Controls Design Engineer Jobs
Controls Design Engineer jobs are open across industrial automation, automotive, energy, and manufacturing, with specializations in PLC programming, HMI development, and motion control, from entry-level to senior and principal. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
Find Controls Design Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 100+ Controls Design Engineer jobs
Build smarter buildings with DMG SC
At DMG’s Service and Controls division (DMG SC), we deliver high‑quality, local support for the products DMG represents. Our Controls Team partners with customers to fine‑tune their equipment through customized, user‑friendly automation solutions. We’re adding a Building Automation Controls Design Engineer to help lead project execution. Occasional travel to project sites across DMG’s territory will be part of your rhythm.
A day in the life
Morning standups align you with project managers and field teams. You turn plans and specs into clear, accepted engineering designs, keep RFIs moving, and guide stakeholders toward design sign‑off. Afternoons might include producing submittals—network topologies, mechanical system layouts, control wiring schematics, BAS panel layouts, bills of materials, sequences of operation, and mechanical schedules—so every document ties back to contract requirements. Preconstruction windows are your time to perform take‑offs and shape controls design estimates for RFP responses.
What you’ll lead
- Serve as technical execution lead delivering building automation and energy management solutions across multiple vertical markets
- Engineer designs from plans/specifications, manage RFIs, and drive design acceptance with project stakeholders
- Develop comprehensive submittals: network architecture, mechanical layouts, control wiring diagrams, BAS panel layouts, BOMs, sequences of operation, and mechanical schedules aligned to plans, specs, and contracts
- Perform take‑offs during preconstruction to estimate controls scope and support competitive RFP proposals
Minimum qualifications
- 3+ years of Building Automation Systems engineering experience
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office; Visio and AutoCAD experience preferred
Preferred qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering
- Ability to read and interpret electrical circuit diagrams
- Experience with Tridium Niagara
- Background in new construction projects
Compensation and benefits
Base salary starting at $90,000, commensurate with experience.
You’ll enjoy excellent health benefits, a 401(k) plan, paid time off, paid holidays, and flexible scheduling. You’ll also join a supportive, hands‑on manager and a fantastic team that takes pride in delivering results.
Build smarter buildings with DMG SC
At DMG’s Service and Controls division (DMG SC), we deliver high‑quality, local support for the products DMG represents. Our Controls Team partners with customers to fine‑tune their equipment through customized, user‑friendly automation solutions. We’re adding a Building Automation Controls Design Engineer to help lead project execution. Occasional travel to project sites across DMG’s territory will be part of your rhythm.
A day in the life
Morning standups align you with project managers and field teams. You turn plans and specs into clear, accepted engineering designs, keep RFIs moving, and guide stakeholders toward design sign‑off. Afternoons might include producing submittals—network topologies, mechanical system layouts, control wiring schematics, BAS panel layouts, bills of materials, sequences of operation, and mechanical schedules—so every document ties back to contract requirements. Preconstruction windows are your time to perform take‑offs and shape controls design estimates for RFP responses.
What you’ll lead
- Serve as technical execution lead delivering building automation and energy management solutions across multiple vertical markets
- Engineer designs from plans/specifications, manage RFIs, and drive design acceptance with project stakeholders
- Develop comprehensive submittals: network architecture, mechanical layouts, control wiring diagrams, BAS panel layouts, BOMs, sequences of operation, and mechanical schedules aligned to plans, specs, and contracts
- Perform take‑offs during preconstruction to estimate controls scope and support competitive RFP proposals
Minimum qualifications
- 3+ years of Building Automation Systems engineering experience
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office; Visio and AutoCAD experience preferred
Preferred qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering
- Ability to read and interpret electrical circuit diagrams
- Experience with Tridium Niagara
- Background in new construction projects
Compensation and benefits
Base salary starting at $90,000, commensurate with experience.
You’ll enjoy excellent health benefits, a 401(k) plan, paid time off, paid holidays, and flexible scheduling. You’ll also join a supportive, hands‑on manager and a fantastic team that takes pride in delivering results.
Controls Design Engineer Jobs by Experience Level
See All 100 Controls Design Engineer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Controls Design Engineer JobsControls Design Engineer Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Amazon11
- Olsson5
- ACCO Engineered Systems5
- H&H4
- EMCOR3
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Manufacturing
- Retail
- Technology & Software
- Construction & Real Estate
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in controls design engineer jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or controls engineering or a related field
- Proficiency in PLC programming using Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or equivalent platforms
- Experience designing HMI screens and SCADA systems for industrial applications
- Familiarity with electrical schematics, panel design, and AutoCAD Electrical or EPLAN
- Knowledge of industrial communication protocols such as EtherNet/IP, Modbus, or PROFINET
- Understanding of machine safety standards including NFPA 79 and ISO 13849
Tips for Your Controls Design Engineer Job Search
Tailor your resume to PLC platforms
Hiring managers scan for the exact platforms you've programmed, Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Beckhoff, or Mitsubishi. List each one explicitly in a skills section and name the software versions you've used, such as Studio 5000 or TIA Portal.
Show real-world control system outcomes
Generic phrases like 'designed control systems' won't stand out. Describe what your design controlled, the process it automated, and what measurably improved, cycle time, uptime, or rejection rate, so your impact is concrete.
Target postings by industry vertical
Controls design work varies significantly between food and beverage, oil and gas, semiconductor fab, and discrete manufacturing. Filter openings by industry and read each job description carefully, required standards like NFPA 79 or ISA-18.2 signal the domain.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists controls design engineer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare for a whiteboard or take-home design task
Many controls interviews include a ladder logic or functional block diagram exercise, sometimes sent as a take-home before the on-site round. Practice reading and writing a simple PLC routine from a process description so you're not doing it cold.
Negotiate scope alongside compensation
Controls design roles vary widely in autonomy, some own full machine design, others implement from a spec. Before accepting an offer, clarify whether you'll be designing from scratch, integrating vendor panels, or modifying existing code, since that shapes your day-to-day growth.
Controls Design Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most controls design engineers?
The most active employers for controls design engineers right now are Amazon, Olsson, and ACCO Engineered Systems, and the most openings are in Texas, California, and Washington, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is especially strong at system integrators and original equipment manufacturers serving the automotive and food processing industries.
How many controls design engineer jobs are remote?
About 43% of controls design engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most controls work. Sub-areas such as off-line PLC programming, documentation development, and simulation-based design are most likely to allow remote or hybrid schedules, while commissioning and startup roles almost always require on-site presence.
How do you become a controls design engineer?
Start with a bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or controls engineering, then build hands-on PLC programming skills through coursework, personal projects, or internships. Earning a Certified Controls System Technician credential and learning at least one major HMI platform strengthens your candidacy. Entry-level roles at system integrators or machine builders are common starting points that expose you to a wide range of industries quickly.
How do you get hired as a controls design engineer with little experience?
Build a portfolio of personal or academic projects that show working PLC logic, even on a simulator or low-cost hardware kit. Internships at system integrators are particularly valuable because they expose you to multiple industries in a short time. Highlight any coursework or projects where you translated a process description into a control scheme, and be specific about the platform and software you used.
What does the controls design engineer interview process look like?
Most processes include an initial screening call, a technical interview covering PLC logic, control theory, and electrical fundamentals, and a practical exercise such as reading or writing a ladder logic routine or reviewing a P&ID. Some employers add a panel review with the engineering team. Final rounds often include a discussion of a past project where you explain your design decisions and how you handled commissioning challenges.
Where can I find and apply to controls design engineer jobs?
You can find and apply to controls design engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your platform experience and industry background, then apply directly to each one that fits your goals.
See All 100 Controls Design Engineer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Controls Design Engineer Jobs