Controls Engineer Jobs in Richmond, VA
Controls Engineer jobs in Richmond, Virginia are concentrated in the Southside industrial corridors, Henrico County, and the Chesterfield County manufacturing belt, with strong demand from HYPER SOLUTIONS, Sargent & Lundy, and ABB across food and beverage production, chemical processing, and defense manufacturing. Automation and PLC programming specialists are especially active in the market right now. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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At ABB, we help industries run leaner and cleaner—and every person here makes that happen. You’ll be empowered to lead, supported to grow, and proud of the impact we create together. Join us and help run what runs the world.
This position reports to:
Chapter Lead__
In this role, you will have the opportunity to contribute to ABB’s success with technology, software, product, and system development. Each day, you will identify and implement innovative solutions to relevant problems. You will also showcase your expertise by providing ideas and by being able to work both independently and as a part of a Research & Development (R&D) team.
The work model for the role is: Onsite #LI-Onsite
You will be mainly accountable for:
Working as an independent and reliable contributor in R&D projects with limited supervision.
Driving the achievement of assigned targets (quality, time, scope, cost) and raising and addressing risks.
Support the overall design cycle of the new product, from simulation to validation and documentation, through design and test
Develop and adapt closed loop control systems for high power converters, such as inverters, rectifiers and DC/DC.
Support the overall design cycle of the new product, from simulation to validation and documentation, through design and test
Conduct and coordinate complex analyses, develop recommendations based on technology/engineering practices and business considerations
Support operations and after sales organization during trouble shooting phases
You will join an agile team that consists of approximately 8-12 employees that work cross functionally to design and develop new products.
Qualifications for the role
Master in Electrical/Electronics Engineering with thesis in Power Electronics or Bachelors Degree in Electrical/Electronics and equivalent work experience
6+ years of electrical engineering experience
Experience with simulation tools -MATLAB/Simulink, LT Spice- and programming language -C-
Experience with high speed real-time closed loop control systems is preferred
Understanding of power semiconductor characteristics, inductors and passive components.
Experience with power electronic design topologies, knowledge of UPS technology
Good communication skills in English, both oral and written. Other languages are an asset
Candidate must already have a work authorization that would permit them to work for ABB in the US.
More about us
ABB Smart Power provides energy distribution solutions for data centers, industrial and manufacturing plants, critical infrastructure and commercial buildings. The Division’s technical teams work closely with industry partners, delivering advanced solutions that support rapid growth, energy transition, and sustainability objectives. The Division’s portfolio includes industrial circuit breakers, low-voltage systems, motor starting applications, and safety devices like switches and relays. Its Power Protection unit supports the world’s largest data center companies with advanced energy-efficient UPS solutions. The Division’s ABB Ability™ Energy Manager provides a scalable, easy-to-use platform that helps organizations save energy and reduce CO2 emissions.
We value people from different backgrounds. Apply today for your next career step within ABB and visit www.abb.com to learn about the impact of our solutions across the globe. #MyABBStory
We look forward to receiving your application. If you want to discover more about ABB, take another look at our website www.abb.com.
ABB is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer for protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities at ABB.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their- sex (gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation), marital status, citizenship, age, race and ethnicity, inclusive of traits historically associated with race or ethnicity, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles, color, religious creed, national origin, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal and state law.
For more information regarding your (EEO) rights as an applicant, please visit the following websites: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf
As an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer for Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities, applicants may request to review the plan of a particular ABB facility between the hours of 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. EST Monday through Friday by contacting an ABB HR Representative at 1-888-694-7762.
Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access ABB's career site as a result of your disability. You may request reasonable accommodations by calling an ABB HR Representative at 1-888-694-7762 or by sending an email to US-AskHR@abb.com. Resumes and applications will not be accepted in this manner.
MyBenefitsABB.com
We value people from different backgrounds. Could this be your story? Apply today or visit www.abb.com to read more about us and learn about the impact of our solutions across the globe.
Building a cleaner, smarter future takes all kinds of minds: the curious, the courageous, and the creative. That's why we welcome people from all backgrounds and experiences.
Ready to make an impact?
Apply today or visit https://www.abb.com to learn more about the impact of our solutions across the globe.
See All 68 Controls Engineer Jobs in Richmond
Find roles in Richmond that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Controls Engineer JobsControls Engineer Job Market in Richmond
Who's Hiring
- HYPER SOLUTIONS15

- Sargent & Lundy15

- ABB8

- Sonoco8

- Dubak Electrical8

Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
Controls Engineer Jobs in Richmond: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a controls engineer job in Richmond?
Focus your search on Richmond's manufacturing and industrial base, particularly food processing plants along the Southside, chemical and specialty materials producers in Chesterfield County, and defense contractors in Henrico County. Hands-on experience with PLCs, HMI systems, and SCADA platforms gives candidates a clear edge in this market. Attending local ISA Richmond Section events and connecting with plant engineers directly at facilities in the River Road and Deepwater Terminal industrial areas also helps.
Which companies hire controls engineers in Richmond?
Companies currently hiring controls engineers in Richmond include HYPER SOLUTIONS, Sargent & Lundy, and ABB, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Richmond's mix of large food and beverage manufacturers, specialty chemical producers, and defense systems integrators means consistent demand for controls talent across multiple industrial sectors.
Are there remote controls engineer jobs in Richmond?
Yes, but only for a narrow slice of the role: controls engineering is fundamentally hands-on, so fully remote work is uncommon. About 0% of controls engineer openings tied to Richmond are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, mostly covering system design, programming review, and documentation work. Richmond employers in defense and systems integration tend to offer the most flexibility for off-site PLC programming and control architecture tasks.
How can I get a controls engineer job in Richmond with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Richmond is a technician or automation technician role at one of the Chesterfield or Henrico County manufacturing facilities, where hands-on PLC troubleshooting experience translates directly into controls engineering advancement. Reynolds Community College and Virginia Commonwealth University both have programs that Richmond plant managers recognize. Internships or co-ops at local food processing or chemical plants frequently convert to full-time controls roles, especially for candidates with documented panel wiring or ladder logic exposure.
Which industries hire the most controls engineers in Richmond?
Richmond controls engineer roles concentrate in Manufacturing, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Richmond's role as a regional hub for food and beverage production, specialty chemicals, and defense systems integration drives consistent demand for controls talent throughout the year.
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See All 68 Controls Engineer Jobs in Richmond
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