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 ASML, Eaton, and Tesla. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.

Find Controls Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open roles269+
Top employerASML
Work type50% On-site
Top credentialMaster's degree
Companies hiring9

Showing 5 of 269+ Controls Engineer jobs

ASML
Automation / Controls Engineer
We won't show you this job again
ASML
Added 1d ago
Automation / Controls Engineer
ASML
San Diego, California
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
$115k - $158k/yr
Remote (US)
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Tetra Tech
Instrumentation & Controls Engineer - Austin, TX
We won't show you this job again
Tetra Tech
Added 2d ago
Instrumentation & Controls Engineer - Austin, TX
Tetra Tech
San Diego, California
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
Specialized Engineering
$90k - $120k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor of Science
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

ASML
Senior Controls Engineer
We won't show you this job again
ASML
Added 2w ago
Senior Controls Engineer
ASML
San Diego, California
Business Operations
Program Management
Project Management
$109k - $150k/yr
Master's degree
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

ASML
Senior Automation / Controls Engineer
We won't show you this job again
ASML
Added 2w ago
Senior Automation / Controls Engineer
ASML
San Diego, California
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
Quality Control
$143k - $196k/yr
Remote (US)
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Northrop Grumman
Principal OR Sr. Principal Guidance Navigation Controls Engineer
We won't show you this job again
Northrop Grumman
Added 3w ago
Principal OR Sr. Principal Guidance Navigation Controls Engineer
Northrop Grumman
San Diego, California
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
Technical Program Management
$114k - $213k/yr
Master's degree
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

See All 269+ Controls Engineer Jobs in San Diego

Find roles in San Diego that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Controls Engineer Jobs

Controls Engineer Job Market in San Diego

Who's Hiring

  • ASML
    ASML73
  • Eaton
    Eaton24
  • Tesla
    Tesla24
  • Kiewit
    Kiewit24
  • Tetra Tech
    Tetra Tech24

Top Industries Hiring

  • Energy24
  • Manufacturing24
  • Electronics & Hardware24
  • Construction & Real Estate24
  • Transportation & Logistics24

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 ASML, Eaton, and Tesla and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 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 50% of controls engineer openings tied to San Diego are remote or hybrid as of September 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 Electronics & Hardware, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 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.

See All 269+ Controls Engineer Jobs in San Diego

Find roles in San Diego that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Controls Engineer Jobs