Lead Controls Engineer Jobs
Lead controls engineer jobs are open across manufacturing, oil and gas, utilities, and defense, at levels from senior controls engineer to principal and staff, with specializations in PLC programming, SCADA systems, and distributed control systems. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 244+ Lead Controls Engineer jobs
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Midwest Fire is a Stellar Company
EMPLOYMENT
Full-Time Position
DEPARTMENT
Engineering
LOCATION
Luverne, Minnesota
REPORTS TO
Vice President of Operations
At Midwest Fire, a Stellar company, the Engineering Lead - Controls and Electrical Development prioritizes, manages and performs work on control and electrical systems for new product development projects. The position researches, develops, tests and implements emerging technologies to enhance current products and support entirely new products.
Summary
- Perform field and technical research on existing and emerging technologies for integration into Stellar products.
- Manage the allocation of departmental personnel across duties and projects.
- Support design engineering activities requiring expertise in electric power and control systems.
- Document electrical and control designs for use by production and other departments.
- Assist in prioritizing work and lead the group in delivering designs on time.
- Review designs against specifications to ensure compliance with required features and performance.
- Ensure designed equipment conforms to regulatory requirements and applicable industry standards.
- Coordinate with other departments to align engineering projects with cross-functional timelines.
- Assist with hiring, training and the professional and technical development of engineering personnel
- Perform miscellaneous duties and projects as assigned and required.
- Follow all safety rules in the company employee handbook and supplemental safety training, and continuously promote a culture of working safely.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or a related field.
- Minimum of five years of experience in an engineering-related role.
- Minimum of two years of experience in a supervisory or leadership role.
- Ability to plan and organize departmental work schedules with an emphasis on agility and value delivery.
- Focus on innovation and a drive to develop or adapt new technology for Stellar Industries.
- Personal drive to maximize value through the development of cutting-edge products.
- General knowledge of Microsoft 365 products, with proficiency in Word and Excel.
- Ability to read and accurately interpret engineering drawings and other technical documents.
- Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally with individuals from production through corporate leadership.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting and complex problem-solving skills.
- Working knowledge of electrical and control systems.
- Knowledge of ERP software and associated systems preferred.
- Working knowledge of 2D and 3D design software preferred.
- Knowledge and experience in Agile project management or Scrum methodology.
- Ability and willingness to work independently and in a team environment.
Travel and Physical Requirements
Regular overnight travel, including international travel, is required. A valid driver license is required. The position requires regular standing, walking and use of hands to feel or handle objects, tools and controls, as well as frequent verbal communication. Company-sponsored continuing education and training may be required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions.
#hc273320
Build a Career. Build Something That Matters.
Midwest Fire is a Stellar Company
EMPLOYMENT
Full-Time Position
DEPARTMENT
Engineering
LOCATION
Luverne, Minnesota
REPORTS TO
Vice President of Operations
At Midwest Fire, a Stellar company, the Engineering Lead - Controls and Electrical Development prioritizes, manages and performs work on control and electrical systems for new product development projects. The position researches, develops, tests and implements emerging technologies to enhance current products and support entirely new products.
Summary
- Perform field and technical research on existing and emerging technologies for integration into Stellar products.
- Manage the allocation of departmental personnel across duties and projects.
- Support design engineering activities requiring expertise in electric power and control systems.
- Document electrical and control designs for use by production and other departments.
- Assist in prioritizing work and lead the group in delivering designs on time.
- Review designs against specifications to ensure compliance with required features and performance.
- Ensure designed equipment conforms to regulatory requirements and applicable industry standards.
- Coordinate with other departments to align engineering projects with cross-functional timelines.
- Assist with hiring, training and the professional and technical development of engineering personnel
- Perform miscellaneous duties and projects as assigned and required.
- Follow all safety rules in the company employee handbook and supplemental safety training, and continuously promote a culture of working safely.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or a related field.
- Minimum of five years of experience in an engineering-related role.
- Minimum of two years of experience in a supervisory or leadership role.
- Ability to plan and organize departmental work schedules with an emphasis on agility and value delivery.
- Focus on innovation and a drive to develop or adapt new technology for Stellar Industries.
- Personal drive to maximize value through the development of cutting-edge products.
- General knowledge of Microsoft 365 products, with proficiency in Word and Excel.
- Ability to read and accurately interpret engineering drawings and other technical documents.
- Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally with individuals from production through corporate leadership.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting and complex problem-solving skills.
- Working knowledge of electrical and control systems.
- Knowledge of ERP software and associated systems preferred.
- Working knowledge of 2D and 3D design software preferred.
- Knowledge and experience in Agile project management or Scrum methodology.
- Ability and willingness to work independently and in a team environment.
Travel and Physical Requirements
Regular overnight travel, including international travel, is required. A valid driver license is required. The position requires regular standing, walking and use of hands to feel or handle objects, tools and controls, as well as frequent verbal communication. Company-sponsored continuing education and training may be required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions.
#hc273320
Lead Controls Engineer Jobs by Experience Level
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Find Lead Controls Engineer JobsLead Controls Engineer Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Sargent & Lundy19
- JPMorganChase16
- Thermo Systems16
- Eaton9
- GE Vernova6
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Construction & Real Estate
- Investment & Asset Management
- Energy
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in lead controls engineer jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or controls engineering or a related field
- Hands-on programming experience with PLCs such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Modicon
- Proficiency with SCADA or DCS platforms including FactoryTalk, Ignition, or DeltaV
- Five or more years of controls engineering experience with at least two in a lead or senior role
- Familiarity with industrial networking protocols such as EtherNet/IP, Profibus, or Modbus
- Professional Engineer license or progress toward PE licensure preferred for senior-level roles
Tips for Your Lead Controls Engineer Job Search
Tailor your resume to control systems platforms
Hiring managers scan for specific platforms like Siemens TIA Portal, Rockwell Studio 5000, or DeltaV. List the exact software versions you've used and the industries you've deployed them in, not just the platform names.
Highlight your functional safety credentials
Many lead controls roles in process industries require familiarity with IEC 61511 or IEC 61508. If you hold a TÃœV Functional Safety Engineer certification or have completed SIL assessments, put that near the top of your resume.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists lead controls engineer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Filter openings by industry vertical and site type
Controls work in a pharmaceutical cleanroom differs sharply from a water treatment plant or an automotive assembly line. Target postings in your strongest vertical so your past project experience maps directly to what the hiring team needs.
Prepare a system architecture walkthrough for interviews
Lead controls engineer interviews frequently include a live design or troubleshooting exercise. Practice walking through a control loop or network topology out loud, explaining your hardware choices, communication protocols, and failure-mode decisions as you go.
Negotiate scope alongside compensation
At the lead level, your leverage includes project ownership and budget authority, not just base pay. Before accepting an offer, clarify which systems you'll own end-to-end and whether the role includes vendor selection or only implementation.
Lead Controls Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most lead controls engineers?
The most active employers for lead controls engineers right now are Sargent & Lundy, JPMorganChase, and Thermo Systems, and the most openings are in Texas, New York, and Ohio, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is especially strong in process-intensive sectors like chemical manufacturing, oil and gas, and utilities.
How many lead controls engineer jobs are remote?
About 64% of lead controls engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most controls work. Remote and hybrid arrangements are most common for roles focused on SCADA architecture, HMI development, or controls systems design where site presence is not required daily.
How do you become a lead controls engineer?
Start with a degree in electrical, mechanical, or controls engineering, then build hands-on PLC and SCADA experience across at least two industries. Progress from individual contributor roles to positions where you lead commissioning projects or mentor junior engineers. Earning a Professional Engineer license and a functional safety credential strengthens your candidacy for lead-level openings significantly.
Can you get a lead controls engineer job with limited experience?
Moving directly into a lead role with little experience is difficult because the title implies ownership of system design and project delivery. The most practical path is to take a senior controls engineer role, lead a full project lifecycle from design through commissioning, and document the outcomes clearly so hiring managers can see your readiness for a lead position.
What does the lead controls engineer interview process look like?
The process typically starts with a recruiter screen followed by a technical phone interview covering controls fundamentals, PLC architecture, and network topology. A hiring panel interview usually includes a design or troubleshooting exercise where you walk through a real or hypothetical control system. Final rounds often involve a site visit and conversations with project managers or operations leaders.
Where can I find and apply to lead controls engineer jobs?
You can find and apply to lead controls engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your industry background and technical stack, then apply directly to each one that fits your experience.
See All 244+ Lead Controls Engineer Jobs
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