Controls Engineer Jobs in Irvine, CA
Controls Engineer jobs in Irvine, California draw from a deep local base in defense electronics, medical devices, and advanced manufacturing, concentrated in the Irvine Spectrum, Irvine Business Complex, and the industrial corridors near Alton Parkway. Employers active right now include Parker Hannifin, Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies, and Enterprise Automation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Controls Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 279+ Controls Engineer jobs











Position Summary
Parker Hannifin is a Fortune 250 global leader in motion and control technologies. For more than a century, the company has been enabling engineering breakthroughs that lead to a better tomorrow.
At Parker Aerospace, we develop technologies and innovative solutions that enable reliable, efficient and increasingly sustainable flight for the lifecycle of the aircraft, including aftermarket support. Our passionate people with deep engineering expertise, together with our breadth of differentiated technologies, ensure that we make the extraordinary happen and continue to shape the future of aviation in partnership with our customers.
As a member of our team, you are instrumental in fulfilling our mission: 'Enabling Engineering Breakthroughs that Lead to a Better Tomorrow.' Pursuing a career at Parker presents unlimited opportunities for both professional and personal development. Working with some of the most brilliant minds in the industry, your contributions will be pivotal in developing innovative technologies and products, significantly contributing to Parker’s goal of addressing the world’s most pressing engineering challenges. At Parker, our team members belong, matter and make a difference.
Military Flight Controls Division Supporting aircraft worldwide, Parker Aerospace’s Military Flight Controls Division (MFCD) provides primary and secondary flight control systems that make flight possible. Tested, proven and trusted in commercial and military applications for decades, MFCD provides precise position-control actuation solutions for military aircraft across the United States and with foreign partners. The division’s JetPipe® electrohydraulic servovalve (EHSV) technology is used across commercial and military aircraft around the world. Headquartered in Irvine, California, the Military Flight Controls Division is the global leader in fly-by-wire flight control systems and electrohydraulic products and offers the world's most advanced motor design capabilities for flight controls.
Start your journey with Parker and shape a better tomorrow! We're looking for inquisitive thinkers and resourceful problem solvers who are looking to grow with us. As an Engineering intern you will gain valuable hands-on experience and broaden your understanding of manufacturing operations and/or product design while learning from engineering professionals and building your professional network. Our Engineering internships are designed to stretch students professionally and help them gain foundational skills that serve as a strong pathway to full-time opportunities. Throughout the internship, you will have opportunities to explore career options and learn about applying for the Parker Engineering Leadership Development Program and other available direct-hire engineering roles.
Position Summary:
Location: Parker Hannifin Corporation - Military Flight Controls Division - 14300 Alton Pkwy Irvine, CA 92618
Timeframe: Summer 2027
Engineering internships may include work in the following areas:
Research and Development
- Support technology assessments, design of experiments, additive manufacturing, automation, and product development initiatives
- Contribute to projects across the product lifecycle, from concept to production
Product Design
- Involvement in design and development of components and systems
- Design, create and prototype new components or modifications of existing products
Testing
- Learn to operate testing equipment, evaluate findings, analyze data and prepare reports
Manufacturing
- Partner with manufacturing teams to understand production processes and provide engineering support
- Support process improvement, technology advancement, and product launches
Qualifications:
- Actively pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Engineering is required. Examples include but are not limited to: Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Engineering, and Electrical Engineering. Engineering Technology degrees will not be considered for this role.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Requires completion of engineering coursework
- Excellent problem-solving skills
- Professional demeanor with excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
- Active listener, displays genuine curiosity and maintains a growth mindset
- Adaptable, collaborative and willing to participate in a variety of engineering assignments
- Enthusiastic while working through challenges and making progress on open-ended assignments
- Innovative, possessing skills necessary to investigate and research new topics
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications; Experience with engineering tools is preferred
- Campus leadership experience is preferred
- Experience working on team-based projects or in a manufacturing, engineering or operation environment is preferred
Pay, Benefits, Work Schedule
Competitive Compensation
- Pay Range: $20.94/hr to $34.89/hr
- No benefit plan eligibility
Equal Employment Opportunity
Additional Comments:
The essential functions have been provided as example of the type of work performed by employees assigned to this job classification. The company reserves the right to modify the work assignments and/or to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions. The job description is not intended to be an inclusive list of duties and responsibilities. It is intended to describe the general nature of the position.
Parker is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Parker is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job related reasons regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. However, U.S. Citizenship, Permanent Residency or other appropriate status is required for certain positions, in accord with U.S. import & export regulations.
(“Minority / Female / Disability / Veteran / VEVRAA Federal Contractor”)
If you would like more information about Equal Employment Opportunity as an applicant under the law, please go to Employees & Job Applicants | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Drug Tests
Drug-Free Workplace
In accordance with Parker’s policies and applicable state laws, Parker provides for a drug-free workplace. Therefore, all applicants seeking employment with Parker will be subject to drug testing as a condition of employment.
See All 279+ Controls Engineer Jobs in Irvine
Find roles in Irvine that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Controls Engineer JobsControls Engineer Job Market in Irvine
Who's Hiring
- Parker Hannifin112

- Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies84

- Enterprise Automation56

- Kiewit14

- Tetra Tech14

Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
- Transportation & Logistics
Controls Engineer Jobs in Irvine: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a controls engineer job in Irvine?
Focus your search on Irvine's defense contractors, medical device manufacturers, and semiconductor firms, which consistently post controls engineering roles in the Irvine Spectrum and Irvine Business Complex. Hands-on PLC and SCADA experience translates directly in these sectors. Candidates who hold a PE license or have experience with FDA-regulated or MIL-SPEC environments stand out with local employers more than a general applicant pool would suggest.
Which companies hire controls engineers in Irvine?
Irvine controls engineer roles are posted by Parker Hannifin, Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies, and Enterprise Automation and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Irvine's employer mix skews toward established defense primes, medtech OEMs, and precision automation firms with permanent facilities rather than project-based contractors.
Are there remote controls engineer jobs in Irvine?
Yes, but only in specific functions. Controls engineering is largely hands-on, so fully remote roles are uncommon. About 86% of controls engineer openings tied to Irvine are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, typically covering design, simulation, or programming phases rather than commissioning or on-site integration work. Irvine's medtech and semiconductor employers most often offer hybrid arrangements for engineers in the design and validation stages.
How can I get a controls engineer job in Irvine with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Irvine is through a technician or automation associate role at one of the city's medical device or defense manufacturing facilities, which frequently promote from within once you demonstrate hands-on PLC proficiency. UC Irvine and local community colleges offer relevant coursework that Irvine employers recognize. Building a portfolio around ladder logic projects or motion control simulations and targeting smaller Irvine automation integrators for a first role gives early-career candidates a concrete foothold.
Which industries hire the most controls engineers in Irvine?
Most controls engineer openings in Irvine sit in Construction & Real Estate and Transportation & Logistics, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Irvine's concentration of FDA-regulated manufacturers, defense electronics primes, and semiconductor equipment companies creates sustained demand for controls talent tied to compliance-driven production environments.
Related Jobs in California
See All 279+ Controls Engineer Jobs in Irvine
Find roles in Irvine that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Controls Engineer Jobs