Controls Engineer Jobs in San Francisco, CA
Controls Engineer jobs in San Francisco are in strong demand, concentrated in SoMa, Mission Bay, and the Dogpatch across advanced manufacturing, biotech, and building automation. Employers hiring right now include OpenAI, Mariana Minerals, and Redwood Materials. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find Controls Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 269+ Controls Engineer jobs








About Mariana Minerals
Mariana Minerals is a software-first, vertically integrated minerals company on a mission to supply the critical minerals powering modern energy, AI, and defense technologies. We’re reimagining the minerals supply chain by combining deep industry expertise with advanced software, automation, and data-driven decision-making.
Role Overview
Mariana Minerals is looking for a highly motivated Process Controls Engineer to work on building the critical minerals supply chain.
As a Process Controls Engineer at Mariana Minerals, you will lead the development and deployment of first-of-its-kind chemical refining processes, while also playing a critical role in the development of software for capital project execution and automated plant optimization. Responsibilities will include leading equipment and plant-wide controls infrastructure and programming scopes from concept through to design, installation, commissioning, ramp, and handover to the operations team, and supporting the buildout of an in-house engineering team.
What You’ll Do
Develop standards for controls programming
Lead equipment scopes from concept and modeling validation, through procurement, engineering, fabrication, installation, commissioning, and ramp
Manage external equipment providers, technology licensors, and engineering companies to deliver fully integrated and functional mineral refining scopes
Drive cross-functional teams of lab technicians, pilot plant engineers, process engineers, and project engineers to lead the technical equipment scale-up and de-risk the commercialization of novel mineral refining processes
Support the hiring, mentorship, and day-to-day management of junior process engineers
Develop technoeconomic models of new project opportunities, acquisition targets, and new technologies to inform business development
Prepare and present bankable engineering deliverables to support project financing partners due diligence reviews
Identify, evaluate, and implement process engineering and project management software tools
Identify and support opportunities for the software and machine learning teams to automate capital project execution workflows and develop advanced plant control algorithms
What You’ll Bring
Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals and demonstrated ability to leverage the understanding to solve challenging problems
Experience with equipment engineering and design. Including but not limited to:
Brownfield equipment modifications and upgrades
Greenfield equipment design
Evaluation and optimization of operating equipment
Experience with the following industries and/or production environments:
Industrial manufacturing
Large-scale mining or mineral processing
Large-scale chemical production processes
Engineering, procurement, and construction firms
Experience with direct or indirect leadership of engineers and technicians
Experience with project management and execution of medium to large scale (>$5M) capital projects
Our culture is built on four principles:
Everyone Gets Home Safe. We never put speed or cost ahead of people.
Extreme Ownership. We take full responsibility for outcomes, relentlessly driving toward solutions.
Engineer Out Requirements, then Automate. We simplify, optimize, and then automate for scale.
Share Your Legos. We collaborate openly, share knowledge, and empower each other to build bigger, better solutions.
Join us as we build the future of responsible mineral sourcing and supply!
Compensation Range: $100K - $175K
See All 269+ Controls Engineer Jobs in San Francisco
Find roles in San Francisco that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Controls Engineer JobsControls Engineer Job Market in San Francisco
Who's Hiring
- OpenAI57

- Mariana Minerals57

- Redwood Materials42

- DoorDash28

- Human Computer Lab28H
Top Industries Hiring
- Science & Research42
- Manufacturing28
- Technology & Software14
- Consulting & Professional Services14
Controls Engineer Jobs in San Francisco: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a controls engineer job in San Francisco?
San Francisco controls engineer roles concentrate in biotech and life sciences in Mission Bay, building automation and smart infrastructure in SoMa, and industrial automation in the Dogpatch and Bayview. Employers in these sectors value hands-on PLC and SCADA experience, and familiarity with cleanroom or GMP environments gives candidates a clear edge in the life sciences corridor specifically.
Which companies hire controls engineers in San Francisco?
San Francisco controls engineer roles are posted by OpenAI, Mariana Minerals, and Redwood Materials and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. The local market skews toward biotech firms, commercial real estate operators, and advanced manufacturing outfits, many of which run multi-site operations requiring controls engineers who can work across facilities.
Are there remote controls engineer jobs in San Francisco?
Yes, though controls engineering is largely hands-on, so fully remote roles are limited to design, simulation, and documentation work rather than commissioning or on-site integration. About 37% of controls engineer openings tied to San Francisco are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with hybrid arrangements most common at biotech and building automation employers who need occasional lab or site presence.
How can I get a controls engineer job in San Francisco with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in San Francisco is through facilities or building automation technician roles at commercial real estate firms and hospital systems, which regularly hire junior controls technicians and promote from within. City College of San Francisco offers relevant technical programs, and targeting smaller Mission Bay biotech firms or Dogpatch manufacturers for internships or contract-to-hire roles builds the site-specific experience local employers look for.
Which industries hire the most controls engineers in San Francisco?
San Francisco controls engineer roles concentrate in Science & Research, Manufacturing, and Technology & Software, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. The city's dense biotech campus in Mission Bay, large commercial building stock requiring automated systems, and growing advanced manufacturing presence in the southeastern neighborhoods drive consistent demand for controls engineering talent year-round.
Related Jobs in California
See All 269+ Controls Engineer Jobs in San Francisco
Find roles in San Francisco that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Controls Engineer Jobs