Controls Engineer Jobs in San Diego, CA
Controls Engineer jobs in San Diego are concentrated in defense and aerospace, biomedical devices, and advanced manufacturing, with the heaviest hiring in Sorrento Valley, Kearny Mesa, and the Torrey Pines corridor. Employers actively posting right now include Solar Turbines, SAIC, and Eaton. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 249+ Controls Engineer jobs
Job ID: 2614571
Location: San Diego, CA, US
Date Posted: 2026-07-15
Category: Engineering and Sciences
Subcategory: Mechanical Engr
Schedule: Full-Time
Shift: Day Job
Travel: Yes - 10% of the time
Minimum Clearance Required: Secret
Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: None
Potential for Remote Work: ORA_ON_SITE
Description
We are looking for a hands-on Controls and Systems Integration Engineer to support advanced unmanned maritime systems programs for the U.S. Navy in San Diego, CA.
This is a practical, systems-level engineering role for someone who enjoys making complex electromechanical systems work in the real world. You will work across vehicle controls, embedded and networked systems, power distribution, sensors, autonomy support, and field operations — often within the same day.
The ideal candidate is technically broad, comfortable bridging software and hardware, and brings enough hands-on experience to contribute quickly. You don't need to be an expert in every subsystem, but you should be the kind of engineer who can dig into a problem, read the documentation, inspect the wiring, check the network traffic, write a test script, and keep working until the system makes sense.
This is an ON-SITE role in San Diego, CA. Travel: Occasional field tests, sea trials, and shipboard events as needed
JOB DUTIES:
- Integrate, test, and troubleshoot control systems for unmanned maritime vehicles and their subsystems — including propulsion, steering, power management, and payloads
- Write and modify Python and C/C++ code for controls, hardware integration, test automation, and data logging
- Work with Linux-based systems, networked devices, serial and CAN bus hardware, and embedded computers
- Support integration and troubleshooting of vehicle networks involving PLCs, HMIs, navigation sensors, cameras, and control computers
- Assist with electrical troubleshooting across DC and AC power systems, including propulsion drives, battery systems, and power distribution
- Plan and execute bench, dockside, and field tests; document results and support anomaly resolution
- Support government test events, sea trials, and operational demonstrations
- Work directly with engineers, technicians, operators, and government customers to solve problems quickly and safely
Qualifications
REQUIREMENTS:
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, Controls, or a related technical discipline and five (5) years or more related experience.
Clearance:
- Must be a U.S. Citizen.
- Must have an Active Secret Clearance to start.
Experience:
- Hands-on experience with controls, robotics, automation, embedded systems, or complex electromechanical equipment
- Working knowledge of Python and familiarity with C/C++
- Experience working in a Linux environment
- Familiarity with autonomous systems or robotic platforms — whether through coursework, research, or professional experience
- Ability to troubleshoot problems that span software, electronics, and hardware in a lab or field environment
- Ability to read schematics, wiring diagrams, and network diagrams
DESIRED SKILLS:
- Experience with unmanned systems — UUVs, USVs, AUVs, ROVs, sUAS, or autonomous ground vehicles
- Familiarity with ROS or other robotics/autonomy middleware
- Experience with PLCs, CAN bus, or industrial communication protocols
- Exposure to marine electronics, navigation sensors, or networked vehicle systems
- Experience with power systems — batteries, inverters, generators, or electric propulsion
Job ID: 2614571
Location: San Diego, CA, US
Date Posted: 2026-07-15
Category: Engineering and Sciences
Subcategory: Mechanical Engr
Schedule: Full-Time
Shift: Day Job
Travel: Yes - 10% of the time
Minimum Clearance Required: Secret
Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: None
Potential for Remote Work: ORA_ON_SITE
Description
We are looking for a hands-on Controls and Systems Integration Engineer to support advanced unmanned maritime systems programs for the U.S. Navy in San Diego, CA.
This is a practical, systems-level engineering role for someone who enjoys making complex electromechanical systems work in the real world. You will work across vehicle controls, embedded and networked systems, power distribution, sensors, autonomy support, and field operations — often within the same day.
The ideal candidate is technically broad, comfortable bridging software and hardware, and brings enough hands-on experience to contribute quickly. You don't need to be an expert in every subsystem, but you should be the kind of engineer who can dig into a problem, read the documentation, inspect the wiring, check the network traffic, write a test script, and keep working until the system makes sense.
This is an ON-SITE role in San Diego, CA. Travel: Occasional field tests, sea trials, and shipboard events as needed
JOB DUTIES:
- Integrate, test, and troubleshoot control systems for unmanned maritime vehicles and their subsystems — including propulsion, steering, power management, and payloads
- Write and modify Python and C/C++ code for controls, hardware integration, test automation, and data logging
- Work with Linux-based systems, networked devices, serial and CAN bus hardware, and embedded computers
- Support integration and troubleshooting of vehicle networks involving PLCs, HMIs, navigation sensors, cameras, and control computers
- Assist with electrical troubleshooting across DC and AC power systems, including propulsion drives, battery systems, and power distribution
- Plan and execute bench, dockside, and field tests; document results and support anomaly resolution
- Support government test events, sea trials, and operational demonstrations
- Work directly with engineers, technicians, operators, and government customers to solve problems quickly and safely
Qualifications
REQUIREMENTS:
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, Controls, or a related technical discipline and five (5) years or more related experience.
Clearance:
- Must be a U.S. Citizen.
- Must have an Active Secret Clearance to start.
Experience:
- Hands-on experience with controls, robotics, automation, embedded systems, or complex electromechanical equipment
- Working knowledge of Python and familiarity with C/C++
- Experience working in a Linux environment
- Familiarity with autonomous systems or robotic platforms — whether through coursework, research, or professional experience
- Ability to troubleshoot problems that span software, electronics, and hardware in a lab or field environment
- Ability to read schematics, wiring diagrams, and network diagrams
DESIRED SKILLS:
- Experience with unmanned systems — UUVs, USVs, AUVs, ROVs, sUAS, or autonomous ground vehicles
- Familiarity with ROS or other robotics/autonomy middleware
- Experience with PLCs, CAN bus, or industrial communication protocols
- Exposure to marine electronics, navigation sensors, or networked vehicle systems
- Experience with power systems — batteries, inverters, generators, or electric propulsion
See All 249+ Controls Engineer Jobs in San Diego
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Find Controls Engineer JobsControls Engineer Job Market in San Diego
Who's Hiring
- Solar Turbines50
- SAIC25
- Eaton25
- Tesla25
- Kiewit25
Top Industries Hiring
- Energy25
- Manufacturing25
- Technology & Software25
- Electronics & Hardware25
- Construction & Real Estate25
Controls Engineer Jobs in San Diego: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a controls engineer job in San Diego?
Target San Diego's defense primes, contract manufacturers, and medical device companies first, as they post the most controls engineer openings locally. Roles cluster in Kearny Mesa, Sorrento Valley, and the Miramar industrial corridor, so focusing your search on those zip codes narrows the field quickly. Hands-on experience with PLCs, motion control, or robotics stands out in San Diego's hardware-heavy hiring market, and familiarity with defense-adjacent compliance requirements gives candidates a clear edge over generalists.
Which companies hire controls engineers in San Diego?
San Diego controls engineer roles are posted by Solar Turbines, SAIC, and Eaton and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. The local employer mix skews toward defense contractors, medical device manufacturers, and precision industrial firms with engineering campuses throughout the Kearny Mesa and Sorrento Valley business parks.
Are there remote controls engineer jobs in San Diego?
Yes, but only for certain functions, since controls engineering is largely hands-on work tied to physical equipment and production floors. About 0% of controls engineer openings tied to San Diego are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, mostly in system design, software configuration, and project coordination roles. The on-site requirement is especially firm at San Diego's defense and manufacturing facilities where classified environments or production floor access is required.
How can I get a controls engineer job in San Diego with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in San Diego is through contract or junior engineering roles at mid-size manufacturers in Kearny Mesa or Otay Ranch, where teams are small enough to bring on candidates who show strong fundamentals. Internships with San Diego's defense and biotech-adjacent hardware firms, or technician roles that expose you to PLC programming and motion systems, build the hands-on portfolio local hiring managers look for. A degree in electrical, mechanical, or mechatronics engineering from a San Diego-area institution also carries real local recognition.
Which industries hire the most controls engineers in San Diego?
San Diego controls engineer roles concentrate in Energy, Manufacturing, and Technology & Software, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. San Diego's deep presence in defense systems, precision medical devices, and contract electronics manufacturing means sustained demand for engineers who can design, program, and maintain automated control systems at scale.
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See All 249+ Controls Engineer Jobs in San Diego
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