Control Systems Engineer
Thermo Systems LLC
Chicago, IL
Control Systems Engineer
Location: Onsite in Beaver Dam, WI
Employment Status: Full Time | Direct Hire
Compensation: $66,000 - $84,000 per year + Annual Bonus Eligibility
Travel: Up to 50% depending on project assignments
On Call: May participate in on-call rotation based on location and project requirements
Who We Are
Thermo Systems is a global, full-service control systems integration partner delivering premier class automation solutions across the Energy, Life Sciences, and Mission Critical markets.
Guided by The Thermo Way, we are unified, dynamic, and committed to delivering excellence. Our culture is grounded in three core principles:
Employee Success – investing in our people and their growth
Customer Success – delivering reliable, high-quality solutions
Financial Strength – operating with discipline and long-term focus
We believe strong teams, trusted partnerships, and technical excellence drive sustainable success.
The Opportunity
The Control Systems Project Engineer I supports the design, development, and delivery of industrial automation and control system projects. This entry-level engineering role provides hands-on exposure to control system integration including hardware and software development, testing, commissioning, and installation support.
Working alongside experienced project engineers and project managers, you will develop foundational skills in PLC programming, SCADA/HMI systems, and industrial networking while contributing to high-impact automation projects across mission-critical infrastructure and industrial environments.
This position is ideal for early-career engineers who want to gain real-world field and project experience while developing strong technical and problem-solving capabilities.
What You’ll Do
Core Responsibilities
- Support control system engineering tasks including design development, testing, and system integration.
- Assist with installation, startup, commissioning, and troubleshooting of automation systems.
- Participate in Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) and commissioning activities.
- Read and interpret piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs) and wiring diagrams.
- Assist with configuration and development of HMI and PLC-based control systems.
- Support project documentation including testing reports, configuration records, and design updates.
- Provide status updates on assigned tasks and escalate issues to project leads when necessary.
Collaboration & Communication
- Coordinate with project engineers, field technicians, and project managers to support project execution.
- Communicate clearly with internal teams and customers during installation, testing, and commissioning activities.
- Follow customer-specific standards and procedures when working on project sites.
- Maintain professional and positive working relationships with coworkers, project teams, and client representatives.
Quality, Safety & Process
- Follow Thermo Systems Quality Management System (QMS) procedures during engineering and project activities.
- Maintain strong attention to detail in documentation, testing, and system configuration.
- Follow all safety procedures and use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when required.
- Support continuous improvement of engineering practices and project delivery processes.
What We’re Looking For
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline.
- Typically 0–2 years of experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, or system integration environments.
- Internship, co-op, or project experience related to automation or industrial systems preferred.
Skills & Qualifications
- Basic understanding of PLCs, HMI systems, and industrial automation concepts.
- Familiarity with interpreting electrical schematics and P&IDs.
- Ability to troubleshoot technical issues and support system integration activities.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools and standard engineering documentation practices.
- Hands-on experience with basic electrical tools and instrumentation equipment such as multimeters preferred.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking skills.
- Effective communication and teamwork abilities.
- Ability to manage priorities and meet deadlines in dynamic project environments.
- Commitment to quality, safety, and professional growth.
What You’ll Get
- Competitive compensation with annual bonus opportunity
- 401(k) with company match
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with low-cost options
- Paid time off and sick leave
- Tuition reimbursement and professional credential support
- In-house and external technical training opportunities
- Exposure to complex, high-impact automation projects
- A collaborative culture built on integrity, accountability, and teamwork
Learn more at www.thermosystems.com
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
The physical and environmental demands described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Thermo Systems provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other protected status.
Disclaimer
This job description outlines the general nature and level of work expected. Responsibilities may evolve based on business needs.
About the Company
Thermo Systems LLC
Thermo Systems is a global, full-service control systems integration partner, providing world-class automation solutions within the District Energy, Life Sciences, Mission Critical, and Power Generation markets. We excel at managing and delivering turnkey projects to our EPC & AE partners while also specializing in customized direct-to-owner solutions, focusing on industries where we can offer unmatched domain knowledge to deliver the best possible services and technologies for your needs. By investing in our people, we provide a project team with the skill and expertise to overcome your biggest industrial automation and information challenges.
To reinforce our commitment to serving our customers locally, we have engineers located throughout North America and Europe. Each office is staffed with automation experts who excel at our focus industries and fit the Thermo culture of encouraging professional growth to exceed customer expectations.