Industrial Controls Designer

Crystal Lake, IL | $95,000–$110,000 Base + Annual Profit Sharing Bonus

Our client is a well-established, family-owned industrial manufacturer seeking an Industrial Controls Designer to join their growing engineering team. This is an exciting opportunity to work on large-scale, custom-engineered industrial systems where your designs directly impact complex automation and material handling projects.

This role is ideal for an electrical or controls professional who enjoys the design side of automation — creating electrical architectures, developing control system documentation, and collaborating with engineers, vendors, and contractors to bring large industrial projects to life.

Unlike a traditional controls programming role, this position focuses heavily on electrical design and system integration. You’ll have the opportunity to work on unique, highly engineered projects rather than repetitive equipment, while partnering with an experienced engineering team that values technical growth and mentorship.

Job Highlights:

• Design electrical and controls systems for large custom industrial equipment and process systems
• Work on unique automation projects across multiple industries
• Join a technically strong engineering team with decades of industry expertise
• Family-owned company with a collaborative, community-focused culture
• Strong stability with a long history of success and continued growth
• Opportunity to take ownership of electrical designs from concept through implementation
• Annual profit-sharing bonus typically ranging from $5K–$7K+ for experienced professionals
• Excellent benefits package including:
• Highly subsidized medical coverage
• Dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) match
• Annual merit-based raises

Responsibilities:

• Create electrical schematics, control panel layouts, and electrical design packages
• Develop cable routing plans, conduit sizing, and electrical documentation
• Design controls architectures for custom industrial equipment and systems
• Specify electrical components including PLC hardware, HMIs, VFDs, motors, sensors, MCCs, and control panels
• Collaborate with mechanical engineers, project managers, vendors, and contractors
• Review electrical installations and support implementation of designs
• Interpret P&IDs and coordinate designs across multiple engineering disciplines
• Assist with system integration and troubleshooting as needed
• Travel approximately 25% to customer sites, vendors, and company engineering locations

Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience in Controls Design, Electrical Design, or similar engineering roles within industrial automation, manufacturing, or OEM environments
• Experience designing electrical schematics, control panels, cable routing, and control system drawings
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or similar electrical design software
• Understanding of PLC-based control systems and industrial automation architecture
• Knowledge of electrical components including MCCs, switchgear, VFDs, motors, sensors, and controls
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs and technical drawings
• Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate with vendors and contractors

Preferred Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical field
• Experience designing custom machinery, process systems, or large industrial equipment
• Familiarity with Rockwell Studio 5000, Siemens TIA Portal, or SCADA systems
• Knowledge of industrial communication protocols such as Ethernet/IP, Modbus, or Profibus
• Understanding of NEC standards and industrial electrical codes
• Experience with material handling, mining, recycling, foundry, or similar industries

Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate is someone who enjoys solving complex engineering challenges and wants to work on large, custom-designed systems. This person should be comfortable managing multiple projects, communicating with internal teams and external partners, and owning electrical designs from initial concept through final implementation.

This is a great fit for someone coming from an OEM, automation company, or systems integrator who wants to work on challenging projects while continuing to grow technically within a stable organization.

Location: Crystal Lake, IL

Compensation: $95,000–$110,000 base (higher range available for highly qualified candidates) + annual profit-sharing bonus