Controls Engineer Jobs in Tennessee

Controls Engineer jobs in Tennessee are in strong and consistent demand, concentrated in automotive manufacturing, chemical processing, and industrial automation across a seniority range from entry-level PLC technicians through senior process control engineers. The heaviest hiring activity is in Nashville, Chattanooga, and Knoxville, where employers like Volkswagen Group of America, Eastman Chemical, and Tennessee Valley Authority maintain large operations that depend on controls expertise. The most sought-after specialties are PLC and SCADA programming, motion control, and distributed control systems integration. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles55
Top employerAmazon
Top cityNashville, TN
Cities hiring20
Work type71% On-site
Top industryManufacturing

Showing 5 of 55+ Controls Engineer jobs

Amazon.com
System Development Engineer, In-House Controls, World-Wide Central Engineering
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Amazon.com
Added 1d ago
System Development Engineer, In-House Controls, World-Wide Central Engineering
Amazon.com
Nashville, Tennessee
Customer Support
IT Support
Technical Program Management
$123k - $192k/yr
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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Salas O'Brien
Instrumentation and Controls Engineer
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Salas O'Brien
Added 1d ago
Instrumentation and Controls Engineer
Salas O'Brien
Nashville, Tennessee
Customer Service
Customer Support
Hospitality & Guest Services
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
1,001-5,000

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Magna International
Sr. Engineer, Controls
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Magna International
Added 1d ago
Sr. Engineer, Controls
Magna International
Spring Hill, Tennessee
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Program Management
Project Management
Associate's degree in industrial technology
10,000+

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MS Technology, Inc
Controls Engineer
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MS Technology, Inc
Added 2d ago
Controls Engineer
MS Technology, Inc
Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
51-200

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Silver Hills Bakery
Controls Engineer
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Silver Hills Bakery
Added 5d ago
Controls Engineer
Silver Hills Bakery
Rossville, Tennessee
Business Operations
Program Management
Project Management

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See All 55 Controls Engineer Jobs in Tennessee

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

Find Controls Engineer Jobs

Controls Engineer Jobs by City in Tennessee

Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Memphis
8 jobs
Oak Ridge
5 jobs
Knoxville
4 jobs
Chattanooga
4 jobs
Arnold AFB
3 jobs
Louisville
2 jobs
Spring Hill
2 jobs
Dayton
1 job

Controls Engineer Job Market in Tennessee

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

Who's Hiring

Amazon
Amazon5 open roles
Sargent & Lundy
Sargent & Lundy5 open roles
Jobot
Jobot4 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Manufacturing
  • Consulting & Professional Services
  • Staffing & Recruiting
  • Technology & Software
  • Retail

What Tennessee Employers Look For

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

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, controls engineering, or a closely related field
  • Hands-on experience programming PLCs using Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar platforms
  • Proficiency with SCADA systems and HMI development for industrial or manufacturing environments
  • Familiarity with instrumentation, control loops, and process automation in manufacturing or chemical settings
  • Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, P&IDs, and control panel drawings
  • Strong troubleshooting skills for automated systems with experience in a plant or production environment

Controls Engineer Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a controls engineer in Tennessee?

Most controls engineer roles in Tennessee require a bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or systems engineering from an accredited program. While Tennessee does not require a state-issued controls engineering license for most industrial positions, engineers who provide services to the public must hold a Professional Engineer license issued through the Tennessee State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers. Strong candidates build hands-on PLC and SCADA skills through internships, co-op programs, or technical training before their first role.

How much do controls engineers make in Tennessee?

Controls engineers in Tennessee earn a median of about $99,080 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $72,200 for the lowest 10% to over $132,040 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire controls engineers in Tennessee?

Employers hiring controls engineers in Tennessee right now include Amazon, Sargent & Lundy, and Jobot, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Tennessee's combination of automotive assembly plants, chemical manufacturers, and utilities creates a broad and steady base of controls engineering demand across the state.

Which Tennessee cities have the most controls engineer jobs?

Nashville, Memphis, and Oak Ridge have the most controls engineer openings in Tennessee. Nashville anchors demand through its expanding advanced manufacturing and infrastructure base, Chattanooga draws heavily from Volkswagen's assembly operations and its growing supplier network, and Knoxville is supported by Eastman Chemical, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the Tennessee Valley Authority, which together generate consistent openings for process and systems controls engineers.

Are there remote controls engineer jobs in Tennessee?

Yes, but they're rare. Controls engineering is fundamentally a hands-on role tied to physical equipment, so most positions require on-site presence at a plant, facility, or job site. About 29% of controls engineer openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those tend to be in systems design, project engineering, or technical sales support rather than direct plant operations.

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

The most realistic entry path is through a co-op or internship at one of Tennessee's large manufacturers, where Volkswagen, Eastman Chemical, and TVA regularly bring on engineering students for structured rotations. New graduates can also apply for associate controls engineer or automation technician roles, which serve as direct on-ramps to full controls positions. Candidates who earn a credential in PLC programming through a technical college like Chattanooga State or Pellissippi State, or who build a portfolio of documented automation projects, stand out when competing without prior full-time experience.

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

You can find and apply to controls engineer jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to the Tennessee market. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly from the listing.

See All 55 Controls Engineer Jobs in Tennessee

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

Find Controls Engineer Jobs