Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs in Tennessee
Electrical controls engineer jobs in Tennessee are in strong demand, with active hiring concentrated in automotive manufacturing, industrial automation, and energy production at experience levels from entry-level technicians through senior systems engineers. Nashville, Chattanooga, and Memphis are the largest hiring metros, anchored by established employers such as Bridgestone Americas, Tennessee Valley Authority, and Volkswagen Group of America. The most sought-after specialties in the state include PLC programming, HMI development, and motion control systems for high-volume manufacturing environments. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 11+ Electrical Controls Engineer jobs
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Electrical Design & System Architecture
- Own the design and specification of electrical components and subsystems, including motors, control boards, VFD interfaces, wiring harnesses, power supplies, and communication modules.
- Define and document electrical architectures for fan systems, including power distribution, control, protection, and communication topologies.
- Create and maintain schematics, wiring diagrams, PCB documentation, and BOMs; review PCB layouts for best practices in power electronics, EMC, creepage/clearance, and manufacturability.
- Apply sound engineering principles and DFx (DFM, DFT, DFA) to deliver designs that are reliable, safe, and compliant with regulatory standards.
- Lead and participate in formal design reviews with electrical, mechanical, firmware, manufacturing, and compliance teams.
Motor Drives, VFD-Integration & Control
- Lead integration and tuning of VFD-driven systems for HVLS and motor applications.
- Collaborate closely with embedded/firmware engineers on motor-control strategies and hardware interface requirements.
- Analyze and resolve complex issues related to inrush current, overcurrent faults, EMI/EMC interactions, harmonics, and thermal performance.
- Evaluate new drive technologies and components for performance, cost, and long-term reliability.
Testing, Validation & Compliance Leadership
- Define and execute test plans for electrical performance, reliability, safety, environmental, and system-level behavior.
- Drive DOE airflow testing strategy, electrical efficiency validation, and regulatory compliance.
- Lead EMC/EMI pre-compliance and compliance efforts in collaboration with internal and external labs.
- Ensure designs meet UL, IEC, DOE, FCC, and internal quality standards; interpret data and drive corrective actions.
Networking, Communications & Systems Integration
- Architect and implement robust industrial communication interfaces (Modbus RTU/TCP, BACnet, EtherCAT preferred).
- Specify and guide development of communication modules and translator PCBs.
- Support integration with HMIs, VFDs, and supervisory systems to ensure reliable system-level behavior.
Product Development, Ownership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Serve as electrical engineering lead on assigned projects.
- Plan electrical tasks, provide updates, and assess risks.
- Work with suppliers and manufacturing to qualify components, resolve production issues, and support cost reduction initiatives.
- Mentor junior engineers and technicians.
Troubleshooting, Lab Work & Continuous Improvement
- Lead root-cause analysis for issues in development, validation, or field environments.
- Define and refine test methods, fixtures, and automation.
- Maintain high standards for data integrity, documentation, and lab safety.
- Seek opportunities to simplify designs, reduce cost, and improve robustness.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Deep understanding of electrical engineering concepts, including AC/DC power conversion, motors, and protection.
- Strong experience with industrial communication protocols (Modbus, BACnet, EtherCAT).
- Proficiency with schematic/PCB tools (Altium, OrCAD).
- Hands-on skills with lab instrumentation (oscilloscopes, analyzers, DAQ).
- Experience with EMC/EMI design and compliance.
- Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills.
- Self-driven, organized, and capable of owning deliverables.
- Experience mentoring junior engineers is a plus.
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering required;
- Typically 5–8+ years of electrical design experience.
- Proven track record taking complex electromechanical products from concept to production.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to work in lab/manufacturing environments and lift up to 50 lbs.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Electrical Design & System Architecture
- Own the design and specification of electrical components and subsystems, including motors, control boards, VFD interfaces, wiring harnesses, power supplies, and communication modules.
- Define and document electrical architectures for fan systems, including power distribution, control, protection, and communication topologies.
- Create and maintain schematics, wiring diagrams, PCB documentation, and BOMs; review PCB layouts for best practices in power electronics, EMC, creepage/clearance, and manufacturability.
- Apply sound engineering principles and DFx (DFM, DFT, DFA) to deliver designs that are reliable, safe, and compliant with regulatory standards.
- Lead and participate in formal design reviews with electrical, mechanical, firmware, manufacturing, and compliance teams.
Motor Drives, VFD-Integration & Control
- Lead integration and tuning of VFD-driven systems for HVLS and motor applications.
- Collaborate closely with embedded/firmware engineers on motor-control strategies and hardware interface requirements.
- Analyze and resolve complex issues related to inrush current, overcurrent faults, EMI/EMC interactions, harmonics, and thermal performance.
- Evaluate new drive technologies and components for performance, cost, and long-term reliability.
Testing, Validation & Compliance Leadership
- Define and execute test plans for electrical performance, reliability, safety, environmental, and system-level behavior.
- Drive DOE airflow testing strategy, electrical efficiency validation, and regulatory compliance.
- Lead EMC/EMI pre-compliance and compliance efforts in collaboration with internal and external labs.
- Ensure designs meet UL, IEC, DOE, FCC, and internal quality standards; interpret data and drive corrective actions.
Networking, Communications & Systems Integration
- Architect and implement robust industrial communication interfaces (Modbus RTU/TCP, BACnet, EtherCAT preferred).
- Specify and guide development of communication modules and translator PCBs.
- Support integration with HMIs, VFDs, and supervisory systems to ensure reliable system-level behavior.
Product Development, Ownership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Serve as electrical engineering lead on assigned projects.
- Plan electrical tasks, provide updates, and assess risks.
- Work with suppliers and manufacturing to qualify components, resolve production issues, and support cost reduction initiatives.
- Mentor junior engineers and technicians.
Troubleshooting, Lab Work & Continuous Improvement
- Lead root-cause analysis for issues in development, validation, or field environments.
- Define and refine test methods, fixtures, and automation.
- Maintain high standards for data integrity, documentation, and lab safety.
- Seek opportunities to simplify designs, reduce cost, and improve robustness.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Deep understanding of electrical engineering concepts, including AC/DC power conversion, motors, and protection.
- Strong experience with industrial communication protocols (Modbus, BACnet, EtherCAT).
- Proficiency with schematic/PCB tools (Altium, OrCAD).
- Hands-on skills with lab instrumentation (oscilloscopes, analyzers, DAQ).
- Experience with EMC/EMI design and compliance.
- Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills.
- Self-driven, organized, and capable of owning deliverables.
- Experience mentoring junior engineers is a plus.
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering required;
- Typically 5–8+ years of electrical design experience.
- Proven track record taking complex electromechanical products from concept to production.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to work in lab/manufacturing environments and lift up to 50 lbs.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 11 Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsElectrical Controls Engineer Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Electrical Controls Engineer Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Automotive
- Manufacturing
- Electronics & Hardware
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in electrical controls engineer jobs across Tennessee.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or electrical engineering technology from an accredited program
- Proficiency in PLC programming platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Mitsubishi
- Experience designing or commissioning HMI and SCADA systems in industrial environments
- Familiarity with NEC, NFPA 70E, and industrial wiring standards applied in Tennessee facilities
- Ability to read and develop electrical schematics, panel layouts, and control system documentation
- Experience with motion control, servo drives, or variable frequency drives in manufacturing settings
Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a electrical controls engineer in Tennessee?
Most employers in Tennessee require a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or electrical engineering technology from an ABET-accredited program. Tennessee does not require a state license for engineers working in private industry, but candidates who want to offer services to the public can pursue licensure through the Tennessee State Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering and Principles and Practice of Engineering exams. Practical PLC and controls experience gained through internships or co-ops significantly strengthens candidacy.
How much do electrical controls engineers make in Tennessee?
Electrical controls engineers in Tennessee earn a median of about $104,450 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $73,850 for the lowest 10% to over $166,210 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire electrical controls engineers in Tennessee?
Employers hiring electrical controls engineers in Tennessee right now include Akima, BNH, and DENSO, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Tennessee's dense concentration of automotive assembly plants, chemical producers, and utility infrastructure means sustained hiring across both large corporations and regional systems integrators.
Which Tennessee cities have the most electrical controls engineer jobs?
Oak Ridge, Arnold AFB, and Smyrna have the most electrical controls engineer openings in Tennessee. Nashville drives volume through its growing advanced manufacturing and healthcare equipment sectors, Chattanooga is anchored by Volkswagen's assembly operations and its supplier network, and Memphis sees steady demand from logistics automation and large-scale food and beverage production facilities operating in the region.
Are there remote electrical controls engineer jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, but they're rare. Electrical controls engineering is inherently hands-on, requiring on-site commissioning, equipment troubleshooting, and panel work that cannot be performed remotely. About 0% of electrical controls engineer openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions tend to cover design, documentation, or applications engineering tasks rather than field or plant-floor responsibilities.
How can I get hired as a electrical controls engineer in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for an electrical engineering technician or controls technician role at one of Tennessee's large automotive or manufacturing employers, which regularly hire candidates with associate degrees or fresh bachelor's degrees and provide on-the-job PLC training. Tennessee Valley Authority and Bridgestone Americas run structured early-career and co-op programs that transition participants into full engineer roles. Building a hands-on portfolio using low-cost PLC simulation software and pursuing a Certified Control Systems Technician credential from ISA gives candidates a measurable edge over other applicants without field experience.
Where can I find and apply to electrical controls engineer jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to electrical controls engineer jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current Tennessee openings updated regularly. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly through each listing.
See All 11 Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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