Controls Engineer Jobs in North Carolina

Controls engineer jobs in North Carolina are consistently active, with strong demand across the state's manufacturing, life sciences, and industrial automation sectors at every level from entry-level technician to senior systems engineer. Charlotte, Raleigh, and the Triad region around Greensboro and Winston-Salem are the primary hiring centers, home to established employers like Honeywell, ABB, and Siemens Energy that maintain large engineering operations in the state. The most sought-after specialties include PLC programming, SCADA systems, and process control for pharmaceutical and food and beverage production. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles102+
Top employerFCX
Top cityCharlotte, NC
Cities hiring38
Work type61% On-site
Top industryConsulting

Showing 5 of 102+ Controls Engineer jobs

Senior Controls Engineer
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Senior Controls Engineer
Exela Pharma Sciences
Lenoir, North Carolina
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Product Management
Bachelor's degree in engineering
1-1

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Senior Automation & Controls Engineer – PLC Programming
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Added 3d ago
Senior Automation & Controls Engineer – PLC Programming
Matrix Technologies, Inc.
Raleigh, North Carolina
Factory & Production Work
Manufacturing Operations
Quality Control
$105k - $145k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
201-500

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Senior Controls Engineer
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Added 3d ago
Senior Controls Engineer
Baxter
Marion, North Carolina
Engineering (Non-Software)
Mechanical Engineering
Product Management
Specialized Engineering
$96k - $132k/yr
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
10,000+

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Engineer - Manufacturing Controls Engineer
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Added 3d ago
Engineer - Manufacturing Controls Engineer
Henniges Automotive
Reidsville, North Carolina
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
Robotics Engineering
On-Site
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
5,001-10,000

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Controls Engineer
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Added 4d ago
Controls Engineer
BorgWarner
Arden, North Carolina
Data Science & Analytics
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
$101k - $142k/yr
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
10,000+

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See All 102+ Controls Engineer Jobs in North Carolina

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Controls Engineer Jobs by City in North Carolina

Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Arden
5 jobs
Wilmington
5 jobs
Winston-Salem
5 jobs
Cary
4 jobs
Durham
4 jobs
Morrisville
4 jobs
Greensboro
3 jobs

Controls Engineer Job Market in North Carolina

A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

FCX4 open roles
Eaton4 open roles
Applied Industrial Technologies4 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Consulting & Professional Services
  • Manufacturing
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
  • Electronics & Hardware
  • Construction & Real Estate

What North Carolina Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in controls engineer jobs across North Carolina.

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related technical discipline
  • Hands-on experience programming PLCs using Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Mitsubishi platforms
  • Proficiency with SCADA and HMI systems such as FactoryTalk, Ignition, or WinCC
  • Familiarity with industrial networking protocols including EtherNet/IP, Profibus, and Modbus
  • Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, loop drawings, and P&ID diagrams
  • Experience working within regulated manufacturing environments such as pharma, biotech, or food production

Controls Engineer Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a controls engineer in North Carolina?

Most controls engineers in North Carolina enter the field with a bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or mechatronics engineering from a North Carolina institution such as NC State, UNC Charlotte, or NC A&T. While no state-specific license is required to work as a controls engineer, candidates who pursue a Professional Engineer (PE) license through the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors gain a clear advantage in senior or consulting roles. Employers also value hands-on PLC and SCADA certifications from vendors like Rockwell or Siemens.

How much do controls engineers make in North Carolina?

Controls engineers in North Carolina earn a median of about $99,310 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $68,930 for the lowest 10% to over $139,110 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire controls engineers in North Carolina?

Employers hiring controls engineers in North Carolina right now include FCX, Eaton, and Applied Industrial Technologies, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. North Carolina's concentration of pharmaceutical manufacturers, industrial automation integrators, and large energy companies makes it one of the more consistent states for controls engineering demand year-round.

Which North Carolina cities have the most controls engineer jobs?

Charlotte, Raleigh, and Arden account for the highest concentration of controls engineer openings in North Carolina. Charlotte drives volume through its manufacturing and energy infrastructure, Raleigh benefits from the Research Triangle's life sciences and advanced manufacturing corridor, and the Greensboro and Winston-Salem area draws openings from legacy industrial and food production employers that have anchored the Piedmont Triad for decades.

Are there remote controls engineer jobs in North Carolina?

Yes, but they're rare. Controls engineering is fundamentally a hands-on, site-based discipline, so most roles require regular presence on a production floor or at a client facility. About 39% of controls engineer openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to be project management, systems architecture, or pre-sales engineering positions rather than day-to-day commissioning or maintenance roles.

How can I get hired as a controls engineer in North Carolina with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is an automation or electrical engineering technician role at one of North Carolina's large manufacturing employers, where you gain PLC and instrumentation exposure before stepping into a full controls engineer title. Companies like Honeywell and ABB in the Charlotte area run co-op and new-grad programs through NC State and NC A&T pipelines. A Rockwell Automation or Siemens PLC certification, combined with a senior capstone project involving industrial controls, gives candidates without work experience a concrete credential to show hiring managers.

Where can I find and apply to controls engineer jobs in North Carolina?

You can find and apply to controls engineer jobs in North Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring in the state right now. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly from the listing.

See All 102+ Controls Engineer Jobs in North Carolina

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