Control Systems Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Control Systems Engineer jobs in Virginia are in strong demand, concentrated in defense and aerospace contracting, power and utilities infrastructure, and government systems integration, with openings from entry-level controls technicians through senior principal engineers. Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads, and the Richmond metro are the most active hiring areas, home to established contractors and operators like Northrop Grumman, Leidos, and Dominion Energy. The most sought-after specialties in Virginia are PLC and SCADA programming, industrial automation for defense platforms, and grid control systems. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles17
Top employerThermo Systems
Top cityManassas, VA
Cities hiring10
Work type83% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 17+ Control Systems Engineer jobs

C
Low Voltage Lead Technician (Access Control, CCTV & Alarm Systems)
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C
Added 1d ago
Low Voltage Lead Technician (Access Control, CCTV & Alarm Systems)
Childress Solutions / Veterans Choice
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Manufacturing Operations
Project Management
Quality Control
$28 - $50/hr
On-Site

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core secure llc
Security Systems Technician / Foreman – Access Control & CCTV
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core secure llc
Added 1w ago
Security Systems Technician / Foreman – Access Control & CCTV
core secure llc
Manassas, Virginia
Maintenance & Repair
Skilled Trades
Technical Program Management
$60k - $110k/yr
Aerial Lift Certification

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Thermo Systems LLC
Senior Control Systems Technician
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Thermo Systems LLC
Added 3w ago
Senior Control Systems Technician
Thermo Systems LLC
Virginia
Customer Success
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
Technical Program Management
Bachelor of Science
201-500

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Qualdoc
Lead Electrical Design Engineer – Power & Control Systems
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Qualdoc
Added 1mo ago
Lead Electrical Design Engineer – Power & Control Systems
Qualdoc
Henrico County, VA
Customer Support
IT Support
Technical Program Management
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering

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Life Cycle Engineering
Machinery Control Systems (MCS) Technician (Norfolk, VA)
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Life Cycle Engineering
Added 2mo ago
Machinery Control Systems (MCS) Technician (Norfolk, VA)
Life Cycle Engineering
Norfolk, Virginia
Project & Program Management
Software Engineering
Technical Product & Program Management
$90k - $105k/yr
High school diploma or GED
501-1,000

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See All 17 Control Systems Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Control Systems Engineer Jobs by City in Virginia

Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Manassas
3 jobs
Reston
2 jobs
Sterling
2 jobs
Chantilly
2 jobs
Norfolk
1 job
Roanoke
1 job
Richmond
1 job
Stafford
1 job
Springfield
1 job

Control Systems Engineer Job Market in Virginia

A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Thermo Systems
Thermo Systems3 open roles
RoviSys Building Technologies
RoviSys Building Technologies2 open roles
SAIC
SAIC1 open role

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software
  • Manufacturing
  • Consulting & Professional Services
  • Energy
  • Retail

What Virginia Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in control systems engineer jobs across Virginia.

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or systems engineering from an accredited program
  • Proficiency with PLC platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or GE and SCADA systems
  • Experience designing or commissioning industrial or defense-related control systems
  • Active or obtainable DoD security clearance preferred by many Virginia federal contractors
  • Familiarity with ISA, NFPA 79, or IEC 61511 functional safety and control standards
  • Professional Engineer licensure in Virginia or eligibility to pursue licensure a plus for senior roles

Control Systems Engineer Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a control systems engineer in Virginia?

A bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or systems engineering is the standard entry point for control systems engineer roles in Virginia. While no state-specific license is required to work in the role, engineers who advance to sign off on designs or take senior positions at utilities or public works often pursue Professional Engineer licensure through the Virginia Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects. Many Virginia employers, particularly defense contractors in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, also expect candidates to be clearance-eligible from day one.

How much do control systems engineers make in Virginia?

Control systems engineers in Virginia earn a median of about $148,160 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $84,590 for the lowest 10% to over $195,190 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire control systems engineers in Virginia?

Employers hiring control systems engineers in Virginia right now include Thermo Systems, RoviSys Building Technologies, and SAIC, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Virginia's concentration of federal contractors and regulated utilities means many of these employers offer long-term project pipelines and steady demand for controls expertise.

Which Virginia cities have the most control systems engineer jobs?

Manassas, Reston, and Sterling have the most control systems engineer openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia leads because of its dense cluster of defense and federal IT contractors, while Hampton Roads reflects steady demand from naval and shipbuilding operations, and Richmond draws openings from Dominion Energy and the broader industrial corridor along the I-64 and I-95 corridors.

Are there remote control systems engineer jobs in Virginia?

Yes, but they're rare. About 17% of control systems engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most controls work. The roles most likely to allow remote or hybrid arrangements are systems architecture, controls software development, and documentation-heavy design work rather than commissioning or on-site integration.

How can I get hired as a control systems engineer in Virginia with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying to associate controls engineer or controls technician roles at Virginia's large defense contractors and utility operators, where employers like Leidos and Dominion Energy run structured new-graduate programs and rotational engineering tracks. Lateral moves from electrical technician, instrumentation technician, or automation technician positions are common. Building hands-on PLC and SCADA skills through lab coursework or a community college automation program, combined with a portfolio of even small control logic projects, gives candidates a clear edge over applicants with only classroom credentials.

Where can I find and apply to control systems engineer jobs in Virginia?

You can find and apply to control systems engineer jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across defense, utilities, and industrial sectors. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.

See All 17 Control Systems Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Control Systems Engineer Jobs