Associate Controls Engineer Jobs
Associate controls engineer jobs are open across manufacturing, oil and gas, automotive, and utilities, at levels from entry-level to senior associate, with specializations in PLC programming, process automation, and SCADA systems. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Company Summary
Our client is a global manufacturer of advanced, high-speed automated production machinery. They are expanding a U.S. engineering hub north of Boston to develop robotic and automation solutions close to their American customers. The hub works closely with a larger U.S. engineering site and engineering teams in Europe, and it concentrates on prototypes and early-stage project execution. Depending on the project and supply-chain needs, projects are finished locally or handed off to sister sites for production. The company has an immediate hiring plan for these two roles and expects to add several more engineering hires next year.
Job Summary
We are seeking a Controls Engineer to join a growing engineering hub. The role is focused on PLC programming and automation controls. You will develop, test, and support the controls for prototype machinery, work directly with customers, and travel for installation, validation, and commissioning. Engineers may own entire projects or take defined portions of larger ones, collaborating with colleagues across multiple locations.
Responsibilities
- Design, program, and debug PLC code for automated machinery and robotic systems
- Develop HMI and SCADA applications, and implement motion control
- Read and interpret electrical drawings to support design, build, and troubleshooting
- Support the first prototype build, then hand projects over to other sites for production as needed
- Own complete projects or defined portions of larger multi-site projects
- Travel to customer and installation sites for installation, validation, and commissioning
- Manage customer relationships and communicate project status clearly
- Proactively identify and resolve technical issues during development and commissioning
- Collaborate with engineering teams across U.S. and international locations
Requirements
- 5+ years of relevant controls and automation engineering experience
- Hands-on PLC programming experience
- HMI development experience
- Motion control experience
- SCADA software experience
- Ability to read and understand electrical drawings
- Experience with Rockwell/Allen-Bradley PLCs, or Siemens (other PLC platforms may be considered)
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Comfortable collaborating across locations in a structured engineering environment
- Willingness to travel
- Engineering degree preferred
Preferred Requirements
- Rockwell/Allen-Bradley experience
- CodeSys experience
- Robotics programming experience
- Master’s degree in engineering
- Customer-facing experience and a proactive approach to debugging
Compensation/Benefits
- Base salary of approximately $150K–$160K, depending on experience
- Profit sharing of up to 4%, based on the company achieving its annual financial target
- 401(k) plan
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Travel expenses covered, including flights and hotels, with a company travel portal and company credit card
- $50 per day travel allowance
- Opportunity to join an engineering hub in growth mode, with significant additional hiring planned
Location
North of Boston, Massachusetts. This is an on-site role. Travel for installation, validation, and commissioning averages roughly one week per month, though it varies by project. Some periods involve two to three weeks of travel followed by several months with none.
Company Summary
Our client is a global manufacturer of advanced, high-speed automated production machinery. They are expanding a U.S. engineering hub north of Boston to develop robotic and automation solutions close to their American customers. The hub works closely with a larger U.S. engineering site and engineering teams in Europe, and it concentrates on prototypes and early-stage project execution. Depending on the project and supply-chain needs, projects are finished locally or handed off to sister sites for production. The company has an immediate hiring plan for these two roles and expects to add several more engineering hires next year.
Job Summary
We are seeking a Controls Engineer to join a growing engineering hub. The role is focused on PLC programming and automation controls. You will develop, test, and support the controls for prototype machinery, work directly with customers, and travel for installation, validation, and commissioning. Engineers may own entire projects or take defined portions of larger ones, collaborating with colleagues across multiple locations.
Responsibilities
- Design, program, and debug PLC code for automated machinery and robotic systems
- Develop HMI and SCADA applications, and implement motion control
- Read and interpret electrical drawings to support design, build, and troubleshooting
- Support the first prototype build, then hand projects over to other sites for production as needed
- Own complete projects or defined portions of larger multi-site projects
- Travel to customer and installation sites for installation, validation, and commissioning
- Manage customer relationships and communicate project status clearly
- Proactively identify and resolve technical issues during development and commissioning
- Collaborate with engineering teams across U.S. and international locations
Requirements
- 5+ years of relevant controls and automation engineering experience
- Hands-on PLC programming experience
- HMI development experience
- Motion control experience
- SCADA software experience
- Ability to read and understand electrical drawings
- Experience with Rockwell/Allen-Bradley PLCs, or Siemens (other PLC platforms may be considered)
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Comfortable collaborating across locations in a structured engineering environment
- Willingness to travel
- Engineering degree preferred
Preferred Requirements
- Rockwell/Allen-Bradley experience
- CodeSys experience
- Robotics programming experience
- Master’s degree in engineering
- Customer-facing experience and a proactive approach to debugging
Compensation/Benefits
- Base salary of approximately $150K–$160K, depending on experience
- Profit sharing of up to 4%, based on the company achieving its annual financial target
- 401(k) plan
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Travel expenses covered, including flights and hotels, with a company travel portal and company credit card
- $50 per day travel allowance
- Opportunity to join an engineering hub in growth mode, with significant additional hiring planned
Location
North of Boston, Massachusetts. This is an on-site role. Travel for installation, validation, and commissioning averages roughly one week per month, though it varies by project. Some periods involve two to three weeks of travel followed by several months with none.
Associate Controls Engineer Jobs by Experience Level
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Find JobsAssociate Controls Engineer Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Tesla73
- Amazon51
- Eaton43
- LAPORTE33
- GE Vernova30
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services60
- Manufacturing43
- Automotive19
- Technology & Software11
- Chemicals & Materials8
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in associate controls engineer jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or controls engineering
- Hands-on experience with PLC programming using Allen-Bradley or Siemens platforms
- Familiarity with SCADA systems and human-machine interface development
- Knowledge of industrial communication protocols such as Ethernet/IP, Modbus, or Profibus
- Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and P&ID drawings
- Experience with or understanding of functional safety standards such as IEC 61511 or ISA-99
Tips for Your Associate Controls Engineer Job Search
Tailor your resume to control systems
List every PLC platform you've programmed by name, such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Beckhoff, alongside the communication protocols you've used. Generic automation experience rarely clears an applicant tracking system built to filter for specific hardware and software keywords.
Highlight project scope and outcomes
Controls engineers are hired to solve measurable problems, so describe each project by what system you controlled, the environment it operated in, and the result. Vague phrases like 'assisted with automation projects' cost you interviews that specific detail would have won.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists associate controls engineer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings by industry vertical
Job titles vary significantly across industries. Search using industry-specific terms like 'controls automation engineer' in automotive postings or 'instrumentation and controls engineer' in oil and gas, in addition to the standard title, so you don't miss roles that match your skills.
Prepare for a practical technical screen
Many associate controls engineer interviews include a live ladder logic or function block diagram exercise. Practice writing a basic motor start-stop sequence, a PID loop segment, or a safety interlock routine before your first phone screen, not just before an on-site.
Negotiate start date around licensing timelines
If you're pursuing an EIT credential or waiting on a state PE application, tell the hiring manager upfront. Employers in regulated industries often prefer a candidate who's transparent about certification timelines over one who stays silent and misses a compliance requirement later.
Associate Controls Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most associate controls engineers?
The companies hiring the most associate controls engineers right now include Tesla, Amazon, and Eaton, with the largest share of openings in California, Michigan, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is strongest in manufacturing, energy, and industrial automation sectors.
How many associate controls engineer jobs are remote?
About 44% of associate controls engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most controls work. Remote opportunities are most common in roles focused on off-site SCADA configuration, controls software development, or systems architecture rather than field commissioning or panel building.
How do you become an associate controls engineer?
Earn a bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or controls engineering, then build hands-on PLC and HMI skills through capstone projects, internships, or personal lab work using simulation software. Pursue an Engineer-in-Training credential after graduation, and target entry-level roles that offer field commissioning experience alongside senior engineers, since on-site exposure accelerates your technical development faster than classroom instruction alone.
How do you get hired as an associate controls engineer with little experience?
Focus on demonstrating hands-on PLC work even if it comes from coursework or personal projects, since employers care more about whether you can write and troubleshoot ladder logic than how many years you've done it professionally. Document any lab automation, senior capstone, or co-op project in portfolio form, and apply to roles at system integrators, which typically onboard junior engineers through direct project exposure rather than requiring prior industrial experience.
What does the associate controls engineer interview process look like?
Most associate controls engineer interview processes begin with a recruiter call covering background and availability, followed by a technical phone screen where you'll be asked about PLC platforms, communication protocols, and basic control theory. Finalists typically complete an on-site or video interview with engineering staff that includes a practical exercise, such as writing a simple control sequence or reading a schematic, before a final conversation with a hiring manager.
Where can I find and apply to associate controls engineer jobs?
You can find and apply to associate controls engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that match your background and apply directly to each listing without leaving the platform.
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