Controls Designer Jobs
Controls Designer jobs are open across industrial automation, building systems, and process control, hired by manufacturers, engineering firms, utilities, and system integrators at every level from entry-level technician to senior controls engineer. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 23+ Controls Designer jobs
Johnson Controls, a global leader in thermal management, mission-critical building systems, energy efficiency, and decarbonization, helps customers use energy more productively, reduce carbon emissions, and operate with the precision and resilience required in rapidly expanding industries such as data centers, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, and higher education.
For more than 140 years, Johnson Controls has delivered performance where it really matters. Backed by advanced technology, lifecycle services and an industry-leading field organization, we elevate customer performance, turn goals into real-world results and help move society forward.
What you will do:
Under direct supervision and using established standards, responsible for hardware designs and software programming for HVAC control systems to meet the intent of the project requirements. Provides detailed information and submittals to communicate design and operation to customers, consultants, Johnson Controls field installation team and subcontractors. Responds to basic warranty calls.
How you will do it:
- Selects hardware designs from standard design library for flow diagrams, sequence of operations, bill of material, network layouts and electrical schematics as required.
- Performs software programming using established standards as a basis of design.
- Coordinates the creation of necessary drawings and equipment schedules for submittals and installation.
- Selects, orders, and tracks the delivery of materials for assigned projects. Coordinates factory-mounting processes to meet factory and project schedule.
- Assists in the loading and commissioning of all system and network-level controllers as required. Assists in validation of complete system functionality and troubleshoots problems with subcontractors and other trades to ensure proper operation.
- Gathers field changes from the project team and creates as-built drawings and software. Prepares proper documentation and/or manuals for system operation.
- Keeps management and JCI contractor or customer informed of job progress and issues.
- Assists in performing site-specific training for owner/operator on the total system.
- Completes paperwork including but not limited to time sheets, expense reports, and on-site documentation.
- Adheres to safety standards. High degree of regard to employee and subcontractor safety.
What we look for:
Required
- Minimum of three years of experience with installing and/or commissioning Johnson controls Metasys systems including system-level controllers, and working knowledge and experience using Metasys Tools: RAC schedule, CCT, SCT, Visio.
- Demonstrated knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and control systems.
- Demonstrated technical aptitude.
- Demonstrated advanced computer skills required, particularly computer-related drafting tools.
Preferred
- Associates or Bachelors Degree in Mechanical /Electrical Engineering or Computer Science or 5 + years in the HVAC field.
- Experience with installing and/or commissioning controls systems including system-level controllers – or – experience designing or evaluating mechanical/electrical building systems or control systems
HIRING HOURLY RANGE: $33-$45 (Hourly rate to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.) This position includes a competitive benefits package. The posted salary range reflects the target compensation for this role. However, we recognize that exceptional candidates may bring unique skills and experiences that exceed the typical profile. If you believe your background warrants consideration beyond the stated range, we encourage you to apply. To support an efficient and fair hiring process, we may use technology assisted tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to help identify and evaluate candidates. All hiring decisions are ultimately made by human reviewers. For details, please visit the About Us tab on the Johnson Controls Careers site at https://jobs.johnsoncontrols.com/about-us
Johnson Controls, a global leader in thermal management, mission-critical building systems, energy efficiency, and decarbonization, helps customers use energy more productively, reduce carbon emissions, and operate with the precision and resilience required in rapidly expanding industries such as data centers, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, and higher education.
For more than 140 years, Johnson Controls has delivered performance where it really matters. Backed by advanced technology, lifecycle services and an industry-leading field organization, we elevate customer performance, turn goals into real-world results and help move society forward.
What you will do:
Under direct supervision and using established standards, responsible for hardware designs and software programming for HVAC control systems to meet the intent of the project requirements. Provides detailed information and submittals to communicate design and operation to customers, consultants, Johnson Controls field installation team and subcontractors. Responds to basic warranty calls.
How you will do it:
- Selects hardware designs from standard design library for flow diagrams, sequence of operations, bill of material, network layouts and electrical schematics as required.
- Performs software programming using established standards as a basis of design.
- Coordinates the creation of necessary drawings and equipment schedules for submittals and installation.
- Selects, orders, and tracks the delivery of materials for assigned projects. Coordinates factory-mounting processes to meet factory and project schedule.
- Assists in the loading and commissioning of all system and network-level controllers as required. Assists in validation of complete system functionality and troubleshoots problems with subcontractors and other trades to ensure proper operation.
- Gathers field changes from the project team and creates as-built drawings and software. Prepares proper documentation and/or manuals for system operation.
- Keeps management and JCI contractor or customer informed of job progress and issues.
- Assists in performing site-specific training for owner/operator on the total system.
- Completes paperwork including but not limited to time sheets, expense reports, and on-site documentation.
- Adheres to safety standards. High degree of regard to employee and subcontractor safety.
What we look for:
Required
- Minimum of three years of experience with installing and/or commissioning Johnson controls Metasys systems including system-level controllers, and working knowledge and experience using Metasys Tools: RAC schedule, CCT, SCT, Visio.
- Demonstrated knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and control systems.
- Demonstrated technical aptitude.
- Demonstrated advanced computer skills required, particularly computer-related drafting tools.
Preferred
- Associates or Bachelors Degree in Mechanical /Electrical Engineering or Computer Science or 5 + years in the HVAC field.
- Experience with installing and/or commissioning controls systems including system-level controllers – or – experience designing or evaluating mechanical/electrical building systems or control systems
HIRING HOURLY RANGE: $33-$45 (Hourly rate to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.) This position includes a competitive benefits package. The posted salary range reflects the target compensation for this role. However, we recognize that exceptional candidates may bring unique skills and experiences that exceed the typical profile. If you believe your background warrants consideration beyond the stated range, we encourage you to apply. To support an efficient and fair hiring process, we may use technology assisted tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to help identify and evaluate candidates. All hiring decisions are ultimately made by human reviewers. For details, please visit the About Us tab on the Johnson Controls Careers site at https://jobs.johnsoncontrols.com/about-us
Controls Designer Jobs by Experience Level
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Find Controls Designer JobsControls Designer Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Food & Beverage
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in controls designer jobs.
- Proficiency in PLC programming using Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or equivalent platforms
- Experience with HMI development tools such as FactoryTalk View or WinCC
- Associate or bachelor's degree in electrical engineering technology or controls engineering
- Knowledge of electrical panel design standards including NEC and UL 508A
- Ability to read and develop P&IDs, electrical schematics, and wiring diagrams
- Familiarity with industrial communication protocols including EtherNet/IP, Modbus, and Profinet
Tips for Your Controls Designer Job Search
Tailor your resume to the PLC platform
Controls designer job listings almost always call out a specific platform, Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Beckhoff. Lead your resume with the exact platform names and firmware versions you have hands-on hours with, not just 'PLC programming' as a generic bullet.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists controls designer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Attach documented project scopes to applications
Hiring managers for controls roles want to see machine types, I/O counts, and communication protocols you have programmed. Add a one-page project summary to your application that lists those specifics rather than leaving reviewers to guess.
Filter openings by industry vertical strategically
Controls designer skills transfer across industries, but terminology shifts. Automotive plants use different ladder logic conventions than pharmaceutical facilities, so target openings in the vertical where your vocabulary and safety standard experience, SIL, GMP, or food-grade, already align with the posting.
Prepare a panel walkthrough for technical interviews
Many controls designer interviews include a live review of a P&ID or a panel layout you have never seen. Practice talking through your diagnostic approach out loud, tracing signal paths from sensor to output, so you can demonstrate structured thinking under time pressure.
Negotiate a site-travel clause before accepting
Controls designer offers frequently include commissioning travel that is not spelled out in the job description. Before you accept, ask the hiring manager for the average weeks on-site per year and whether travel is compensated separately, so the total compensation picture is accurate.
Controls Designer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most controls designers?
Johnson Controls, Sargent & Lundy, and IMEG are hiring the most controls designers right now, with openings concentrated in Texas, Georgia, and Michigan, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is especially strong at system integrators and original equipment manufacturers building automated production lines.
How many controls designer jobs are remote?
About 100% of controls designer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting that much of the role requires hands-on panel builds and on-site commissioning. Software-focused work such as HMI development, simulation programming, and documentation is more likely to allow remote arrangements than field startup and troubleshooting duties.
How do you become a controls designer?
Start by earning an associate or bachelor's degree in electrical engineering technology, mechatronics, or a related field. Build hands-on PLC programming experience through coursework, lab work, or an apprenticeship, then gain exposure to panel design standards and reading electrical schematics. Certifications from automation vendors and practical project experience on real industrial systems accelerate hiring considerably.
How do you get hired as a controls designer with little experience?
Focus on roles labeled controls technician or junior controls engineer, which typically require demonstrated PLC fundamentals over years of professional experience. Build a small project portfolio using simulation software or a low-cost training PLC kit, document the machine type and I/O logic you programmed, and target system integrators, who tend to train candidates with strong fundamentals more than end-user manufacturers do.
What does the controls designer interview process look like?
Most controls designer interviews include an initial phone screen with a recruiter or engineering manager, followed by a technical interview where you walk through past projects, explain your PLC programming approach, and sometimes troubleshoot a sample ladder logic diagram or P&ID. Final rounds often involve a practical exercise or a panel review with senior engineers before an offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to controls designer jobs?
You can find and apply to controls designer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search for roles that match your platform experience and industry background, then apply directly to each listing that fits your skills and location preferences.
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