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Associate Controls Engineer Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Associate Controls Engineer

Houston, TX ยท On-site

$80K - $104K/yr

An ENR top 500 firm We have an Associate Controls Engineer opportunity available in our Houston, TX office. This person will work with senior engineers delivering process control systems including ...

Associate Controls Engineer

Houston, TX ยท On-site

$80K - $104K/yr

An ENR top 500 firm We have an Associate Controls Engineer opportunity available in our Houston, TX office. This person will work with senior engineers delivering process control systems including ...

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Associate Controls Engineer information

See Houston, TX salary details

$52.5K

$92.2K

$125.1K

How much do associate controls engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate controls engineer in Houston, TX is $92,225.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,700.00 and $103,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Associate Controls Engineers when working on multidisciplinary teams?

Associate Controls Engineers often collaborate with professionals from mechanical, electrical, and software engineering backgrounds. One common challenge is ensuring clear communication across disciplines, as each team may use different technical jargon and have distinct priorities. Additionally, balancing project timelines while integrating control systems with hardware and software components can require strong organizational and problem-solving skills. Proactively seeking feedback and participating in cross-functional meetings can help Associate Controls Engineers bridge gaps and contribute effectively to project success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Associate Controls Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Controls Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, control systems, and automation, often supported by a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with PLC programming, SCADA systems, and industry-standard software such as AutoCAD or Rockwell Automation tools is typically required. Strong problem-solving, analytical thinking, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with cross-functional teams and resolve technical challenges. These competencies are crucial for designing efficient control solutions, ensuring system reliability, and driving project success in automated environments.

What does an Associate Controls Engineer do?

An Associate Controls Engineer assists in designing, developing, and maintaining control systems used in manufacturing or industrial settings. They work with senior engineers to implement automation solutions, troubleshoot issues, and ensure equipment operates safely and efficiently. Their tasks often include programming controllers, testing system performance, and supporting the integration of new technologies. This role typically requires knowledge of electrical engineering, programming languages like PLC, and a strong attention to detail.

What is the difference between Associate Controls Engineer vs Controls Engineer?

AspectAssociate Controls EngineerControls Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical, Mechanical, or Automation Engineering; some certificationsBachelor's or higher in related engineering; often more experience or certifications
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, supporting design, testing, and troubleshootingMore independent, leading projects, and system integration
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturing, automation, and industrial facilitiesSimilar industries, with increased responsibilities

The main difference between an Associate Controls Engineer and a Controls Engineer lies in experience and responsibility level. Associate Controls Engineers typically support and assist in projects, focusing on learning and executing tasks under supervision. Controls Engineers take on more independent roles, managing projects and system design. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and certifications, but Controls Engineers usually have more hands-on experience and leadership responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Controls Engineer jobs in Houston, TX? The most popular types of Controls Engineer jobs in Houston, TX are:
What are popular job titles related to Associate Controls Engineer jobs in Houston, TX? For Associate Controls Engineer jobs in Houston, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Associate Controls Engineer jobs in Houston, TX look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Controls Engineer jobs in Houston, TX are:
Infographic showing various Associate Controls Engineer job openings in Houston, TX as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 49% Full Time, 49% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,225 per year, or $44.3 per hour.

Associate Controls Engineer

Wunderlich-Malec

Houston, TX โ€ข On-site

$80K - $104K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

Wunderlich-Malec (WM) Engineering is a 100% employee-owned ESOP and one of the largest and most well-established engineering companies in the United States.ย As an Intern at WM you become part of a company that is:

  • 100% employee-owned company with 40+ years of industry historyย 
  • A Top 5 Systems Integrator Giant
  • An ENR top 500 firm

We have an Associate Controls Engineer opportunity available in our Houston, TX office. This person will work with senior engineers delivering process control systems including DCS/PLC/SCADA/HMI programming, hardware designs, network architecture design, instrumentation/electrical designs, check-out/start-up support, etc.

Technicalย 

  • Deliverย processย control systems including DCS/PLC/SCADA/HMI programming,ย hardware designs, network architecture design, instrumentation/electricalย designs,ย check-out/start-upย support, etc.ย 
  • Learn,ย follow,ย andย seekย to streamline/improveย project execution tools,ย standardsย andย techniques
  • Follows guidance from lead engineer to provide process Control System software/hardware design, development and startup
  • Prepare supporting project documenting (examples include user requirements, architecture, control narratives, cause & effect diagrams, test plans, user training, etc.ย 
  • Routinely testย yourย workย to ensureย quality, accuracy,ย safetyย and alignment to projectย requirements

        Project Managementย 

        • Provideย status reportingย to your project managerย regardingย activities/deliverables progress-to-date, hours estimate-to-complete, needs/obstacles to meeting project schedule, etc.ย 
        • Identifiesย potential roadblocks toย completingย tasks efficientlyย and on schedule
        • Provide input to project risks, best practice, lessons learned, etc. related to your project activities
        • Address customer requests and evaluate them versus the defined scope of assigned projects
        • Actively participate in internal and customer meetings

              ย Sales and Business Developmentย 

              • Identifyย opportunities to build relationships with client members of their assigned projects
              • Provide input to proposals and estimates
              • Seek to understand customer needs such that WM may offer additional scope and/or servicesย ย 

              Business Operationsย 

              • Create personal goals that support theย goals of your assigned projects as well as theย goalsย ourย Business Unit
              • Demonstrate ability in engineering economics, entrepreneurialism, risk management, and financial accountability
              • Willing to collaborate and share knowledge with coworkers
              • Communicate (verbally and in writing) with clarity and professionalism
              • Focus on efficiency and continuous improvement
              • Personal accountability and integrity

                      Minimumย Requirements

                      Educationย BSย Degreeย inย Engineeringย (preference forย Electrical/Controls, Chemicalย ย or Mechanical).ย 

                      Generalย 

                      • Strong leadership and clientย relationย skills
                      • Exceptional verbal and written ability with the aptitude to communicate professionally with clients and projectย leadership
                      • Good engineering and good documentation practice.ย ย Experience (or willingness) using collaboration tools (such as SharePoint) to work effectively within remote teams

                        ย Requiredย Experience ย 

                        • New graduates withย someย 1-2ย years ofย experience (coursework, seniorย projectย and/or internship) with process controls engineering (PLC and/or SCADA programming) preferred
                        • Experience with at least one standard programming language such as C++, JavaScript, Python, .NET, etc.
                        • Computer proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word

                          ย Additionalย Experienceย (preferred but notย required)

                          • Networkย design,ย troubleshootingย andย ability toย maintain/modify a virtualized environment
                          • Basic understanding of Foundational SQL experience (academic or hands-on), with ability to query and analyze data using basic statements
                          • Familiarity with REST APIs (through coursework or personal projects), including consuming endpoints and handling JSON dataย 

                              Physical Demands of Positionย Ability to travel up to 25%.ย Seeing, color perception, hearing, clear speech, dexterity in hands, drivingย (valid driverโ€™s licenseย required), lifting, climbing, ability to mount and dismount equipment, pushing and pulling.ย 

                              Working Environmentย Standard office environment, On-site office environment, and diverse industrial environments including chemical and biological manufacturing environments.ย Frequent PC usageย including collaboration tools for project execution.ย 

                              ย *Job Descriptions are not exhaustive lists of all skills, responsibilities, or efforts associated with a job. They reflect principal job elements essential for performing the job and evaluating performance.ย 

                              Wunderlich-Malec is proud to offer a comprehensive employee-owner benefit package. Full-time employees may be eligible for the following benefits:ย Medical โ€ข Dental โ€ข Vision โ€ข Basic and Supplemental Life and AD&D โ€ข Long Term Disability โ€ข Voluntary Short Term Disability โ€ข Healthcare & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts โ€ข Health Savings Account โ€ข Paid Time Off (PTO) โ€ข Paid Holidays โ€ข Tuition Reimbursement โ€ข Referral Bonus Program โ€ข 401(k)/Profit Sharing โ€ข 100% ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) โ€ข Employee Assistance Program โ€ข Will Preparation Resources โ€ข Worldwide Travel Assistanceย