Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Electrical controls engineer jobs in Virginia are in strong demand, concentrated in defense electronics, industrial automation, and power systems across a market that hires from entry-level technicians through senior principal engineers. Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads corridor account for the bulk of openings, anchored by employers like Northrop Grumman, Leidos, and Dominion Energy, all of which maintain significant engineering workforces in the state. PLC programming, HMI development, and power distribution controls are the specialties appearing most consistently in Virginia listings. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 4 of 10+ Electrical Controls Engineer jobs
Who We Are: IMS Gear is a global manufacturer headquartered in Donaueschingen, Germany, specializing in gear and transmission technology with operations across Europe, North America, and Asia. We are currently hiring at our Virginia Beach, VA location which produces Horizontal Drive Mechanisms, an auto part responsible for your car seats‘ movement. Our employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package, a supportive working environment, with excellent growth opportunities.
We are seeking an Electrical Controls Technician to optimize manufacturing processes in an assigned production area, with a focus on electrical controls and automation. Through hands-on equipment troubleshooting, continuous improvement initiatives, and machine performance management, this role improves efficiency, maintains high-quality standards, and supports operational goals and overall business success.
The ideal candidate combines a strong electrical background with hands-on experience in PLC programming, robotics, and industrial automation. This role requires a willingness to actively support maintenance activities, including troubleshooting, repairing, and installing production and automation equipment as needed.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Program, install, maintain, and troubleshoot electrical control systems, PLCs, and robotic automation equipment.
- Performs hands-on installation, repair, startup, commissioning and optimization of production and automation machinery.
- Perform hands-on troubleshooting of electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems.
- Read and interpret electrical and pneumatic schematics.
- Install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair sensors, vision/camera inspection systems, and other automated production equipment.
- Provide direct hands-on technical support for maintenance activities and production operations.
- Follow and reinforce all applicable safety rules, policies, and procedures.
- Provide on call support during critical operations, equipment failures, or project commissioning phases
Additional Knowledge a Plus
- Siemens PLC/HMI programming (TIA Portal, Step 7)
- Motoman and Epson SCARA robotics experience
- Keyence vision and inspection systems knowledge
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Associate degree or technical school graduate, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience. Electrical journeyman a plus.
- 3-5 years of experience in electrical automation and control systems within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in automated manufacturing systems.
Work Environment/Physical Demands: Split between office and manufacturing plant environment with exposure to areas (noise, machinery, and moving parts) which require the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses and slip resistant safety toe shoes.
IMS Gear is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We embrace individuals from all backgrounds and provide employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
If you are ready to contribute to our success and grow with IMS Gear, apply now to join our team!
Who We Are: IMS Gear is a global manufacturer headquartered in Donaueschingen, Germany, specializing in gear and transmission technology with operations across Europe, North America, and Asia. We are currently hiring at our Virginia Beach, VA location which produces Horizontal Drive Mechanisms, an auto part responsible for your car seats‘ movement. Our employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package, a supportive working environment, with excellent growth opportunities.
We are seeking an Electrical Controls Technician to optimize manufacturing processes in an assigned production area, with a focus on electrical controls and automation. Through hands-on equipment troubleshooting, continuous improvement initiatives, and machine performance management, this role improves efficiency, maintains high-quality standards, and supports operational goals and overall business success.
The ideal candidate combines a strong electrical background with hands-on experience in PLC programming, robotics, and industrial automation. This role requires a willingness to actively support maintenance activities, including troubleshooting, repairing, and installing production and automation equipment as needed.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Program, install, maintain, and troubleshoot electrical control systems, PLCs, and robotic automation equipment.
- Performs hands-on installation, repair, startup, commissioning and optimization of production and automation machinery.
- Perform hands-on troubleshooting of electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems.
- Read and interpret electrical and pneumatic schematics.
- Install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair sensors, vision/camera inspection systems, and other automated production equipment.
- Provide direct hands-on technical support for maintenance activities and production operations.
- Follow and reinforce all applicable safety rules, policies, and procedures.
- Provide on call support during critical operations, equipment failures, or project commissioning phases
Additional Knowledge a Plus
- Siemens PLC/HMI programming (TIA Portal, Step 7)
- Motoman and Epson SCARA robotics experience
- Keyence vision and inspection systems knowledge
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Associate degree or technical school graduate, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience. Electrical journeyman a plus.
- 3-5 years of experience in electrical automation and control systems within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in automated manufacturing systems.
Work Environment/Physical Demands: Split between office and manufacturing plant environment with exposure to areas (noise, machinery, and moving parts) which require the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses and slip resistant safety toe shoes.
IMS Gear is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We embrace individuals from all backgrounds and provide employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
If you are ready to contribute to our success and grow with IMS Gear, apply now to join our team!
See All 10 Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsElectrical Controls Engineer Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Electrical Controls Engineer Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in electrical controls engineer jobs across Virginia.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or closely related discipline required
- Proficiency with PLC programming platforms such as Allen-Bradley or Siemens
- Experience designing or troubleshooting HMI systems and SCADA architectures
- Familiarity with NEC, NFPA 70E, and applicable industrial safety standards
- Ability to read and produce electrical schematics and panel wiring diagrams
- Experience with motion control, variable frequency drives, or servo systems preferred
Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a electrical controls engineer in Virginia?
Most Virginia employers require a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or electrical engineering technology as the foundation. Virginia does not mandate a state license specifically for controls engineers in private industry, but engineers who offer services directly to the public must hold a Professional Engineer license issued through the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. Candidates with certifications from organizations like RETA or ISA, or with documented PLC and SCADA project experience, tend to advance through hiring processes faster than those without.
How much do electrical controls engineers make in Virginia?
Electrical controls engineers in Virginia earn a median of about $119,030 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $80,320 for the lowest 10% to over $173,400 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire electrical controls engineers in Virginia?
Employers hiring electrical controls engineers in Virginia right now include Amazon, ONENERGY, and CPG Beyond, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Virginia's concentration of defense contractors, power utilities, and advanced manufacturing facilities means demand is distributed across both large prime contractors in Northern Virginia and industrial operations throughout the Richmond and Shenandoah Valley regions.
Which Virginia cities have the most electrical controls engineer jobs?
Arlington, Virginia Beach, and Ashburn have the most electrical controls engineer openings in Virginia right now. Northern Virginia's density of defense and systems integration contractors drives volume there, while Richmond and Hampton Roads reflect demand from power utilities like Dominion Energy and the region's shipbuilding and industrial manufacturing base, making both corridors genuine hiring centers rather than secondary markets.
Are there remote electrical controls engineer jobs in Virginia?
Yes, but they're rare. Controls engineering is fundamentally a hands-on discipline requiring physical access to panels, PLCs, and equipment, which limits true remote work significantly. About 25% of electrical controls engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and most of those involve design, documentation, or software configuration work rather than commissioning or field troubleshooting.
How can I get hired as a electrical controls engineer in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to associate controls engineer or controls technician roles at Virginia's defense contractors and utilities, which regularly onboard new graduates. Northrop Grumman and Leidos both run structured new-graduate engineering programs in Northern Virginia. Candidates who complete an internship with a Virginia systems integrator or industrial manufacturer, earn an ISA Certified Control Systems Technician credential, and build a portfolio of PLC lab projects consistently outperform applicants who rely on a degree alone.
Where can I find and apply to electrical controls engineer jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to electrical controls engineer jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across defense, utilities, manufacturing, and systems integration. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to each one.
See All 10 Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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