Controls Engineer Jobs in New Jersey
Controls Engineer jobs in New Jersey are in strong demand, with active hiring concentrated in pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing, defense and aerospace systems, and industrial automation across a market that runs from entry-level technician roles through senior process controls specialists. The heaviest hiring is centered in and around Newark, Parsippany, and Princeton, where anchors like Johnson & Johnson, Honeywell, and L3Harris maintain significant engineering operations. The most consistently sought specialties are PLC and SCADA programming, process control for regulated manufacturing, and systems integration for automated production lines. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 26+ Controls Engineer jobs
This position will support the design, development, testing and operational phases of projects undertaken at PPPL. It will require the successful candidate to work closely with scientific and other engineering and technical staff to develop novel solutions in support of such projects.
A U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratory managed by Princeton University, the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is tackling the world’s toughest science and technology challenges using plasma, the fourth state of matter. With more than 70 years of history, PPPL is a leader in the science and engineering behind the development of fusion energy, a potentially limitless energy source. PPPL is also using its expertise to advance research in the areas of microelectronics, quantum sensors and devices, and sustainability sciences. Whether it be through science, engineering, technology or professional services, every team member has an opportunity to contribute to our mission and vision. Come join us!
This role includes hands-on work to test systems, diagnose failures and render repairs if needed.
The percent breakdown across various duties is:
- Design, Maintain and Support instrumentation and control systems: 60%
- Daily operation and maintenance of Control and Monitoring Systems: 15%
- Develop Diagrams, Drawings and Documentation for systems developed: 10%
- Apply controls theory to refine and improve the design of legacy and new systems: 15%
- Electrical Engineering
- Computer Engineering or related discipline.
They must be a team player with the ability to communicate ideas effectively to others with varying levels of technical skills and work with a diverse set of scientists, engineers and technical staff with varying backgrounds. They communicate designs through presentations and are comfortable providing material for reviews.
The successful candidate will have experience with the following:
- Hardware interfacing and control, including signal conditioning.
- PLC device families including Allen-Bradley, Siemens in new and legacy systems.
- Creation and interpretation of PLC programs in Limited-Variability-Language (LVL), e.g. ladder logic, function block diagram, and sequential function chart.
- Development of operator HMIs including screens, alarm servers, and data historians.
- Application of controls theory on the design and tuning of fast and slow systems.
- Software version control and configuration management.
- Communication protocols such as TCP, UDP, Modbus, OPC.
- Requirements definition, creation of hardware and software design documents, test design and system integration.
- Safety Systems design, programming, and maintenance per IEC-61511/61508.
- SCADA programs such as EPICS.
- Deriving novel control solutions from customer requirements or system documentation.
- HMI design per guidance in ISA-101 “Human-Machine Interfaces."
- Migrating legacy control systems to modern hardware and software.
- Electrically safe work practices, including establishing Lockout/Tagout.
- Database management and administration, eg SQL, HDF5 or MDSplus.
- Primarily office work and occasional hands-on technical work.
- This position is on-site at PPPL Monday – Friday. We are not supporting Visas or relocation for this position.
Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.
If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above.
The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.
Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from participation in certain foreign government talent recruitment programs. All PPPL employees are required to disclose any participation in a foreign government talent recruitment program and may be required to withdraw from such programs to remain employed under the DOE Contract.
This position will support the design, development, testing and operational phases of projects undertaken at PPPL. It will require the successful candidate to work closely with scientific and other engineering and technical staff to develop novel solutions in support of such projects.
A U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratory managed by Princeton University, the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is tackling the world’s toughest science and technology challenges using plasma, the fourth state of matter. With more than 70 years of history, PPPL is a leader in the science and engineering behind the development of fusion energy, a potentially limitless energy source. PPPL is also using its expertise to advance research in the areas of microelectronics, quantum sensors and devices, and sustainability sciences. Whether it be through science, engineering, technology or professional services, every team member has an opportunity to contribute to our mission and vision. Come join us!
This role includes hands-on work to test systems, diagnose failures and render repairs if needed.
The percent breakdown across various duties is:
- Design, Maintain and Support instrumentation and control systems: 60%
- Daily operation and maintenance of Control and Monitoring Systems: 15%
- Develop Diagrams, Drawings and Documentation for systems developed: 10%
- Apply controls theory to refine and improve the design of legacy and new systems: 15%
- Electrical Engineering
- Computer Engineering or related discipline.
They must be a team player with the ability to communicate ideas effectively to others with varying levels of technical skills and work with a diverse set of scientists, engineers and technical staff with varying backgrounds. They communicate designs through presentations and are comfortable providing material for reviews.
The successful candidate will have experience with the following:
- Hardware interfacing and control, including signal conditioning.
- PLC device families including Allen-Bradley, Siemens in new and legacy systems.
- Creation and interpretation of PLC programs in Limited-Variability-Language (LVL), e.g. ladder logic, function block diagram, and sequential function chart.
- Development of operator HMIs including screens, alarm servers, and data historians.
- Application of controls theory on the design and tuning of fast and slow systems.
- Software version control and configuration management.
- Communication protocols such as TCP, UDP, Modbus, OPC.
- Requirements definition, creation of hardware and software design documents, test design and system integration.
- Safety Systems design, programming, and maintenance per IEC-61511/61508.
- SCADA programs such as EPICS.
- Deriving novel control solutions from customer requirements or system documentation.
- HMI design per guidance in ISA-101 “Human-Machine Interfaces."
- Migrating legacy control systems to modern hardware and software.
- Electrically safe work practices, including establishing Lockout/Tagout.
- Database management and administration, eg SQL, HDF5 or MDSplus.
- Primarily office work and occasional hands-on technical work.
- This position is on-site at PPPL Monday – Friday. We are not supporting Visas or relocation for this position.
Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.
If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above.
The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.
Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from participation in certain foreign government talent recruitment programs. All PPPL employees are required to disclose any participation in a foreign government talent recruitment program and may be required to withdraw from such programs to remain employed under the DOE Contract.
See All 26 Controls Engineer Jobs in New Jersey
Find roles in New Jersey that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Controls Engineer JobsControls Engineer Jobs by City in New Jersey
Where New Jersey roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Controls Engineer Job Market in New Jersey
A snapshot from current New Jersey openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Energy
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Manufacturing
- Chemicals & Materials
- Staffing & Recruiting
What New Jersey Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in controls engineer jobs across New Jersey.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a closely related field
- Proficiency with PLC platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Mitsubishi
- Experience designing or maintaining SCADA and HMI systems in a manufacturing environment
- Familiarity with FDA-regulated or GMP manufacturing environments, common in New Jersey pharma
- Ability to read and produce P&IDs, electrical schematics, and control panel drawings
- Knowledge of industrial networking protocols such as Ethernet/IP, Profibus, or Modbus
Controls Engineer Jobs in New Jersey: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a controls engineer in New Jersey?
A bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or systems engineering is the standard starting point for controls engineer roles in New Jersey. While New Jersey does not require a state-specific license for most controls engineering positions in private industry, engineers who stamp designs for public projects may pursue Professional Engineer licensure through the New Jersey State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. Employers in the state's large pharmaceutical and defense sectors typically prioritize hands-on PLC and SCADA experience alongside the degree.
How much do controls engineers make in New Jersey?
Controls engineers in New Jersey earn a median of about $103,840 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $78,100 for the lowest 10% to over $161,740 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire controls engineers in New Jersey?
Employers hiring controls engineers in New Jersey right now include MCS Automation, EAD Management Services, and WSP, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. New Jersey's dense concentration of pharmaceutical manufacturers, chemical processors, and defense contractors means controls engineers here often work within regulated, validation-heavy environments compared to other states.
Which New Jersey cities have the most controls engineer jobs?
The cities with the most controls engineer openings in New Jersey are Wall, Parsippany-Troy Hills, and Camden. The distribution reflects New Jersey's major employment corridors: the Newark and northern New Jersey area draws demand from large defense and industrial firms, while the Princeton and Parsippany corridors are anchored by pharmaceutical and specialty chemical manufacturers that rely heavily on process controls engineering.
Are there remote controls engineer jobs in New Jersey?
Yes, but they're rare. Controls engineering is fundamentally hands-on work involving physical equipment, control panels, and plant-floor systems, which limits how much of the role can be done remotely. About 11% of controls engineer openings tied to New Jersey are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with remote work most common for design, programming, and documentation tasks rather than commissioning or maintenance work.
How can I get hired as a controls engineer in New Jersey with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an entry-level automation technician or controls technician role, which New Jersey's pharmaceutical and industrial manufacturers regularly hire for and use as a pipeline into full engineering positions. Large employers in the state's Route 1 corridor and northern industrial zone sometimes run co-op and associate engineer programs for new graduates. Building a hands-on portfolio with Allen-Bradley or Siemens PLC platforms, or coming from an adjacent role such as instrumentation technician or electrical technician, gives candidates a concrete edge in New Jersey's screening process.
Where can I find and apply to controls engineer jobs in New Jersey?
You can find and apply to controls engineer jobs in New Jersey on Migrate Mate, which lists current New Jersey openings updated on an ongoing basis. Search the listings for roles that match your experience and location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 26 Controls Engineer Jobs in New Jersey
Find roles in New Jersey that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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