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.

Find Control Systems Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open roles25
Top employerThermo Systems
Top citySterling, VA
Cities hiring13
Work type67% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 25+ Control Systems Engineer jobs

Kastle Systems
Remote Pre-Sales Security Systems Engineer - Access Control & CCTV
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Kastle Systems
Added 4d ago
Remote Pre-Sales Security Systems Engineer - Access Control & CCTV
Kastle Systems
Sterling, Virginia
Account Management
Customer Success
Sales
Remote (US)
Associate's degree
501-1,000

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I2G Systems
Remote Pre-Sales Security Systems Engineer - Access Control & CCTV
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I2G Systems
Added 4d ago
Remote Pre-Sales Security Systems Engineer - Access Control & CCTV
I2G Systems
Sterling, Virginia
Account Management
Customer Success
Sales
Remote (US)
Associate's degree
201-500

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Collins Aerospace
Principal Systems Engineer - Athena Control Systems (ONSITE)
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Collins Aerospace
Added 5d ago
Principal Systems Engineer - Athena Control Systems (ONSITE)
Collins Aerospace
Sterling, Virginia
Customer Service
Customer Support
$118k - $225k/yr
On-Site
10,000+

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Collins Aerospace
Senior Systems Engineer - Athena Control Systems (ONSITE)
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Collins Aerospace
Added 5d ago
Senior Systems Engineer - Athena Control Systems (ONSITE)
Collins Aerospace
Sterling, Virginia
Customer Service
Customer Support
$96k - $182k/yr
On-Site
10,000+

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Thermo Systems LLC
Lead Control Systems Engineer
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Thermo Systems LLC
Added 1w ago
Lead Control Systems Engineer
Thermo Systems LLC
Reston, Virginia
Customer Service
Customer Support
Hybrid
Bachelor of Science
201-500

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See All 25 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.

Sterling
5 jobs
Chantilly
3 jobs
Reston
2 jobs
Norfolk
2 jobs
Manassas
2 jobs
Lorton
1 job
Radford
1 job
Roanoke
1 job
Richmond
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 Systems4 open roles
Kastle Systems
Kastle Systems2 open roles
Collins Aerospace
Collins Aerospace2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software
  • Consulting & Professional Services
  • Manufacturing
  • Energy
  • Electronics & Hardware

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, Kastle Systems, and Collins Aerospace, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 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?

Sterling, Chantilly, and Virginia 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 33% of control systems engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of September 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 25 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