Controls Engineer

RWS One · Roscoe, IL

Level: Engineer
Team: Controls
Base pay: $75k–$120k
Travel: 50%
Degree: Required (or equivalent experience)
Experience asked: 5+ years
Industry: Industrial
Posted: Recently

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level controls role at RWS One (industrial) in Roscoe, IL. Develop high-quality PLC and HMI programming aligned with the defined project requirements.

They ask for: 5+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
Tools it names: FDA / GMP, PLC, AutoCAD
Base pay: $75k–$120k
Day to day: some off-shift / weekend coverage · about 50% travel

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–$133k. This one lists $75k–$120k.

Median of the low and high ends of 24 live postings that list pay, out of 36 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 35 other live controls postings in Illinois.

Base pay: About 12% below similar roles
Experience asked: Typical (5+ years)

Skills these teams ask for most

Automation 72%
✓ PLC 67%
Robotics 44%
Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 33%
Root cause 33%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for FDA / GMP, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 5+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Off-shift / weekend coverage

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 RWS One
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?
- The posting says about 50% 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.

Full description from RWS OneAs posted on their careers site.Show

Responsibilities

◆Develop high-quality PLC and HMI programming aligned with the defined project requirements.
◆Edit, support, and integrate into existing PLC & HMI programs.
◆Specify and maintain I/O lists used to coordinate electrical design with program design.
◆Test, Debug, Modify, and Validate all system functions prior to shipment.
◆Start-up and Commission completed system at customer site for final customer approval.
◆Train customer’s employees on the operation and program maintenance of the delivered system.
◆Maintain electrical schematics after initial system assembly is complete.
◆Provide ongoing technical and troubleshooting support as requested by clients as on-going support after startup.

Requirements

✓Bachelor’s degree in a technical field (or equivalent practical experience).
✓Strong knowledge of Allen-Bradley PLC/PAC platforms (SLC, Micrologix, PLC-5, ControlLogix).
✓Strong knowledge of HMI programming (FactoryTalk View; Ignition a plus).
✓5+ years of experience in programming, installation, startup, and debugging of integrated production systems.
✓Electrical troubleshooting skills for 480V, 110V, and low-voltage control systems.
✓Experience in food, beverage, pharmaceutical, or consumer products industries preferred.
✓Familiarity with USDA, FDA, and 3A dairy standards is a plus.
✓Ability to read and interpret AutoCAD P&ID drawings.
✓Strong time-management, organizational, and analytical skills.
✓Basic understanding of hydraulics, fluid flow, pneumatics, and electrical circuits.
✓Knowledge of turnkey plant systems and process piping is a plus.
✓Strong verbal and written communication skills; able to work independently and in team environments.

Show full description ↓

RWS One is a full-service system integrator serving the food and beverage industry. We design complete food processing systems for some of the largest food and beverage companies in the nation. In addition to engineering system designs, we oversee mechanical and electrical installation, write and implement PLC/HMI programming, and commission the computerized controls that set our systems apart.

As a privately held company, we believe in taking care of the employees who contribute to our success. We are currently seeking experienced Controls Engineers to support projects across the United States.

Location: RWS One | 13979 Willowbrook Rd, Roscoe, IL 61073

Job Type: Full-time

Travel: Flexibility to travel for installations and onsite startup is required. Candidates should expect a minimum of 50% travel, average travel expectation is in excess of 50% with some periods of heavy travel.

Benefits

•Medical, dental, and basic life insurance coverage
•Voluntary vision insurance
•Voluntary term life insurance
•Voluntary short-term and long-term disability
•Voluntary group accident insurance
•PTO and Paid Holidays
•401(k) plan