Junior Controls Engineer
Gotion · Manteno, IL
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Base pay
- $60k–$70k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 2+ years
- Industry
- Automotive
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at Gotion (automotive) in Manteno, IL. Assist in supporting day-to-day manufacturing operations to ensure safe, stable, and efficient production processes.
- They ask for
- 2+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- OEE, Root cause, PLC, Robotics, Automation
- Base pay
- $60k–$70k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
How this role compares
Against 28 other live controls postings in Illinois.
- Base pay
- About 41% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (2+ vs 5+)
Typical $87k–$133k, from 17 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 79%
- ✓ PLC 72%
- ✓ Root cause 41%
- ✓ Robotics 38%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 34%
- Team leadership 21%
✓ = 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 Gotion
We found 3 people at this company and state: 3 on the team, plus 2 likely hiring managers. 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 Yu → (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 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: Gotion in Manteno
24 other open roles at this site · 3 people we found on the controls team.
- Junior Equipment Engineer · Manufacturing
- 2nd shift Production Supervisor (Pack D) · Production · Supervisor
- Maintenance Technician (1st shift) · Reliability · Technician
- Lean Supervisor · Lean / CI · Supervisor
- Equipment Engineer, Module &Pack Line · Manufacturing
- Senior Production Quality Engineer · Quality · Senior
Full description from GotionAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Assist in supporting day-to-day manufacturing operations to ensure safe, stable, and efficient production processes.
- ◆Help monitor equipment performance and identify opportunities to improve yield, throughput, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
- ◆Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, and Maintenance teams to troubleshoot equipment and process issues.
- ◆Support the development and maintenance of control systems, including PLC programs, HMIs, and industrial automation equipment.
- ◆Assist with equipment startups, commissioning activities, and production line qualifications.
- ◆Participate in root cause investigations and corrective action efforts to resolve manufacturing and equipment issues.
- ◆Help create and maintain technical documentation, including work instructions, standard operating procedures, and troubleshooting guides.
- ◆Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on process optimization, quality enhancement, and waste reduction.
- ◆Work with maintenance personnel to diagnose and resolve electrical and control system issues.
- ◆Assist with data collection, analysis, and reporting to support manufacturing performance improvements.
- ◆Participate in automation, robotics, and Industry 4.0 projects as assigned.
- ◆Provide training support to production personnel on equipment operation and process changes.
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- ✓Recent graduates are encouraged to apply.
- ✓Internship, co-op, academic project, or up to 2 years of experience in manufacturing, automation, controls, or a related engineering field.
- ✓Exposure to industrial automation, manufacturing equipment, or process improvement projects is preferred.
- ✓Basic understanding of PLC programming and industrial control systems.
- ✓Familiarity with Siemens PLCs, Allen-Bradley PLCs, or similar automation platforms is a plus.
- ✓Understanding of electrical schematics, sensors, motors, and industrial equipment.
- ✓Exposure to HMI systems and industrial communication networks such as Ethernet/IP, Modbus, or Profinet is preferred.
- ✓Interest in robotics, machine vision, and automated manufacturing technologies.
- ✓Basic knowledge of troubleshooting methodologies and problem-solving techniques.
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓Internship or project experience in a manufacturing environment.
- ✓Experience with robotics, automation, or controls-related coursework.
- ✓Familiarity with data analysis and continuous improvement concepts.
- ✓Strong desire to learn and grow within a manufacturing engineering organization.
At Gotion Inc., we strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Gotion Inc. is based in Silicon Valley, CA, currently building a Manufacturing facility in Manteno, IL and has R&D centers in Ohio, China, Japan and Europe. We innovate in the next generation electric vehicle and energy storage technologies (lithium batteries and related systems) with the aim to accelerate electrified transportation and achieve sustainable development. Gotion is powered by a leading power battery technology company that provides solutions for vehicles including the world's first mass commercial e-bus route.
Gotion is a career destination - we are not simply attempting to just fill another job, but to pursue a dream of global green energy together! We offer outstanding opportunities to individuals seeking an exciting and challenging working environment. Everyone is highly valued and plays a vital role in the growth of our organization.
Gotion is seeking a motivated Junior Controls Engineer to join our team at our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Manteno, IL. This is an excellent opportunity for a recent graduate or early-career engineer to gain hands-on experience supporting automated manufacturing equipment and production processes in a fast-paced battery manufacturing environment.
The Junior Controls Engineer will work closely with experienced engineers, maintenance technicians, and production teams to support equipment performance, troubleshoot control systems, improve manufacturing processes, and contribute to automation projects. This role offers significant opportunities for learning and professional development in controls engineering, PLC programming, robotics, and advanced manufacturing technologies.