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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Showing 5 of 80+ Controls Engineer jobs
Eaton’s Electrical Engineering Services & Systems division is seeking a Senior Power Systems Controls Engineer to join our industry-leading team. In this role, you’ll lead the execution of complex projects involving the design, programming, installation, startup, maintenance, and optimization of automated control and power management systems. You’ll work closely with customers to deliver innovative, reliable, and efficient solutions that power critical infrastructure. This is a hybrid role with approximately 50% travel throughout the Southeast Region of the United States.
The expected annual salary range for this role is $86000 - $126000 a year. In addition to salary, this position also offers paid overtime and a company vehicle.
Please note the salary information shown above is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
Our Power Systems Controls (PSC) team is a full-service integrator of the necessary systems, equipment, and technologies to provide a complete power systems & Microgrid control solutions. This team of talented engineers and technicians provides single point responsibility and seamless integration, transcending all major manufacturers of HMIs, PLCs, protective relays, and switchgear controls related components.
What you’ll do:
- Create, modify, test, and deploy software for Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC’s), Data concentrators, Multi-function Protection Relays, Breaker Control Schemes, Generator Controllers, and Human Machine Interfaces (HMI’s) for Automatic Power Transfer applications (Main-Tie-Main, Main-Gen, Main-Tie-Main-Gen, Generator Paralleling Switchgear etc.).
- Quote general turnkey control schemes (analyze specifications, price all applicable labor and materials, write a proposed scope of work, etc.)
- Assist with factory testing and field start-ups as required.
- Troubleshoot systems both onsite and remotely.
- Select components and create bill of materials.
- Provide sketches, mark-ups, and direction to Electrical Designers to develop project drawings.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor Degree in Engineering with at least 3 years of experience working with PLC programming and power distribution controls experience OR a high school diploma/GED with at least 5 years of power distribution controls experience.
- This role is designated as a Regular Driver per Eaton’s Driver Safety Policy and requires a current, unrestricted driver’s license along with a satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record. Candidates will be subject to a motor vehicle record check upon hire.
- All candidates must reside within a 50-mile radius of one of the locations listed on the job posting. No relocation will be offered for this role. Active-Duty Military Service member candidates are exempt from the geographical area limitation.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Professional Engineering license
- Bachelor’s degree Electrical Engineering degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum 5+ years’ experience with power system controls
Skills:
- Successfully complete and maintain compliance with Eaton’s safety program and policy; This includes role-applicable portions of the EESS Qualified Electrical Worker (QEW) program and any required annual re-certifications thereafter.
- This role is designated as a Regular Driver per Eaton’s Driver Safety Policy and requires a current, unrestricted driver's license along with a satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record. Candidates will be subject to a motor vehicle record check upon hire.
- Submit to periodic customer required background and drug screenings.
- Knowledge and understanding of best engineering practices for design of automation systems, power management systems, human-machine interface software, PLC programming, etc.
- Working knowledge of test equipment and diagnostic instruments for automation and power management systems.
- Knowledge of troubleshooting, test and repair techniques.
- Computer literacy. Working knowledge of all software packages relevant to successful performance of tasks.
- Knowledge of parts, part masters, bill of materials.
- Knowledge and practice of safety precautions related to working with automation and power management systems.
- Has demonstrated ability to provide service and represent company interests in developing customer relationships to assure long-term customer satisfaction.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication/presentation skills
- Experience with HMI (Human Machine Interface) software and power monitoring software packages.
- Experience with AutoCAD
All positions may require participation in video and in-person interviews as part of the hiring process. All candidates will be evaluated based on job-related competencies, and all candidates’ privacy rights and data security will be protected in accordance with applicable laws.
We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.
Eaton believes in second chance employment. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction history will be considered regardless of their arrest or conviction history, consistent with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act and other local laws.
You do not need to disclose your conviction history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Eaton is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.
To request a disability-related reasonable accommodation to assist you in your job search, application, or interview process, please call us at 1-800-836-6345 to discuss your specific need. Only accommodation requests will be accepted by this phone number.
We know that good benefit programs are important to employees and their families. Eaton provides various Health and Welfare benefits as well as Retirement benefits, and several programs that provide for paid and unpaid time away from work. Click here for more detail: Eaton Benefits Overview. Please note that specific programs and options available to an employee may depend on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.
Eaton’s Electrical Engineering Services & Systems division is seeking a Senior Power Systems Controls Engineer to join our industry-leading team. In this role, you’ll lead the execution of complex projects involving the design, programming, installation, startup, maintenance, and optimization of automated control and power management systems. You’ll work closely with customers to deliver innovative, reliable, and efficient solutions that power critical infrastructure. This is a hybrid role with approximately 50% travel throughout the Southeast Region of the United States.
The expected annual salary range for this role is $86000 - $126000 a year. In addition to salary, this position also offers paid overtime and a company vehicle.
Please note the salary information shown above is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
Our Power Systems Controls (PSC) team is a full-service integrator of the necessary systems, equipment, and technologies to provide a complete power systems & Microgrid control solutions. This team of talented engineers and technicians provides single point responsibility and seamless integration, transcending all major manufacturers of HMIs, PLCs, protective relays, and switchgear controls related components.
What you’ll do:
- Create, modify, test, and deploy software for Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC’s), Data concentrators, Multi-function Protection Relays, Breaker Control Schemes, Generator Controllers, and Human Machine Interfaces (HMI’s) for Automatic Power Transfer applications (Main-Tie-Main, Main-Gen, Main-Tie-Main-Gen, Generator Paralleling Switchgear etc.).
- Quote general turnkey control schemes (analyze specifications, price all applicable labor and materials, write a proposed scope of work, etc.)
- Assist with factory testing and field start-ups as required.
- Troubleshoot systems both onsite and remotely.
- Select components and create bill of materials.
- Provide sketches, mark-ups, and direction to Electrical Designers to develop project drawings.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor Degree in Engineering with at least 3 years of experience working with PLC programming and power distribution controls experience OR a high school diploma/GED with at least 5 years of power distribution controls experience.
- This role is designated as a Regular Driver per Eaton’s Driver Safety Policy and requires a current, unrestricted driver’s license along with a satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record. Candidates will be subject to a motor vehicle record check upon hire.
- All candidates must reside within a 50-mile radius of one of the locations listed on the job posting. No relocation will be offered for this role. Active-Duty Military Service member candidates are exempt from the geographical area limitation.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Professional Engineering license
- Bachelor’s degree Electrical Engineering degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum 5+ years’ experience with power system controls
Skills:
- Successfully complete and maintain compliance with Eaton’s safety program and policy; This includes role-applicable portions of the EESS Qualified Electrical Worker (QEW) program and any required annual re-certifications thereafter.
- This role is designated as a Regular Driver per Eaton’s Driver Safety Policy and requires a current, unrestricted driver's license along with a satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record. Candidates will be subject to a motor vehicle record check upon hire.
- Submit to periodic customer required background and drug screenings.
- Knowledge and understanding of best engineering practices for design of automation systems, power management systems, human-machine interface software, PLC programming, etc.
- Working knowledge of test equipment and diagnostic instruments for automation and power management systems.
- Knowledge of troubleshooting, test and repair techniques.
- Computer literacy. Working knowledge of all software packages relevant to successful performance of tasks.
- Knowledge of parts, part masters, bill of materials.
- Knowledge and practice of safety precautions related to working with automation and power management systems.
- Has demonstrated ability to provide service and represent company interests in developing customer relationships to assure long-term customer satisfaction.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication/presentation skills
- Experience with HMI (Human Machine Interface) software and power monitoring software packages.
- Experience with AutoCAD
All positions may require participation in video and in-person interviews as part of the hiring process. All candidates will be evaluated based on job-related competencies, and all candidates’ privacy rights and data security will be protected in accordance with applicable laws.
We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.
Eaton believes in second chance employment. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction history will be considered regardless of their arrest or conviction history, consistent with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act and other local laws.
You do not need to disclose your conviction history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Eaton is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.
To request a disability-related reasonable accommodation to assist you in your job search, application, or interview process, please call us at 1-800-836-6345 to discuss your specific need. Only accommodation requests will be accepted by this phone number.
We know that good benefit programs are important to employees and their families. Eaton provides various Health and Welfare benefits as well as Retirement benefits, and several programs that provide for paid and unpaid time away from work. Click here for more detail: Eaton Benefits Overview. Please note that specific programs and options available to an employee may depend on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.
See All 80 Controls Engineer Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Controls Engineer JobsControls Engineer Jobs by City in North Carolina
Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Controls Engineer Job Market in North Carolina
A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Chemicals & Materials
- Electronics & Hardware
- Energy
- Science & Research
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 Corning, Sargent & Lundy, and Eaton, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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 Durham 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 38% of controls engineer openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of August 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 80 Controls Engineer Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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