Senior Control Engineer Jobs
Senior Control Engineer jobs are open across oil and gas, manufacturing, utilities, and defense, from mid-career to principal and staff level, with specializations in PLC programming, distributed control systems, and process automation. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
Find Senior Control Engineer JobsLooking for remote work? View remote senior control engineer jobs →Overview
Showing 5 of 532+ Senior Control Engineer jobs
As a member of a multi-disciplined project team, this position will offer you the opportunity to utilize and expand your background in Instrumentation and Controls Engineering and PLC/HMI design by performing the following duties:
- Work on project teams with other discipline engineers involved in the design of new Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) based control systems, Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS), and other industrial control system platforms
- Prepare specifications and design media for the procurement and implementation of software, instrumentation, and control system platforms
- Through mentoring, classroom-style technical sessions, and on-the-job training in our Automation Lab, you will increase your knowledge and skills in Automation/Control Systems Engineering
- Develop your career via peer learning by way of S&L's systems of process and associated "Communities of Practice"
- I&C Field Engineering support during construction and acceptance testing
- Troubleshoot and recommend electrical and control system hardware and software solutions
- PLC/HMI Programming, Software V&V and Documentation
- Travel to client offices and project sites, as required
Must be a U.S. Citizen; Dual citizenship with a country other than the U.S. does not qualify.
Essential skills and experience:
- Must be able to obtain US Government security clearance
- BS degree in engineering from an ABET accredited program; MS degree preferred
- 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in instrumentation and controls or automation and control systems engineering
- Experienced with designing, programming, documenting, and/or testing automated machinery or processes at industrial facilities
- Experienced with industrial communication design (Ethernet IP is preferred and a familiarity with Modbus and Profibus is a plus)
- Experienced with producing P&IDs, Control System Narratives, I/O Lists, Cause and Effect or Logic Diagrams, Wiring Diagrams, Factory Acceptance Test Procedures, and Software documentation including O&M manuals
- Professional Engineer (PE) License
- Experienced with programming Rockwell RSLogix 5000 and RSView
- Fabrication, Construction, and Instrumentation & Control System Testing
- You are expected to lead others in taking engineering problems from issue to solution by setting expectations for using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
- Leaders in these roles often direct automation and process-improvement work, for example, how teams automate calculations, summarize technical documents, or generate design documentation and guiding when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked.
- Overseeing engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs, is valued but not required.
- We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that enables effective oversight of automation and agentic AI-enabled engineering workflows.
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & Wellness
- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
As a member of a multi-disciplined project team, this position will offer you the opportunity to utilize and expand your background in Instrumentation and Controls Engineering and PLC/HMI design by performing the following duties:
- Work on project teams with other discipline engineers involved in the design of new Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) based control systems, Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS), and other industrial control system platforms
- Prepare specifications and design media for the procurement and implementation of software, instrumentation, and control system platforms
- Through mentoring, classroom-style technical sessions, and on-the-job training in our Automation Lab, you will increase your knowledge and skills in Automation/Control Systems Engineering
- Develop your career via peer learning by way of S&L's systems of process and associated "Communities of Practice"
- I&C Field Engineering support during construction and acceptance testing
- Troubleshoot and recommend electrical and control system hardware and software solutions
- PLC/HMI Programming, Software V&V and Documentation
- Travel to client offices and project sites, as required
Must be a U.S. Citizen; Dual citizenship with a country other than the U.S. does not qualify.
Essential skills and experience:
- Must be able to obtain US Government security clearance
- BS degree in engineering from an ABET accredited program; MS degree preferred
- 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in instrumentation and controls or automation and control systems engineering
- Experienced with designing, programming, documenting, and/or testing automated machinery or processes at industrial facilities
- Experienced with industrial communication design (Ethernet IP is preferred and a familiarity with Modbus and Profibus is a plus)
- Experienced with producing P&IDs, Control System Narratives, I/O Lists, Cause and Effect or Logic Diagrams, Wiring Diagrams, Factory Acceptance Test Procedures, and Software documentation including O&M manuals
- Professional Engineer (PE) License
- Experienced with programming Rockwell RSLogix 5000 and RSView
- Fabrication, Construction, and Instrumentation & Control System Testing
- You are expected to lead others in taking engineering problems from issue to solution by setting expectations for using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
- Leaders in these roles often direct automation and process-improvement work, for example, how teams automate calculations, summarize technical documents, or generate design documentation and guiding when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked.
- Overseeing engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs, is valued but not required.
- We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that enables effective oversight of automation and agentic AI-enabled engineering workflows.
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & Wellness
- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
Senior Control Engineer Jobs by Experience Level
Top Cities Hiring Senior Control Engineers
Explore senior control engineer openings in the cities hiring most right now.
See All 532+ Senior Control Engineer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Senior Control Engineer JobsSenior Control Engineer Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Thermo Systems32T
- Northrop Grumman27N
- Raytheon13R
- Lockheed Martin13L
- Alexander & Schmidt8A
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services41
- Manufacturing27
- Technology & Software17
- Electronics & Hardware12
- Energy10
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior control engineer jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical, chemical, or mechanical engineering
- Five or more years of hands-on control system design and implementation experience
- Proficiency with PLC programming in ladder logic, function block, or structured text
- Experience with DCS platforms such as DeltaV, Honeywell Experion, or ABB 800xA
- Familiarity with P&IDs, instrument datasheets, and ISA standards
- Professional Engineer license or progress toward PE certification preferred
Tips for Your Senior Control Engineer Job Search
Tailor your resume to control platforms
Hiring managers scan for specific platforms like Rockwell, Siemens, or ABB before reading anything else. List the DCS and SCADA systems you've configured by name, version where relevant, and the industries you applied them in.
Quantify system scope on project bullets
Vague bullets like 'led control system upgrade' don't differentiate you. Call out I/O counts, loop quantities, or plant throughput impact so reviewers can gauge the scale of work you've owned independently.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists senior control 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 functional safety requirements
Roles requiring SIL assessments or IEC 61511 experience are a distinct hiring category. If you hold TÜV FSE or FSP certification, search specifically for safety instrumented systems or SIS roles so your credentials move you to the top of a shorter list.
Prepare a technical portfolio before interviews
Many panels ask you to walk through a past control narrative or P&ID you designed. Having a sanitized one-page example of a real project, with functional description and logic summary, makes that conversation concrete and credible.
Negotiate scope before accepting the offer
Ask whether the role owns commissioning through startup or hands off at FAT, because that gap significantly affects your day-to-day and your resume's next entry. Clarifying it early prevents a mismatch that's hard to correct after you start.
Senior Control Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most senior control engineers?
The companies hiring the most senior control engineers right now include Thermo Systems, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon, with the largest share of openings in California, Texas, and Colorado, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Demand is consistently strongest in oil and gas, chemicals, and large-scale manufacturing.
How many senior control engineer jobs are remote?
About 42% of senior control engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of August 2026, which is lower than most engineering disciplines because the role often requires on-site commissioning and plant access. Sub-areas like control system architecture review, documentation, and FAT support are the most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements.
How do you become a senior control engineer?
You typically start with a degree in electrical, chemical, or mechanical engineering and spend several years as a controls or instrumentation engineer working on PLC and DCS configuration, loop tuning, and FAT support. From there, you build toward senior roles by owning full project life cycles, leading commissioning efforts independently, and developing expertise in a recognized platform or industry vertical such as oil and gas or pharmaceuticals.
Can you get hired as a senior control engineer with limited experience?
Direct promotion from a junior controls role is the most common path, but candidates moving from adjacent disciplines like process engineering or instrumentation can bridge the gap by demonstrating hands-on PLC or DCS configuration work, even from smaller projects. Earning a platform-specific certification from Rockwell, Siemens, or Emerson, or completing a functional safety course, signals readiness for senior responsibilities when your years of experience alone might not.
What does the senior control engineer interview process look like?
Most processes start with a recruiter or HR screen focused on platform experience and industry background, followed by a technical interview with a lead engineer or engineering manager that covers control system design, loop tuning approaches, and safety logic. A final round often includes a panel with operations or project management stakeholders and may involve walking through a past project in detail, so having a concise project narrative ready is practical preparation.
Where can I find and apply to senior control engineer jobs?
You can find and apply to senior control engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that match your platform experience and industry background, then apply directly to each listing.
See All 532+ Senior Control Engineer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Senior Control Engineer Jobs