Manufacturing Engineer-Controls
Advastar · Sycamore, IL
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Base pay
- $115k–$145k
- Travel
- 10%
- Degree
- Preferred
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 28 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at Advastar (industrial) in Sycamore, IL. Write and troubleshoot PLC code, redesign electrical schematics for machine modifications, and run capital projects from concept through installation.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, FMEA, DOE, PLC, Robotics
- Base pay
- $115k–$145k
- Day to day
- about 10% travel
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–$127k. This one lists $115k–$145k.
Median of the low and high ends of 27 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
- About 21% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- Typical (5+ years)
Typical $89k–$127k, from 26 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 82%
- ✓ PLC 79%
- ✓ Robotics 50%
- Root cause 32%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 26%
- ✓ AutoCAD 24%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for CNC, Stamping, Welding, Plant layout, 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 Advastar
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?
- The posting says about 10% 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: Advastar in Sycamore
1 other open role at this site.
- Manufacturing Engineer-Mechanical · Reliability
Full description from AdvastarAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
A century-plus manufacturer of large-scale industrial storage and containment equipment is hiring a Manufacturing Engineer – Controls for its Illinois facility. This is a senior, hands-on role: you'll own the automation and controls side of a fabrication and assembly operation that runs stamping presses, punch presses, fiber lasers, conveyance systems, and robotic equipment. You'll write and troubleshoot PLC code, redesign electrical schematics for machine modifications, and run capital projects from concept through installation. The team is lean enough that your work is visible plant-wide, and the parent organization has manufacturing sites across North America and Europe — for a candidate who wants ownership now with a path to bigger scope later.Anticipated $115,000–$145,000, based on experienceBenefits include: Health, Vision, Dental, 401K w/ matchOverviewOwn PLC, PMC, and TP program creation, editing, and troubleshooting across the plant floorRedesign and modify electrical schematics for machine and equipment changesDesign, build, and document automation solutions and custom equipmentDevelop and test tooling for work-holding, fixturing, and material handlingRun capital projects start to finish: layout, equipment selection, installation, commissioningImprove existing manufacturing processes to cut cost and hold qualityProvide technical support to production and maintenance teams on new equipmentTrain plant personnel on new processes and equipmentPreferred Skills/ExperiencesBachelor's degree in manufacturing engineering or mechanical engineering 5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience designing equipment, tooling, and fixtures Hands-on experience with CNC equipment, punch presses, fiber lasers, robots, PLCs, and welding PLC, robot, and sensor programming experienceWorking knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and Six SigmaExperience with facility layout, process design, PFMEA, and DOEProficiency with AutoCAD and Microsoft OfficeExposure to MRP systemsAbility to communicate from shop floor to executive levelAbility to lead cross-functional teams to project completionAbility to travel up to 10%KEYWORDS: manufacturing engineer, controls engineer, PLC programming, PMC programming, TP programming, Allen-Bradley, Rockwell Automation, Siemens, electrical schematics, control panel design, fixture design, tooling design, CNC, punch press, fiber laser, robotics, robot programming, automation equipment, capital projects, process improvement, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, DOE, PFMEA, AutoCAD, facility layout, DeKalb IllinoisEEO