Sr. Chemical Engineering Manager - PLC Automation
Honeywell · Des Plaines, IL
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Controls
- Travel
- 5%
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 6+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A management controls role at Honeywell (industrial) in Des Plaines, IL. PIC's work process also involves staging and testing of its products with a dynamic simulator and the programming of same.
- They ask for
- 6+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- CAPA, PLC, Automation
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage · about 5% travel · relocation help
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 $87k–$127k.
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
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (6+ vs 5+)
Typical $87k–$127k, from 25 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 76%
- ✓ PLC 73%
- Robotics 43%
- Root cause 30%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 27%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for CAPA, New product launch, 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 Honeywell
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 5% 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 HoneywellAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Key responsibilities
- ◆Implement standards, processes and tools for continuous improvement of team productivity and efficiency
- ◆Design Workload Planning & Execution Oversight – plan PIC software and service support assignments/tasks for PIC control system product lines supporting various UOP Process Technologies including H2 PSA and Gas Processing
- ◆Be the primary interface for NPI with UOP R&D, business & sales support teams
- ◆Drive the global execution and growth using IPL and/or HPS teams
- ◆Provide technical information, cost data & labor estimates as required for Sales Support
- ◆Coordinate PIC control systems customer training with the UOP Training Services team and deliver them.
- ◆Lead ISO development activities, manage Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) program for continued compliance with the Quality Management Systems
- ◆Manage and support career development of new hires through PIC control system training program
- ◆Ensure measurable high level of quality on all software and service support related tasks/assignments
- ◆Co-ordinate PIC commissioning assignments with PC&I field services leadership and Regional Services (RS) for service support alignment
- ◆Support UOP PIC initiatives and sales support/business discussions for UOP New Product Initiatives (NPI) and After Market Business (AMB) opportunities related to control system retrofits, upgrades, site services and/or spare parts
You must have
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in engineering (preferably Chemical or Electrical), or Computer Science
- ✓6+ years of control systems software customization, troubleshooting, site services and/or service support experience
- ✓Knowledge and familiarity with PIC control system product lines such as ACCS, DRCS, CRCS, PSA, Oleflex CRCS/DRCS, etc.
- ✓2+ years of project and/or team management experience
Requirements
Due to compliance with U.S. export control laws and regulations, candidate must be a U.S. Person, which is defined as, a U.S. citizen, a U.S. permanent resident, or have protected status in the U.S. under asylum or refugee status or have the ability to obtain an export authorization
Relocation support may be provided.
Travel: Up to 5% both international and domestic
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Lead and develop a talented engineering team of senior professionals and engineers responsible for the development of Honeywell UOP’s PIC products.
PIC's control systems have components of regulatory and batch control, advanced process control, expert systems, DCS (Distributed Control Systems) Interfacing, training simulators. PIC's work process also involves staging and testing of its products with a dynamic simulator and the programming of same. PIC is involved in the production and development of many different control systems that are sold to external customers. Each member of the Software & Service Support Group has the responsibility for ongoing development of existing products and the support of the Project Engineering and Site Service Groups. Additionally, the development of control systems for new UOP processes are regularly undertaken by the group. The PIC department is accountable for the production and development of custom control systems based on PLCs and PCs that are sold to external customers.
You will report directly to our Director, Chemical Engineer and you’ll work out of our Des Plaines, IL location on a Hybrid work schedule.
Hybrid Work Schedule Note: For the first 90 days, New Hires must be prepared to work 100% onsite M-F
We value
- •Significant Engineering experience in developing/customizing control systems software for batch or continuous process application in the refining and/or petrochemicals industries
- •Experience in instrumentation, electrical and/or control system field checkout, commissioning and startup
- •Experience with high pressure customer-interfacing situations and technical service support.
- •Understanding of the concepts and role of software and hardware within control systems as a key.
- •Understanding various software development lifecycles. Knowledge of software configuration management and change management practices
- •Some demonstrated leadership experience in overseeing entry to senior level professionals
- •Track record of driving improvements to team performance though team coaching & high impact work practices
- •Ability to convey subtle or complex messages clearly, as appropriate for the topic and audience
- •Ability to consistently make timely decisions and balance systematic analysis with decisiveness, even in the face of complexity
- •Self-motivated and able to work with little supervision, who consistently take the initiative to get things done, do things before being asked by others.
- •Strong organizational, troubleshooting, problem solving and analytical skills Effective Communicator with excellent oral and written communication skills Travel: Ability to travel up to 5% annually to both domestic and international locations.
Benefits of working for honeywell
In addition to a competitive salary, leading-edge work, and developing solutions side-by-side with dedicated experts in their fields, Honeywell employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package. This package includes employer subsidized Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance; Short-Term and Long-Term Disability; 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, EAP, and Educational Assistance; Parental Leave, Paid Time Off (for vacation, personal business, sick time, and parental leave), and 12 Paid Holidays. Learn more (https://benefits.honeywell.com/)
The application period for the job is estimated to be 40 days from the job posting date; however, this may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. Job Posting Date: July 10.2026.