Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs
Electrical Controls Engineer jobs are open across manufacturing, energy, automotive, and food and beverage, from entry-level and junior roles to senior and principal engineers, with common specializations in PLC programming, SCADA systems, and motion control. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 2,007+ Electrical Controls Engineer jobs
JOB SUMMARY:
Under limited supervision, designs, documents, fabricates, implements and troubleshoots controls for semi-automatic and automatic manufacturing equipment, with end goals of improving production safety, quality, capacity and/or lower costs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Designs safety and operational controls for new and existing equipment and troubleshoots any issues with these controls, referring complex issues to more experienced engineers when needed.
- Specifies components for use in equipment for controls systems. Documents control systems in drawings, schematics and spec sheets.
- Programs PLC controllers and documents PLC programs using ladder logic diagrams.
- Collaborates with Automation Engineering and Maintenance to verify that the design of all production equipment meets all regulatory and DENSO standards.
- After consulting with Automation Engineering and Maintenance, creates equipment specifications based upon requirements for GUI/communication interfaces and networking requirements.
- Collaborates with production planning to schedule electrical work and equipment modifications and/or installation.
- Develops clear and concise operator instruction manuals.
- May train or mentor less experienced engineers.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or other related engineering field
- 5+ years as a Machine builder, Controls Engineer or related
- PLC programming experience with a focus on Allen Bradley and Studio 5000
- Functional experience programming VFD’s and Servo controllers.
- Proficiency in creating detailed electrical and fluid schematics
- Experience working in a manufacturing environment
- Strong background of system design, implementation, testing and maintenance
- Experience with Functional Safety standards
SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- PLC programming, controls circuit design, machine safety standards and component selection criteria knowledge and experience required
- Analytical skills with an ability to independently evaluate and develop innovative solutions to complex situations
- Written and verbal communication skills and presentation skills. Ability to communicate with internal and external customers on issues of moderate to considerable importance, up to and including senior management.
- Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
- Ability to work within tight timeframes and meet strict deadlines
- Project management skills, including identifying and scheduling process steps, determining resources and staff required to successfully complete assigned projects or project steps and reporting on project
- Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office products such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Ability to apply process improvement planning and checking to own work output and to assist others with identifying gaps in work results
Benefits Summary:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Plans
- 401K with 4% Company Match
- Vacation/PTO and 13 Paid Holidays
- Bonus Program
- FSA/HSA and Dependent Care Programs
- Company provided Life, Disability, ADD, and Business Travel Insurance
- Various No Cost Wellness & Chronic Condition Management Programs
- Various Optional Insurance Programs such as Legal, Identity Theft, Critical Illness, etc.
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Career Development and Ongoing Training
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Spotlight and Recognition Program
- Volunteer opportunities
- Onsite Fitness Center (vary by location)
- Cafeteria and food markets (vary by location)
- Onsite Health Clinic and Pharmacy (vary by location)
Candidates residing 50+ miles from the work location are eligible for relocation assistance.
Annual Salary: $96,000 - $120,000
Bachelor's Degree
JOB SUMMARY:
Under limited supervision, designs, documents, fabricates, implements and troubleshoots controls for semi-automatic and automatic manufacturing equipment, with end goals of improving production safety, quality, capacity and/or lower costs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Designs safety and operational controls for new and existing equipment and troubleshoots any issues with these controls, referring complex issues to more experienced engineers when needed.
- Specifies components for use in equipment for controls systems. Documents control systems in drawings, schematics and spec sheets.
- Programs PLC controllers and documents PLC programs using ladder logic diagrams.
- Collaborates with Automation Engineering and Maintenance to verify that the design of all production equipment meets all regulatory and DENSO standards.
- After consulting with Automation Engineering and Maintenance, creates equipment specifications based upon requirements for GUI/communication interfaces and networking requirements.
- Collaborates with production planning to schedule electrical work and equipment modifications and/or installation.
- Develops clear and concise operator instruction manuals.
- May train or mentor less experienced engineers.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or other related engineering field
- 5+ years as a Machine builder, Controls Engineer or related
- PLC programming experience with a focus on Allen Bradley and Studio 5000
- Functional experience programming VFD’s and Servo controllers.
- Proficiency in creating detailed electrical and fluid schematics
- Experience working in a manufacturing environment
- Strong background of system design, implementation, testing and maintenance
- Experience with Functional Safety standards
SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- PLC programming, controls circuit design, machine safety standards and component selection criteria knowledge and experience required
- Analytical skills with an ability to independently evaluate and develop innovative solutions to complex situations
- Written and verbal communication skills and presentation skills. Ability to communicate with internal and external customers on issues of moderate to considerable importance, up to and including senior management.
- Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
- Ability to work within tight timeframes and meet strict deadlines
- Project management skills, including identifying and scheduling process steps, determining resources and staff required to successfully complete assigned projects or project steps and reporting on project
- Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office products such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Ability to apply process improvement planning and checking to own work output and to assist others with identifying gaps in work results
Benefits Summary:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Plans
- 401K with 4% Company Match
- Vacation/PTO and 13 Paid Holidays
- Bonus Program
- FSA/HSA and Dependent Care Programs
- Company provided Life, Disability, ADD, and Business Travel Insurance
- Various No Cost Wellness & Chronic Condition Management Programs
- Various Optional Insurance Programs such as Legal, Identity Theft, Critical Illness, etc.
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Career Development and Ongoing Training
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Spotlight and Recognition Program
- Volunteer opportunities
- Onsite Fitness Center (vary by location)
- Cafeteria and food markets (vary by location)
- Onsite Health Clinic and Pharmacy (vary by location)
Candidates residing 50+ miles from the work location are eligible for relocation assistance.
Annual Salary: $96,000 - $120,000
Bachelor's Degree
See All 2,007+ Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs
Jump back to the full list of openings and apply to any electrical controls engineer role that fits.
Find JobsElectrical Controls Engineer Job Market
A snapshot from current openings nationwide, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Amazon88
- Johnson Controls61
- Walbridge45
- Eaton35
- M.C. Dean35
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services436
- Manufacturing421
- Energy228
- Technology & Software172
- Construction & Real Estate147
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in electrical controls engineer jobs.
- Proficiency in PLC programming using Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or equivalent platforms
- Experience designing and commissioning industrial control panels and electrical schematics
- Familiarity with SCADA, HMI development, and industrial communication protocols such as Ethernet/IP and Modbus
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, electrical technology, or a closely related field
- Knowledge of NEC, NFPA 70E, and relevant industry safety and electrical standards
- Experience with motion control systems, servo drives, or variable frequency drives
Tips for Your Electrical Controls Engineer Job Search
Tailor your resume to each PLC platform
Employers screen for specific platforms like Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Mitsubishi. List every PLC family you've programmed by brand and series so hiring managers can match your experience to their installed base without guessing.
Quantify your automation project outcomes
Vague claims about 'improving efficiency' get skipped. Describe what you automated, the scope of the system, and the measurable result, whether that's cycle time cut, downtime reduced, or output increased. Numbers make your impact concrete and memorable.
Filter openings by industry, not just title
Electrical controls engineer roles in automotive plants, water treatment facilities, and consumer goods lines use different standards and safety protocols. Targeting industries where your experience is directly transferable gets you past screeners faster than applying broadly.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists electrical controls engineer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare for a hands-on technical screen
Many employers ask you to walk through ladder logic or function block diagrams live, either on a whiteboard or in a shared screen. Practice narrating your troubleshooting process out loud, not just arriving at the right answer, because interviewers are evaluating your methodology.
Negotiate relocation terms before accepting
Controls engineer roles are often tied to specific plant sites with limited remote flexibility. If relocation is required, clarify whether the offer includes a package, a lump sum, or nothing before you accept, since this is easier to negotiate before your start date than after.
Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most electrical controls engineers?
The companies hiring the most electrical controls engineers right now include Amazon, Johnson Controls, and Walbridge, with the largest share of openings in Texas, California, and Ohio, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. Demand is consistently strong in manufacturing-heavy markets and in companies expanding automated production lines.
How many electrical controls engineer jobs are remote?
About 15% of electrical controls engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of June 2026, which is lower than many other engineering disciplines because most roles require hands-on access to physical equipment. The sub-specializations most likely to offer remote flexibility include controls software development, system architecture review, and project engineering for new installations during the design phase.
How do you become an electrical controls engineer?
Start with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or electrical engineering technology, which covers the circuit theory, programmable logic, and industrial systems fundamentals most employers require. From there, gain hands-on experience through internships, co-ops, or entry-level technician roles working alongside controls engineers. Build proficiency in at least one major PLC platform and study the NEC and NFPA 70E standards. Pursuing a Certified Automation Professional credential can strengthen your profile as you move into more senior roles.
Can you get an electrical controls engineer job with little experience?
Yes, employers regularly hire candidates with limited experience into junior or associate controls engineer roles, especially if you can demonstrate practical skills. Build a portfolio of personal or academic projects that show PLC programming, wiring diagrams, or HMI development. Technician experience in an industrial environment is a strong substitute for engineering tenure because it proves you've worked hands-on with real equipment and understand plant floor realities.
What does the electrical controls engineer interview process look like?
Most interviews begin with a recruiter or HR screen focused on your background and availability, followed by a technical interview with a hiring engineer or engineering manager. That technical round typically involves reviewing your past projects, discussing specific PLC platforms or control architectures you've worked with, and sometimes working through a ladder logic problem or troubleshooting scenario. A final round with a plant manager or team lead is common at manufacturing companies before an offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to electrical controls engineer jobs?
You can find and apply to electrical controls engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience, industry preference, and location, then apply directly to each one that fits.
See All 2,007+ Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs
Jump back to the full list of openings and apply to any electrical controls engineer role that fits.
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