Controls Engineer Jobs in Los Angeles, CA
Controls Engineer jobs in Los Angeles are in strong demand, concentrated in the South Bay industrial corridor, the El Segundo aerospace cluster, and the San Fernando Valley's advanced manufacturing belt, across aerospace and defense, entertainment technology, and industrial automation. Employers hiring right now include K2 Space, CHAOS Industries, and Horizon Surgical Systems. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
Find Controls Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 248+ Controls Engineer jobs
Are you ready to be part of a company that's not just talking about the future, but actively shaping it? Join The AES Corporation, the largest US-based global power company with a team of 8,300 employees across 12 countries.
AES has been ranked #1 by BloombergNEF in renewable energy sales to corporations in the US and Americas for five consecutive years, providing electricity for millions of people worldwide.
We are proud to foster a strong workplace culture, earning prominent positions in Great Place to Work™ rankings across the markets where we operate. AES was also named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the 13th consecutive year in 2026, highlighting our dedication to integrity, transparency, and responsible business practices.
Our spirit of innovation continues to earn industry recognition. AES is the only seven-time winner of the Edison Electric Institute’s Edison Awards in the twenty-first century, a distinction honoring global leadership in advancing the electric power industry.
If you're ready to be part of a company that's not just adapting to change, but driving it, AES is the place for you. We're not just building a more sustainable future, we're powering it. Apply now and energize your career with a true leader in global energy.
Position Summary
The Senior Controls Engineer will lead the design, testing, commissioning, and continuous improvement of plant-level control systems for utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects.
This role provides technical leadership for Power Plant Controller (PPC), Energy Management System (EMS), and supervisory control solutions that support safe, reliable, and compliant plant operations. The position partners closely with internal teams, OEMs, EPCs, and operations stakeholders to define control strategies, evaluate designs, and support successful project execution from design through commercial operation.
The ideal candidate brings strong experience with renewable energy controls, technical problem solving, and cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced project environment.
We are open to considering U.S. remote-based candidates, preferably located in the Pacific (PST) time zone.
Key Responsibilities
Control Strategy Development and Implementation
Design, develop, and maintain plant-level control logic for utility-scale solar PV and BESS facilities, including PPC, EMS, and supervisory control systems.
Develop control strategies for active power control (APC), reactive power control (RPC), frequency response, voltage regulation, ramp rate limiting, and state-of-charge (SOC) management for hybrid solar and storage facilities, ensuring performance under expected grid operating conditions.
Develop control logic in IEC-61131-3 environments such as Codesys, AcSELerator, Beckhoff TwinCAT, or equivalent platforms.
Review OEM and EPC-supplied control strategies and design documentation, identify gaps and risks, and provide recommendations that support successful commissioning and long-term operational performance.
Define and support control interfaces for inverter OEMs and BESS vendors, including protocols such as Modbus, DNP3, and IEC 61850.
Controller Modeling and Validation
Develop and review dynamic controller models in PSS/E to support interconnection and controls validation activities.
Support EMT modeling and validation activities in PSCAD/EMTDC to identify and resolve control design issues before field implementation.
Support NERC MOD-026 and MOD-027 submissions and respond to ISO/RTO model review comments alongside the power systems team.
Testing, Commissioning, and Issue Resolution
Develop structured test plans for new control features and product releases, with clear acceptance criteria and documented pass/fail expectations.
Support HIL testing environments (RTDS, OPAL-RT, or equivalent) for controller validation before hardware ever touches a real plant.
Lead or support factory and site acceptance testing (FAT/SAT), including setpoint verification, alarm and trip logic validation, and SCADA communications checkout, while escalating issues and driving resolution as needed.
Support root cause analysis and corrective action development for post-commercial-operation issues, ensuring lessons learned are incorporated into future designs and processes.
Technical Standards and Documentation
Ensure control designs comply with applicable standards, including IEEE 1547, IEEE 2800, relevant NERC requirements, and project interconnection obligations.
Develop clear and complete documentation, including functional specifications, logic descriptions, I/O lists, test procedures, and commissioning reports that support consistency, maintainability, and knowledge transfer.
Stay current on evolving inverter-based resource grid code requirements and apply those insights to engineering standards and project delivery.
Cross-Functional Collaboration and Technical Leadership
Partner with project development, engineering, and construction teams to support equipment selection, vendor evaluation, and early identification of controls-related risks.
Collaborate with SCADA, commissioning, and operations teams to support reliable plant performance through startup and ongoing operations.
Provide technical guidance to less-experienced engineers through knowledge sharing, design review, and coaching to support team capability and quality outcomes.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a closely related field required.
Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience may be considered in accordance with company policy and business needs.
Experience
5+ years of controls engineering experience, including work with utility-scale solar PV and/or BESS facilities.
Experience developing control strategies for grid-connected renewable energy assets.
Experience reviewing OEM or EPC control submissions and functional design documents, and providing substantive technical feedback.
Working knowledge of PSS/E or PSCAD for controller-level modeling and validation.
Hands-on experience with PPC or EMS commissioning and acceptance testing for utility-scale renewable projects.
Technical Skills
IEC-61131-3 control logic development in Codesys, AcSELerator, Beckhoff TwinCAT, or equivalent PLC-based environments.
Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills, with the ability to trace issues through software, controls interfaces, and system behavior.
Working knowledge of PSS/E and/or PSCAD at the controller level.
Communication protocols: Modbus TCP/RTU, DNP3, IEC 61850 (GOOSE/MMS), SunSpec.
SCADA/historian familiarity: PI Historian, OSIsoft, or equivalent.
Python or MATLAB/Simulink for control analysis, test automation, or data evaluation.
Standards Knowledge
IEEE 1547-2018 and IEEE 2800-2022 interconnection requirements for inverter-based resources.
NERC MOD-026, MOD-027, and PRC-024 familiarity.
General awareness of UL 9540 / UL 9540A for BESS systems.
Preferred Qualifications
HIL testing experience with RTDS/RSCAD, OPAL-RT, or Speedgoat
MATLAB/Simulink for control modeling or algorithm prototyping
BESS dispatch optimization, degradation-aware SOC management, or demand response control strategies
Experience with Emerson Ovation, ABB Ability, or Schweitzer SEL platforms in renewable energy applications
Working knowledge of interconnection processes at ERCOT, CAISO, MISO, PJM, or WECC as they relate to controls and model submissions
Familiarity with OT/ICS cybersecurity frameworks (IEC 62443, NERC CIP basics)
Professional Engineer (PE) license
Are you ready to be part of a company that's not just talking about the future, but actively shaping it? Join The AES Corporation, the largest US-based global power company with a team of 8,300 employees across 12 countries.
AES has been ranked #1 by BloombergNEF in renewable energy sales to corporations in the US and Americas for five consecutive years, providing electricity for millions of people worldwide.
We are proud to foster a strong workplace culture, earning prominent positions in Great Place to Work™ rankings across the markets where we operate. AES was also named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the 13th consecutive year in 2026, highlighting our dedication to integrity, transparency, and responsible business practices.
Our spirit of innovation continues to earn industry recognition. AES is the only seven-time winner of the Edison Electric Institute’s Edison Awards in the twenty-first century, a distinction honoring global leadership in advancing the electric power industry.
If you're ready to be part of a company that's not just adapting to change, but driving it, AES is the place for you. We're not just building a more sustainable future, we're powering it. Apply now and energize your career with a true leader in global energy.
Position Summary
The Senior Controls Engineer will lead the design, testing, commissioning, and continuous improvement of plant-level control systems for utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects.
This role provides technical leadership for Power Plant Controller (PPC), Energy Management System (EMS), and supervisory control solutions that support safe, reliable, and compliant plant operations. The position partners closely with internal teams, OEMs, EPCs, and operations stakeholders to define control strategies, evaluate designs, and support successful project execution from design through commercial operation.
The ideal candidate brings strong experience with renewable energy controls, technical problem solving, and cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced project environment.
We are open to considering U.S. remote-based candidates, preferably located in the Pacific (PST) time zone.
Key Responsibilities
Control Strategy Development and Implementation
Design, develop, and maintain plant-level control logic for utility-scale solar PV and BESS facilities, including PPC, EMS, and supervisory control systems.
Develop control strategies for active power control (APC), reactive power control (RPC), frequency response, voltage regulation, ramp rate limiting, and state-of-charge (SOC) management for hybrid solar and storage facilities, ensuring performance under expected grid operating conditions.
Develop control logic in IEC-61131-3 environments such as Codesys, AcSELerator, Beckhoff TwinCAT, or equivalent platforms.
Review OEM and EPC-supplied control strategies and design documentation, identify gaps and risks, and provide recommendations that support successful commissioning and long-term operational performance.
Define and support control interfaces for inverter OEMs and BESS vendors, including protocols such as Modbus, DNP3, and IEC 61850.
Controller Modeling and Validation
Develop and review dynamic controller models in PSS/E to support interconnection and controls validation activities.
Support EMT modeling and validation activities in PSCAD/EMTDC to identify and resolve control design issues before field implementation.
Support NERC MOD-026 and MOD-027 submissions and respond to ISO/RTO model review comments alongside the power systems team.
Testing, Commissioning, and Issue Resolution
Develop structured test plans for new control features and product releases, with clear acceptance criteria and documented pass/fail expectations.
Support HIL testing environments (RTDS, OPAL-RT, or equivalent) for controller validation before hardware ever touches a real plant.
Lead or support factory and site acceptance testing (FAT/SAT), including setpoint verification, alarm and trip logic validation, and SCADA communications checkout, while escalating issues and driving resolution as needed.
Support root cause analysis and corrective action development for post-commercial-operation issues, ensuring lessons learned are incorporated into future designs and processes.
Technical Standards and Documentation
Ensure control designs comply with applicable standards, including IEEE 1547, IEEE 2800, relevant NERC requirements, and project interconnection obligations.
Develop clear and complete documentation, including functional specifications, logic descriptions, I/O lists, test procedures, and commissioning reports that support consistency, maintainability, and knowledge transfer.
Stay current on evolving inverter-based resource grid code requirements and apply those insights to engineering standards and project delivery.
Cross-Functional Collaboration and Technical Leadership
Partner with project development, engineering, and construction teams to support equipment selection, vendor evaluation, and early identification of controls-related risks.
Collaborate with SCADA, commissioning, and operations teams to support reliable plant performance through startup and ongoing operations.
Provide technical guidance to less-experienced engineers through knowledge sharing, design review, and coaching to support team capability and quality outcomes.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a closely related field required.
Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience may be considered in accordance with company policy and business needs.
Experience
5+ years of controls engineering experience, including work with utility-scale solar PV and/or BESS facilities.
Experience developing control strategies for grid-connected renewable energy assets.
Experience reviewing OEM or EPC control submissions and functional design documents, and providing substantive technical feedback.
Working knowledge of PSS/E or PSCAD for controller-level modeling and validation.
Hands-on experience with PPC or EMS commissioning and acceptance testing for utility-scale renewable projects.
Technical Skills
IEC-61131-3 control logic development in Codesys, AcSELerator, Beckhoff TwinCAT, or equivalent PLC-based environments.
Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills, with the ability to trace issues through software, controls interfaces, and system behavior.
Working knowledge of PSS/E and/or PSCAD at the controller level.
Communication protocols: Modbus TCP/RTU, DNP3, IEC 61850 (GOOSE/MMS), SunSpec.
SCADA/historian familiarity: PI Historian, OSIsoft, or equivalent.
Python or MATLAB/Simulink for control analysis, test automation, or data evaluation.
Standards Knowledge
IEEE 1547-2018 and IEEE 2800-2022 interconnection requirements for inverter-based resources.
NERC MOD-026, MOD-027, and PRC-024 familiarity.
General awareness of UL 9540 / UL 9540A for BESS systems.
Preferred Qualifications
HIL testing experience with RTDS/RSCAD, OPAL-RT, or Speedgoat
MATLAB/Simulink for control modeling or algorithm prototyping
BESS dispatch optimization, degradation-aware SOC management, or demand response control strategies
Experience with Emerson Ovation, ABB Ability, or Schweitzer SEL platforms in renewable energy applications
Working knowledge of interconnection processes at ERCOT, CAISO, MISO, PJM, or WECC as they relate to controls and model submissions
Familiarity with OT/ICS cybersecurity frameworks (IEC 62443, NERC CIP basics)
Professional Engineer (PE) license
See All 248+ Controls Engineer Jobs in Los Angeles
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Find Controls Engineer JobsControls Engineer Job Market in Los Angeles
Who's Hiring
- K2 Space62
- CHAOS Industries41
- Horizon Surgical Systems41
- WSP21
- DLR21
Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
Controls Engineer Jobs in Los Angeles: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a controls engineer job in Los Angeles?
Focus your search on Los Angeles's aerospace and defense contractors in El Segundo and Torrance, entertainment technology companies near Burbank and Hollywood, and the food and beverage manufacturers concentrated in the Vernon and Commerce industrial zones. Hands-on experience with PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA systems is the baseline expectation. Candidates who can point to Siemens, Allen-Bradley, or Rockwell platforms and hold a relevant engineering degree move fastest through hiring pipelines in this market.
Which companies hire controls engineers in Los Angeles?
Employers hiring controls engineers in Los Angeles right now include K2 Space, CHAOS Industries, and Horizon Surgical Systems, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. The hiring mix in Los Angeles leans heavily toward aerospace primes and their Tier 1 suppliers, large-scale entertainment and media infrastructure operators, and mid-size industrial manufacturers with facilities in the South Bay and eastern Los Angeles County.
Are there remote controls engineer jobs in Los Angeles?
Yes, though controls engineering is a hands-on discipline and fully remote roles are the exception rather than the rule. About 29% of controls engineer openings tied to Los Angeles are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those tend to be concentrated in the design, programming, and project management phases of automation work rather than commissioning or on-site integration roles.
How can I get a controls engineer job in Los Angeles with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Los Angeles is through a junior automation or electrical engineering role with one of the region's many Tier 2 aerospace suppliers or food and beverage manufacturers in Vernon, Gardena, or Carson, who regularly hire recent graduates for commissioning support and controls technician positions. Internships with Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, or similar primes during a Cal Poly Pomona or CSULB engineering program also convert into full-time offers at a higher rate than cold applications.
Which industries hire the most controls engineers in Los Angeles?
The sectors hiring the most controls engineers in Los Angeles are Construction & Real Estate, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Los Angeles's concentration of aerospace primes, a dense belt of food and consumer goods manufacturers in the eastern industrial corridor, and growing investment in utility-scale water and energy infrastructure all sustain consistent demand for controls talent in the region.
Related Jobs in California
See All 248+ Controls Engineer Jobs in Los Angeles
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