation offers a wide array of benefits including: annual bonus potential, insurance (life, medical, dental, vision), paid holidays, paid vacation, 401(k) with matching contributions and tuition reimbursement. We provide our employees with a smoke-free, drug-free workplace.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
The primary tasks are controls programming (50% or more of the role), with the remainder split between electrical schematic/harness design and HMI design. The position provides senior-level technical leadership through design reviews, verification, and mentoring.
Controls Programming
- •Develop, test, and release embedded controller software, including interlocks, sequencing, fault handling, and CAN J1939 and Ethernet communications.
- •Translate machine
Electrical Schematic and Harness Design
- •Design and release electrical schematics and vehicle wiring harnesses, including power distribution, circuit protection, connectors, and conductor sizing.
- •Select and integrate controllers, displays, power-distribution modules, keypads, sensors, actuators, and related devices.
HMI and Diagnostics
- •Design and develop operator display/HMI applications and keypad behavior.
- •Define onboard diagnostics and fault reporting for operators and service technicians.
Verification and Technical Leadership
- •Plan and execute bench and vehicle-level verification. Troubleshoot complex electrical, communications, and system-integration issues.
- •Lead technical reviews of controls designs and provide mentoring.
- •Support product development, production and service. Occasional travel to customers and trade shows.
- •Flexibility to perform other duties and assignments as required.
Preferred Skills and Competencies
- +CODESYS 3.5 (IEC 61131-3), Structured Text, and Function Block Diagram experience.
- +Familiarity with FMEA, Functional Safety, and Vehicle Cybersecurity (e.g., ISO 26262, ISO 21434).
- +Experience with MIL/SIL/HIL, automated software testing,
About Us
Sold and serviced through a network of more than 100 dealer locations worldwide, Elgin Sweeper products are the sweepers of choice for a variety of general street maintenance, special industrial and airport applications. With more than 100 years of experience, Elgin Sweeper offers municipalities, contractors and industries the most sweeper options in the country, using the latest sweeping technologies—mechanical, pure vacuum, regenerative air, alternative fuel and waterless dust control. Elgin Sweeper is a subsidiary of Federal Signal Corporation’s Environmental Solutions Group. For more information, visit www.elginsweeper.com .
Federal Signal Corporation (NYSE: FSS) builds and delivers equipment of unmatched quality that moves material, cleans infrastructure, and protects the communities where we work and live. Founded in 1901, Federal Signal is a leading global designer and manufacturer of products and total solutions that serve municipal, governmental, industrial and commercial customers. Headquartered in Downers Grove, IL, with manufacturing facilities worldwide, the Company operates two groups: Environmental Solutions and Safety and Security Systems. For more information on Federal Signal, visit: www.federalsignal.com .
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