Senior Control Engineer Jobs in California
Senior Control Engineer jobs in California are in strong demand, concentrated in aerospace and defense, semiconductor manufacturing, oil and gas processing, and advanced industrial automation across one of the most active engineering markets in the country. The greatest hiring volume sits in the Los Angeles Basin, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Sacramento, where employers like Northrop Grumman, Chevron, and Applied Materials maintain large engineering operations. Programmable logic controller integration, distributed control systems, and SCADA architecture are the specialties most consistently sought by California hiring managers. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Senior Control Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 238+ Senior Control Engineer jobs
INTRODUCTION
ISEE is seeking a full-time Senior Controls Engineer to join our team. The ideal candidate has 5+ years of relevant work experience and a blend of mechatronics/robotics/and controls experience.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Role responsibilities include:
- Building and using models to simulate and test control algorithms, evaluating and verifying all aspects of dynamic behavior at both component and system level
- Conceiving test scenarios and coordinating with other teams to conduct extensive software testing and field testing on autonomous vehicles
- Develop metrics and intuitive tools to evaluate vehicle dynamics controller performance
- Participate in architecture strategy & algorithm design reviews
- Conduct root-cause investigations, data processing and analysis of results from simulations and vehicle testing
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Advanced Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or similar technical discipline. (Masters and up preferred)
- Engineering background in feedback control theory: linear system analysis (time domain and frequency domain), stability analysis, frequency response, system identification, optimal control techniques
- HIL (Hardware-in-loop) testing and signal processing experience
- High proficiency in Embedded C programming
- Strong experience with MATLAB/Simulink, & Python programming
- Excellent communication skills
- Passionate about self-driving cars and robotics
- Previous start up experience required
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Basic understanding, and intuition for physics of multi-body systems
- Experience with coordinating, interpreting, and improving control algorithm requirements
- Experience designing test framework to ensure control algorithm compliance with requirements
- Working in a formal development environment (i.e. ISO26262)
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
INTRODUCTION
ISEE is seeking a full-time Senior Controls Engineer to join our team. The ideal candidate has 5+ years of relevant work experience and a blend of mechatronics/robotics/and controls experience.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Role responsibilities include:
- Building and using models to simulate and test control algorithms, evaluating and verifying all aspects of dynamic behavior at both component and system level
- Conceiving test scenarios and coordinating with other teams to conduct extensive software testing and field testing on autonomous vehicles
- Develop metrics and intuitive tools to evaluate vehicle dynamics controller performance
- Participate in architecture strategy & algorithm design reviews
- Conduct root-cause investigations, data processing and analysis of results from simulations and vehicle testing
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Advanced Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or similar technical discipline. (Masters and up preferred)
- Engineering background in feedback control theory: linear system analysis (time domain and frequency domain), stability analysis, frequency response, system identification, optimal control techniques
- HIL (Hardware-in-loop) testing and signal processing experience
- High proficiency in Embedded C programming
- Strong experience with MATLAB/Simulink, & Python programming
- Excellent communication skills
- Passionate about self-driving cars and robotics
- Previous start up experience required
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Basic understanding, and intuition for physics of multi-body systems
- Experience with coordinating, interpreting, and improving control algorithm requirements
- Experience designing test framework to ensure control algorithm compliance with requirements
- Working in a formal development environment (i.e. ISO26262)
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
See All 238+ Senior Control Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Senior Control Engineer JobsSenior Control Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior Control Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Joby Aviation12
- Rivian8
- Intuitive (Intuitive Surgical)7
- NVIDIA7
- Abbott6
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software44
- Electronics & Hardware39
- Medical Devices31
- Manufacturing25
- Consulting & Professional Services21
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior control engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or chemical engineering from an accredited program
- Minimum five years of hands-on control systems engineering experience in industrial or process environments
- Proficiency with PLC programming platforms such as Rockwell Automation or Siemens S7
- Experience designing or maintaining SCADA, DCS, or HMI systems in production settings
- Familiarity with California safety codes and OSHA process safety management regulations
- Professional Engineer license issued or recognized by the California Board for Professional Engineers preferred
Senior Control Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior control engineer in California?
The most direct path is a bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or chemical engineering followed by several years of hands-on experience in control systems design or process automation. California employers also value a Professional Engineer license issued through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists, which requires passing the Fundamentals of Engineering and Principles and Practice exams. Certifications in specific PLC or DCS platforms strengthen candidacy significantly.
Which companies hire senior control engineers in California?
Employers hiring senior control engineers in California right now include Joby Aviation, Rivian, and Intuitive (Intuitive Surgical), based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's aerospace, semiconductor, and energy sectors drive much of the sustained hiring, with large facilities concentrated around the Los Angeles Basin, Bay Area, and Central Valley refining and processing corridors.
Which California cities have the most senior control engineer jobs?
Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, and Irvine lead California for senior control engineer openings. Los Angeles anchors demand through its dense aerospace and defense contractor base, the Bay Area draws heavily from semiconductor and tech manufacturing, and Sacramento sees consistent openings tied to utilities and state infrastructure projects, making each metro distinct rather than interchangeable.
Are there remote senior control engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Control engineering is fundamentally a hands-on discipline requiring physical access to control panels, PLCs, and industrial equipment, so fully remote roles are uncommon. About 9% of senior control engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those positions typically involve systems design, documentation, or project management tasks that don't require being on the plant floor.
How can I get hired as a senior control engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an associate or junior controls engineer role in a California industrial facility, where you build hands-on PLC and SCADA experience under senior staff. Large California employers in aerospace and semiconductor manufacturing, including defense contractors and chip fabrication plants in Silicon Valley and the Inland Empire, regularly hire new graduates into rotational engineering programs. Earning a vendor certification from Rockwell Automation or Siemens and building a documented project portfolio gives candidates without direct industry experience a concrete edge.
Where can I find and apply to senior control engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to senior control engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers across the state's aerospace, manufacturing, energy, and technology sectors. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 238+ Senior Control Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Senior Control Engineer Jobs