Controls Engineer Jobs
Controls Engineer jobs are open across manufacturing, automotive, food and beverage, oil and gas, and utilities, from entry-level to senior and principal, with specializations in PLC programming, SCADA systems, and process automation. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Senior Controls Engineer - PLC/SCADA Consultant (Contract | Part-Time) Job Overview
We are seeking an experienced Senior Controls Engineer to provide contract consulting services for industrial automation projects throughout South Central Florida.
This is a part-time contract position with flexible scheduling. Qualified candidates will support the design, development, integration, testing, commissioning, and startup of PLC and HMI control systems for industrial facilities.
The ideal candidate is an independent contractor operating through their own Florida business entity and carrying at least 1 million each for general liability and commercial auto liability insurance and have Worker's Compensation or an exemption.
Compensation: Hourly rate based on experience.
Job Type:
- Contract
- Part-time
- Temporary
Work Location:
Project-based throughout South Central Florida with future remote opportunities based on project requirements.
Responsibilities
- Develop PLC programs for industrial control systems.
- Design, configure, and troubleshoot PLC and HMI applications.
- Interpret P&IDs, electrical schematics, one-line diagrams, and control drawings.
- Configure and integrate instrumentation, VFDs, analyzers, and third-party equipment.
- Configure and troubleshoot industrial Ethernet networks and communication protocols.
- Perform field commissioning, startup, testing, and troubleshooting.
- Conduct instrument calibration, loop checks, and field verification.
- Review vendor submittals and equipment documentation.
- Resolve PLC, HMI, instrumentation, communications, and control system issues.
- Develop and improve automation standards and programming standards.
- Provide technical guidance during project execution.
- Support startup and commissioning activities at customer facilities.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering with 10+ years of industrial automation experience
OR
- 20+ years of demonstrated experience in industrial controls, automation, PLC programming, and SCADA systems.
Must possess experience with:
- PLC Programming
- HMI Development
- Industrial Automation
- Industrial Control Systems
- Process Instrumentation
- Industrial Networking
- Commissioning
- Startup
- Field Service
- Control System Troubleshooting
Preferred Technical Experience
Experience with one or more of the following:
- CTI PLCs
- Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley PLCs
- Studio 5000
- FactoryTalk
- Proficy iFIX
- VTScada
- Ethernet/IP
- Modbus TCP
- Industrial Ethernet Networks
- Historian Systems
- Data Trending
- Industrial Cybersecurity (OT)
- Water/Wastewater Control Systems (required)
Preferred Skills
- Strong troubleshooting and analytical abilities
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- Excellent communication and documentation skills
- Ability to travel to customer sites throughout South Central Florida
- Comfortable working in industrial environments and during system startups
Requirements
- Valid driver's license
- Reliable transportation
- Ability to travel to project sites
- Ability to pass customer-required background checks if required
- Independent contractor operating through a registered Florida business
- General liability insurance
- Commercial auto liability insurance
- Workman’s Compensation Insurance or an exemption
Work Location: On the road
Controls Engineer Jobs by Experience Level
Top Cities Hiring Controls Engineers
Explore controls engineer openings in the cities hiring most right now.
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Find Controls Engineer JobsControls Engineer Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Tesla55
- Amazon46
- Sargent & Lundy36
- Blue Origin34
- Aegis Project Controls31
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services122
- Manufacturing72
- Technology & Software58
- Automotive43
- Construction & Real Estate41
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in controls engineer jobs.
- Experience programming PLCs such as Allen-Bradley or Siemens in an industrial environment
- Proficiency with SCADA or HMI platforms including Wonderware, iFIX, or Ignition
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, controls engineering, or a related field
- Familiarity with industrial communication protocols such as Ethernet/IP, Modbus, or PROFIBUS
- Experience with control panel design, wiring diagrams, and AutoCAD Electrical
- Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, electrical schematics, and instrumentation drawings
Tips for Your Controls Engineer Job Search
Tailor your resume to the control system
List the specific PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA platforms you've programmed by brand and version. Hiring managers scan for Siemens, Allen-Bradley, and Ignition by name, so generic phrases like 'industrial automation experience' won't get you past the initial screen.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists controls engineer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Filter openings by industry vertical
PLC logic for a bottling line differs significantly from DCS programming in a refinery. Search by industry keyword alongside job title so you target roles where your existing domain knowledge transfers directly and reduces your ramp-up time.
Quantify commissioning and startup experience
Recruiters value hands-on commissioning history, so state the number of systems you've brought online, the scale of each project, and whether you led FAT or SAT testing. Vague phrases like 'participated in commissioning' undersell this experience significantly.
Prepare a technical walkthrough for interviews
Most controls engineer interviews include a whiteboard or verbal walkthrough of a system you've designed or debugged. Choose one project where you can explain the I/O architecture, control logic decisions, and how you resolved a fault or design gap under pressure.
Negotiate relocation terms before you accept
Many controls engineer roles require on-site presence at manufacturing facilities far from metro areas. Clarify travel expectations, relocation assistance, and per diem policies during the offer stage, not after you've already accepted the position.
Controls Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most controls engineers?
The companies hiring the most controls engineers right now include Tesla, Amazon, and Sargent & Lundy, with the largest share of openings in California, Texas, and Michigan, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Demand is consistently strong in automotive, food and beverage manufacturing, and oil and gas.
How many controls engineer jobs are remote?
About 30% of controls engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most automation roles. Software-focused positions in SCADA development, controls system architecture, and PLC programming support tend to offer the most flexibility compared to field commissioning or plant-floor roles.
How do you become a controls engineer?
Most controls engineers start with a bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or systems engineering, then build hands-on PLC and HMI programming skills through internships, co-ops, or entry-level automation technician roles. Earning a platform-specific certification from Rockwell Automation or Siemens strengthens your candidacy. From there, progressing into full project ownership, commissioning work, and cross-discipline collaboration moves you into senior and lead roles.
How do you get hired as a controls engineer with little experience?
Target entry-level automation technician or junior controls roles where the employer expects to train on proprietary systems. Build a home lab with a low-cost PLC, document a small project on GitHub or a personal site, and highlight any coursework involving ladder logic, instrumentation, or electrical schematics. Internships at manufacturing or utilities companies convert to full-time offers frequently in this field.
What does the controls engineer interview process look like?
Most hiring processes include an initial phone or video screen focused on your technical background, followed by a deeper technical interview where you walk through a system you've designed or debugged. Some employers add a practical exercise such as reviewing a ladder logic diagram or a P&ID. Final rounds often involve meeting the engineering team and, for senior roles, discussing project management and cross-functional coordination experience.
Where can I find and apply to controls engineer jobs?
You can find and apply to controls engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience, platform background, and preferred industry, then apply directly to each one that fits.
See All 2,398+ Controls Engineer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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