Controls Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Controls Engineer jobs in Virginia are in strong demand, concentrated in defense systems, semiconductor manufacturing, and federal infrastructure projects, with openings from entry-level automation technicians through senior systems engineers. The busiest hiring markets are Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Hampton Roads, where established employers like Northrop Grumman, Leidos, and Honeywell maintain significant engineering operations. The most sought-after specialties are PLC programming, SCADA systems, and process control for defense and government contract environments. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 74+ Controls Engineer jobs
Nuclear Power is a carbon-free energy source. Our nuclear power generation clients are digitizing their existing power plants and building new nuclear power plants, small modular reactors (SMR) due to the increasing demand for electric power. This is expanding our work in the Instrumentation and Controls Engineering group. Due to this influx of work, Sargent & Lundy has a need for additional I&C Engineers.
This position will offer you the opportunity to work in a project team environment with other engineers and designers involved in the design, modification, and analysis of instrumentation and control systems in new and existing power plants. You will work on interesting and challenging projects that include investigating, trouble-shooting, and solving a wide variety of electrical controls engineering issues, including the following:
- - PLC, DCS, Touchscreens, network switches , and control systems
- Functional requirement and procurement specifications for control systems
- Mechatronics, control systems for pumps, valves, heat exchangers, steam turbines and reactors to improve the functionality of the nuclear power plant
- Critical digital asset cyber assessment and assessment review
- Client meetings and site walkdowns to validate scope and ensure client satisfaction
- Assist the project manager/director to ensure projects are completed satisfactorily, on time, and within budget
- Prepare and review detailed calculations, including scaling, uncertainty, and setpoint calculations for digital and analog controls applications
- Interface with vendors to perform document reviews and prepare equipment purchase specifications
- Prepare reports and studies that present technical information in a clear and concise manner to meet client requirements
- Perform independent reviews of work performed by others, including design documentation, specifications, calculations, and drawings
- Enhance your career via participation in professional Communities of Practice
- Provide guidance as a mentor in the development of less experienced engineers
Essential skills and experience:
- BS or MS in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET accredited program
- Five or more years of experience in I&C Design Engineering.
- Experience with the selection of equipment, control philosophy, and the preparation and assembly of design packages, calculations, and specifications
- Experience with controls system design including applications for equipment such as turbines, pumps, feedwater controls, and data displays
- Experience with serving as the firm's client liaison in a support or lead engineering role
- Experience in reviewing design documentation
- PE license is preferred
We value candidates who demonstrate an interest in learning and effectively using emerging technologies where relevant to their role. Employees remain accountable for their work and are expected to apply appropriate professional judgment and review when using technology-assisted tools.
Experience with AI, automation, programming, or similar technologies is valued where relevant but is not required unless specifically identified elsewhere in the job description.
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & Wellness
- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
Nuclear Power is a carbon-free energy source. Our nuclear power generation clients are digitizing their existing power plants and building new nuclear power plants, small modular reactors (SMR) due to the increasing demand for electric power. This is expanding our work in the Instrumentation and Controls Engineering group. Due to this influx of work, Sargent & Lundy has a need for additional I&C Engineers.
This position will offer you the opportunity to work in a project team environment with other engineers and designers involved in the design, modification, and analysis of instrumentation and control systems in new and existing power plants. You will work on interesting and challenging projects that include investigating, trouble-shooting, and solving a wide variety of electrical controls engineering issues, including the following:
- - PLC, DCS, Touchscreens, network switches , and control systems
- Functional requirement and procurement specifications for control systems
- Mechatronics, control systems for pumps, valves, heat exchangers, steam turbines and reactors to improve the functionality of the nuclear power plant
- Critical digital asset cyber assessment and assessment review
- Client meetings and site walkdowns to validate scope and ensure client satisfaction
- Assist the project manager/director to ensure projects are completed satisfactorily, on time, and within budget
- Prepare and review detailed calculations, including scaling, uncertainty, and setpoint calculations for digital and analog controls applications
- Interface with vendors to perform document reviews and prepare equipment purchase specifications
- Prepare reports and studies that present technical information in a clear and concise manner to meet client requirements
- Perform independent reviews of work performed by others, including design documentation, specifications, calculations, and drawings
- Enhance your career via participation in professional Communities of Practice
- Provide guidance as a mentor in the development of less experienced engineers
Essential skills and experience:
- BS or MS in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET accredited program
- Five or more years of experience in I&C Design Engineering.
- Experience with the selection of equipment, control philosophy, and the preparation and assembly of design packages, calculations, and specifications
- Experience with controls system design including applications for equipment such as turbines, pumps, feedwater controls, and data displays
- Experience with serving as the firm's client liaison in a support or lead engineering role
- Experience in reviewing design documentation
- PE license is preferred
We value candidates who demonstrate an interest in learning and effectively using emerging technologies where relevant to their role. Employees remain accountable for their work and are expected to apply appropriate professional judgment and review when using technology-assisted tools.
Experience with AI, automation, programming, or similar technologies is valued where relevant but is not required unless specifically identified elsewhere in the job description.
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & Wellness
- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
See All 74 Controls Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Controls Engineer JobsControls Engineer Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Controls Engineer Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Amazon20
- Sargent & Lundy5
- TAI Engineering3
- Eaton2
- HYPER SOLUTIONS2
Top Industries Hiring
- Retail
- Manufacturing
- Technology & Software
- E-Commerce & Online Marketplaces
- Energy
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in controls engineer jobs across Virginia.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or systems engineering required
- Proficiency with PLC platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Mitsubishi
- Experience designing or maintaining SCADA or distributed control systems
- Familiarity with industrial networking protocols including Ethernet/IP and Modbus
- Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and control panel drawings
- Active or obtainable security clearance preferred for defense and federal contract roles
Controls Engineer Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a controls engineer in Virginia?
Most controls engineer roles in Virginia require a bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or systems engineering. Virginia does not mandate a state-specific license for controls engineers in industrial settings, but engineers who offer services to the public may pursue Professional Engineer licensure through the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. Candidates targeting defense contractors in Northern Virginia or Hampton Roads benefit significantly from obtaining a security clearance early in their career.
How much do controls engineers make in Virginia?
Controls engineers in Virginia earn a median of about $102,550 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $69,880 for the lowest 10% to over $157,160 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire controls engineers in Virginia?
Employers hiring controls engineers in Virginia right now include Amazon, Sargent & Lundy, and TAI Engineering, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Virginia's concentration of defense primes and federal system integrators means a large share of openings require or prefer candidates with an active or pending security clearance.
Which Virginia cities have the most controls engineer jobs?
Herndon, Richmond, and Reston have the most controls engineer openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia leads because of the dense cluster of defense contractors and federal agencies headquartered there, while Richmond draws demand from manufacturing and utilities, and Hampton Roads reflects the region's large naval and shipbuilding industry presence.
Are there remote controls engineer jobs in Virginia?
Yes, but they're rare. Controls engineering is largely hands-on work involving physical systems, control panels, and on-site commissioning, which limits remote options. About 15% of controls engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions tend to involve design, documentation, or software configuration work rather than field or plant floor responsibilities.
How can I get hired as a controls engineer in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through an associate or junior controls engineer role at one of Virginia's large defense contractors or manufacturing firms, where structured onboarding programs exist for new graduates. Employers like Northrop Grumman and Leidos hire early-career engineers and often sponsor clearance processing. Candidates who build hands-on PLC programming experience through capstone projects, co-ops, or community college automation programs at institutions like Northern Virginia Community College gain a measurable edge over candidates without practical exposure.
Where can I find and apply to controls engineer jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to controls engineer jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across defense, manufacturing, utilities, and government contracting. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 74 Controls Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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