Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs in Texas
Electrical controls engineer jobs in Texas are among the most active in the country, concentrated in oil and gas processing, petrochemical manufacturing, semiconductor fabrication, and heavy industrial automation, with openings at every level from entry-level technician-track positions through senior principal engineers. Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Austin are the primary hiring corridors, anchored by major employers such as ExxonMobil, Texas Instruments, and Emerson Automation Solutions, all of which maintain large engineering workforces across the state. The most in-demand specialties right now are PLC and SCADA programming, safety instrumented systems, and motion control for automated production lines. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 4 of 42+ Electrical Controls Engineer jobs
- Conduct continuous surveillance, analysis and management of instruments, medium/low voltage electrical equipment, and control systems: data analysis of to ensure that processes are running efficiently and safely.
- Spec out instrumentation, medium/low voltage electrical and control systems, selecting proper instruments, sensors, medium/low voltage electrical equipment, and/or control devices for onshore facilities.
- Oversee the installation and setup of IC&E equipment and systems, ensuring they function correctly and meet safety and regulatory standards.
- Takes part in area Risk Assessment, HAZOP's, Hazard Hunts, Critical Operating Parameter Reviews.
- Take part in incident investigations.
- Support Opportunity management-identification of opportunities and development of scope of work for projects.
- Ensure that instrumentation, electrical and control systems adhere to safety and environmental regulations to prevent accidents and minimize environmental impact.
- Collect and analyze data from instrumentation, medium/low voltage electrical and control systems to improve processes and identify areas for improvement and optimization.
- Recommend and implement upgrades to instrumentation, electrical and/or control systems to keep them up to date with industry standards and technology.
- SHE (Safety, Health, and Environment): Implementing and enforcing safety protocols and procedures to protect personnel, equipment, and the environment.
- Provide operations support for changes, repairs & alterations of all plant pressure equipment leveraging off Management of Change process.
- Work with multidisciplinary teams, including facilities engineers, machinery engineers, operations and maintenance personnel, to achieve project objectives.
- Ability to troubleshoot, diagnose and rectify instrumentation, medium/low voltage electrical equipment and control systems related issues.
- Provide shutdown engineering support.
- Provide brownfield upgrade/greenfield projects engineering support. Preparation / review of IC&E engineering deliverables (one-line diagrams, Cause & Effect diagrams, Controls Narrative, wiring diagrams, installation details, instrument index, cable schedule, etc) performed both internally and by Contractors and sub-contractors to ensure that work is being executed in accordance with Company specifications, company standards, and regulatory requirements.
- B.S. in Electrical Engineering or related engineering specialty, or equivalent professional experience
-
Strong knowledge of discipline design standards, specifications, codes, and appropriate safety criteria:
- ISA
- National Electrical Code
- Application of regulations and standards applicable in the U.S. (ISA84, API RP 551, NEC)
- NETA MTS for electrical maintenance and inspection
- Applying NFPA 70E Electrical Safety in the Workplace (Arc Flash)
- Etc.
- Ability to adapt to tight deadlines, heavy workloads, and frequent changes in priorities
- Proficient in Microsoft Office suite software programs
- Read, write, and speak fluent English, especially as it applies to technical and business communications
- Strong knowledge of equipment maintenance and maintenance programs
- Ability to read and review P&IDs and electrical drawings. One-line diagrams, panel wiring diagram, instrument loop wiring diagrams
- Project management
- Retrofitting/upgrading PLCs, DCS, F&G, and other protective systems
- Application of instruments in hazardous locations
- Selection and application of Pressure/Flow/Level measurement systems
- Troubleshooting instrument loops, controls, and tuning problems
- Low Voltage/Medium Voltage Motor control systems (contactors, smart overloads, soft starts, VFDs) and control methods/communication pathways
- Selection & specification of LV/MV transformers, switchgear, protective relays, motor control centers, variable speed drives, motors and power cables
- Familiar with Networking/field communications: Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP/IP, Modbus RTU/RS-485/RS-232. MQTT, Radio and fiber optic communications, managed network switches, etc.
- Power system and generation equipment maintenance and troubleshooting
- Familiar with Protective relay setting, testing, and coordination
- Application of electrical equipment and circuits in hazardous locations
- Troubleshooting electrical equipment and distribution problems
- Familiar with analytics and visualization software applications such as Ignition, SEEQ and Spotfire including development of dashboards for operations troubleshooting and support
- SCADA/DCS/PLC implementation and support
- Demonstrated work experience in Upstream Oil & Gas Production support
- Must meet conditional job offer requirements
- Conduct continuous surveillance, analysis and management of instruments, medium/low voltage electrical equipment, and control systems: data analysis of to ensure that processes are running efficiently and safely.
- Spec out instrumentation, medium/low voltage electrical and control systems, selecting proper instruments, sensors, medium/low voltage electrical equipment, and/or control devices for onshore facilities.
- Oversee the installation and setup of IC&E equipment and systems, ensuring they function correctly and meet safety and regulatory standards.
- Takes part in area Risk Assessment, HAZOP's, Hazard Hunts, Critical Operating Parameter Reviews.
- Take part in incident investigations.
- Support Opportunity management-identification of opportunities and development of scope of work for projects.
- Ensure that instrumentation, electrical and control systems adhere to safety and environmental regulations to prevent accidents and minimize environmental impact.
- Collect and analyze data from instrumentation, medium/low voltage electrical and control systems to improve processes and identify areas for improvement and optimization.
- Recommend and implement upgrades to instrumentation, electrical and/or control systems to keep them up to date with industry standards and technology.
- SHE (Safety, Health, and Environment): Implementing and enforcing safety protocols and procedures to protect personnel, equipment, and the environment.
- Provide operations support for changes, repairs & alterations of all plant pressure equipment leveraging off Management of Change process.
- Work with multidisciplinary teams, including facilities engineers, machinery engineers, operations and maintenance personnel, to achieve project objectives.
- Ability to troubleshoot, diagnose and rectify instrumentation, medium/low voltage electrical equipment and control systems related issues.
- Provide shutdown engineering support.
- Provide brownfield upgrade/greenfield projects engineering support. Preparation / review of IC&E engineering deliverables (one-line diagrams, Cause & Effect diagrams, Controls Narrative, wiring diagrams, installation details, instrument index, cable schedule, etc) performed both internally and by Contractors and sub-contractors to ensure that work is being executed in accordance with Company specifications, company standards, and regulatory requirements.
- B.S. in Electrical Engineering or related engineering specialty, or equivalent professional experience
-
Strong knowledge of discipline design standards, specifications, codes, and appropriate safety criteria:
- ISA
- National Electrical Code
- Application of regulations and standards applicable in the U.S. (ISA84, API RP 551, NEC)
- NETA MTS for electrical maintenance and inspection
- Applying NFPA 70E Electrical Safety in the Workplace (Arc Flash)
- Etc.
- Ability to adapt to tight deadlines, heavy workloads, and frequent changes in priorities
- Proficient in Microsoft Office suite software programs
- Read, write, and speak fluent English, especially as it applies to technical and business communications
- Strong knowledge of equipment maintenance and maintenance programs
- Ability to read and review P&IDs and electrical drawings. One-line diagrams, panel wiring diagram, instrument loop wiring diagrams
- Project management
- Retrofitting/upgrading PLCs, DCS, F&G, and other protective systems
- Application of instruments in hazardous locations
- Selection and application of Pressure/Flow/Level measurement systems
- Troubleshooting instrument loops, controls, and tuning problems
- Low Voltage/Medium Voltage Motor control systems (contactors, smart overloads, soft starts, VFDs) and control methods/communication pathways
- Selection & specification of LV/MV transformers, switchgear, protective relays, motor control centers, variable speed drives, motors and power cables
- Familiar with Networking/field communications: Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP/IP, Modbus RTU/RS-485/RS-232. MQTT, Radio and fiber optic communications, managed network switches, etc.
- Power system and generation equipment maintenance and troubleshooting
- Familiar with Protective relay setting, testing, and coordination
- Application of electrical equipment and circuits in hazardous locations
- Troubleshooting electrical equipment and distribution problems
- Familiar with analytics and visualization software applications such as Ignition, SEEQ and Spotfire including development of dashboards for operations troubleshooting and support
- SCADA/DCS/PLC implementation and support
- Demonstrated work experience in Upstream Oil & Gas Production support
- Must meet conditional job offer requirements
See All 42 Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs in Texas
Find roles in Texas that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsElectrical Controls Engineer Jobs by City in Texas
Where Texas roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Electrical Controls Engineer Job Market in Texas
A snapshot from current Texas openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Energy
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Food & Beverage
- Construction & Real Estate
What Texas Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in electrical controls engineer jobs across Texas.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, controls engineering, or a closely related discipline
- Hands-on experience programming Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Mitsubishi PLCs
- Proficiency designing and troubleshooting SCADA and HMI systems in industrial environments
- Familiarity with NEC, NFPA 70E, and ISA safety standards common in Texas facilities
- Experience reading and producing electrical schematics using AutoCAD Electrical or EPLAN
- Professional Engineer licensure through TBPE or active progress toward licensure preferred for senior roles
Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs in Texas: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a electrical controls engineer in Texas?
Start with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, controls engineering, or a related field from an ABET-accredited program. Texas does not require a license to work as a controls engineer in most private-sector industrial roles, but senior and lead positions increasingly prefer or require licensure through the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam early builds your path toward a PE credential and makes you more competitive at large Texas refineries, utilities, and EPC firms.
How much do electrical controls engineers make in Texas?
Electrical controls engineers in Texas earn a median of about $129,450 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $76,120 for the lowest 10% to over $210,160 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire electrical controls engineers in Texas?
Employers hiring electrical controls engineers in Texas right now include Tesla, DWS Energy, and VANGUARD MAINTENANCE & ELECTRICAL, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Texas's concentration of petrochemical plants along the Gulf Coast and semiconductor fabs in the Austin corridor means demand stays consistent even when other engineering disciplines slow down.
Which Texas cities have the most electrical controls engineer jobs?
Austin, Dallas, and Houston hold the most electrical controls engineer openings in Texas. Houston dominates because of the Gulf Coast petrochemical and energy infrastructure that requires continuous controls staffing, while Dallas-Fort Worth draws demand from food and beverage manufacturing, defense contractors, and automation integrators, and Austin's growing semiconductor and advanced manufacturing base adds a strong secondary market for PLC and motion control specialists.
Are there remote electrical controls engineer jobs in Texas?
Yes, but they're rare. Controls engineering is fundamentally hands-on work tied to physical equipment on plant floors, so fully remote positions are the exception rather than the rule. About 23% of electrical controls engineer openings tied to Texas are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those tend to be system design, documentation, or simulation roles that don't require direct machine access.
How can I get hired as a electrical controls engineer in Texas with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a co-op or internship at a Texas-based EPC firm or automation integrator while completing your degree, as companies such as Wood, Jacobs, and regional system integrators regularly convert program participants to full-time roles. Entry-level titles like controls technician, instrumentation and controls technician, and junior automation engineer are common lateral stepping stones at Gulf Coast refineries and chemical plants. Earning a Rockwell or Siemens PLC certification before graduating gives candidates a concrete technical credential that Texas industrial employers respond to in screening.
Where can I find and apply to electrical controls engineer jobs in Texas?
You can find and apply to electrical controls engineer jobs in Texas on Migrate Mate, which lists current Texas openings across Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and smaller industrial markets statewide. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty and apply directly to the employer.
See All 42 Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs in Texas
Find roles in Texas that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs