Controls Engineer Jobs in Texas
Controls engineer jobs in Texas are among the most active in the country, concentrated in oil and gas automation, petrochemical processing, advanced manufacturing, and utility infrastructure, with openings at every level from entry-level technician-track roles through senior systems engineers. Houston, San Antonio, and the Dallas-Fort Worth metro account for the largest share of postings, where companies like ExxonMobil, Honeywell, and Emerson Electric maintain major Texas operations and hire controls engineers on a recurring basis. The most in-demand specialties are PLC and DCS programming, SCADA systems, and process automation for refining and chemical applications. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Controls Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 282+ Controls Engineer jobs
Controls Engineer – Chillers
Location: Plano, TX (Hybrid; onsite for the first 30 days)
Employment Type: Direct Hire
Compensation: $159,000 – $180,000 base
Relocation: Up to $25,000 in relocation assistance
Travel: Up to 25%, domestic and international
About the Opportunity
Our client, a global leader in industrial and energy technology, is building a new division focused on data center cooling solutions across North America. As a new division, it offers long-term stability and room to grow. They are seeking a senior Controls Engineer to own control system design for centrifugal chillers and modular chiller plants, from early concept through commissioning. This person will work across mechanical, electrical, and controls disciplines and partner with customers, suppliers, and engineering teams in Japan and the U.S.
What You'll Do
- Design and review control logic for centrifugal chiller and modular chiller plant systems.
- Define system architecture and control strategies for temperature, flow, and energy optimization.
- Select control hardware and define network architecture.
- Design and validate interfaces between chillers, pumps, valves, and supervisory systems (BMS/DCIM).
- Write control narratives, sequences of operation, and functional specifications.
- Own supporting engineering calculations (load flow, short circuit, protection coordination, arc flash, harmonics) and keep them traceable to requirements.
- Define interface requirements and responsibility boundaries with customers and suppliers.
- Act as a technical contact for customers and suppliers before and after contract award.
- Support proposals by defining control system scope, assumptions, and solutions.
- Participate in testing, commissioning, and site validation, and troubleshoot control performance issues.
- Lead vendor design reviews and drive corrective actions.
- Contribute to next-generation modular cooling products and advanced controls.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in electrical, controls, or mechanical engineering, or a related field.
- 7+ years of control system design or engineering for HVAC, centrifugal chillers, or industrial systems. Experience at a major chiller manufacturer such as Trane or JCI is highly valued.
- Proven design ownership from concept through commissioning.
- Strong knowledge of control logic, PLC/DDC systems, and industrial automation.
- Experience with multi-discipline system integration and interface definition.
- Ability to read and develop control diagrams, sequences of operation, and functional specifications.
- Strong communication skills with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams.
- Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in electrical, controls, or mechanical engineering.
- 10+ years in control system engineering for HVAC, chiller, or industrial systems.
- A track record of developing new control solutions or products and bringing them to market.
- Project management, customer support, and testing/commissioning experience.
Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision coverage; 401(k) with company match; paid vacation and sick time; 15 paid holidays; and strong growth potential in a newly launched division.
Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship.
Controls Engineer – Chillers
Location: Plano, TX (Hybrid; onsite for the first 30 days)
Employment Type: Direct Hire
Compensation: $159,000 – $180,000 base
Relocation: Up to $25,000 in relocation assistance
Travel: Up to 25%, domestic and international
About the Opportunity
Our client, a global leader in industrial and energy technology, is building a new division focused on data center cooling solutions across North America. As a new division, it offers long-term stability and room to grow. They are seeking a senior Controls Engineer to own control system design for centrifugal chillers and modular chiller plants, from early concept through commissioning. This person will work across mechanical, electrical, and controls disciplines and partner with customers, suppliers, and engineering teams in Japan and the U.S.
What You'll Do
- Design and review control logic for centrifugal chiller and modular chiller plant systems.
- Define system architecture and control strategies for temperature, flow, and energy optimization.
- Select control hardware and define network architecture.
- Design and validate interfaces between chillers, pumps, valves, and supervisory systems (BMS/DCIM).
- Write control narratives, sequences of operation, and functional specifications.
- Own supporting engineering calculations (load flow, short circuit, protection coordination, arc flash, harmonics) and keep them traceable to requirements.
- Define interface requirements and responsibility boundaries with customers and suppliers.
- Act as a technical contact for customers and suppliers before and after contract award.
- Support proposals by defining control system scope, assumptions, and solutions.
- Participate in testing, commissioning, and site validation, and troubleshoot control performance issues.
- Lead vendor design reviews and drive corrective actions.
- Contribute to next-generation modular cooling products and advanced controls.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in electrical, controls, or mechanical engineering, or a related field.
- 7+ years of control system design or engineering for HVAC, centrifugal chillers, or industrial systems. Experience at a major chiller manufacturer such as Trane or JCI is highly valued.
- Proven design ownership from concept through commissioning.
- Strong knowledge of control logic, PLC/DDC systems, and industrial automation.
- Experience with multi-discipline system integration and interface definition.
- Ability to read and develop control diagrams, sequences of operation, and functional specifications.
- Strong communication skills with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams.
- Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in electrical, controls, or mechanical engineering.
- 10+ years in control system engineering for HVAC, chiller, or industrial systems.
- A track record of developing new control solutions or products and bringing them to market.
- Project management, customer support, and testing/commissioning experience.
Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision coverage; 401(k) with company match; paid vacation and sick time; 15 paid holidays; and strong growth potential in a newly launched division.
Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship.
See All 282+ Controls Engineer Jobs in Texas
Find roles in Texas that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Controls Engineer JobsControls Engineer Jobs by City in Texas
Where Texas roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Controls Engineer Job Market in Texas
A snapshot from current Texas openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Tesla32
- SpaceX19
- Fluidstack12
- Blue United Sourcing7
- Eaton5
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services17
- Construction & Real Estate8
- Energy6
- Manufacturing5
- Technology & Software4
What Texas Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in controls engineer jobs across Texas.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or controls engineering from an accredited program
- Hands-on experience programming PLCs using Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Schneider Electric platforms
- Proficiency with SCADA systems and HMI development for industrial or process control environments
- Familiarity with oil and gas, petrochemical, or heavy manufacturing process control standards
- Knowledge of instrumentation, control loop tuning, and P&ID interpretation
- Professional Engineer license through the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors preferred for senior roles
Controls Engineer Jobs in Texas: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a controls engineer in Texas?
Most controls engineers in Texas start with a bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or systems engineering from an ABET-accredited program. Licensure as a Professional Engineer through the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors is not required for most positions but is strongly preferred for senior or project-lead roles. Employers in the oil and gas and petrochemical sectors expect hands-on PLC and DCS experience, which candidates often build through internships, co-op programs, or entry-level instrumentation technician roles.
How much do controls engineers make in Texas?
Controls engineers in Texas earn a median of about $104,560 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $67,490 for the lowest 10% to over $168,670 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire controls engineers in Texas?
Employers hiring controls engineers in Texas right now include Tesla, SpaceX, and Fluidstack, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Texas's concentration of energy, refining, and advanced manufacturing facilities means demand is consistent year-round across the state's major industrial corridors.
Which Texas cities have the most controls engineer jobs?
Austin, Houston, and Dallas have the most controls engineer openings in Texas. Houston drives the largest share of demand because of its dense concentration of refining, petrochemical, and energy sector employers, while Dallas-Fort Worth adds openings in industrial automation and building systems, and San Antonio draws from its growing advanced manufacturing and military-adjacent infrastructure base.
Are there remote controls engineer jobs in Texas?
Yes, but they're rare. Controls engineering is fundamentally a hands-on discipline requiring on-site commissioning, hardware troubleshooting, and plant-floor presence, which limits remote availability. About 32% of controls engineer openings tied to Texas are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those roles typically cover design, documentation, or off-site programming work rather than installation or startup.
How can I get hired as a controls engineer in Texas with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an instrumentation and controls technician role, which Texas energy and manufacturing employers treat as a direct pipeline into engineering positions. Large Texas employers like Valero, LyondellBasell, and Dow hire instrumentation technicians and associate engineers through structured new-grad programs at their Gulf Coast facilities. Completing coursework in PLC programming, earning a CSIA certification, or building a portfolio of simulation projects on platforms like Siemens TIA Portal gives candidates a concrete edge over other applicants without field hours.
Where can I find and apply to controls engineer jobs in Texas?
You can find and apply to controls engineer jobs in Texas on Migrate Mate, which lists current Texas openings across the state's energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly from the listings.
See All 282+ Controls Engineer Jobs in Texas
Find roles in Texas that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Controls Engineer Jobs