1

Contract Controls Engineer Jobs in New Jersey (NOW HIRING)

Senior Controls Engineer

Bridgewater, NJ · On-site

$99K - $131K/yr

... in contract awards. * Project Management * Maintain strong relationships with key vendors and ... controls-related troubleshooting and ongoing engineering assistance. Required Skills: * Travel:

Senior Controls Engineer

Bridgewater, NJ · On-site

$99K - $131K/yr

... in contract awards. * Project Management * Maintain strong relationships with key vendors and ... controls-related troubleshooting and ongoing engineering assistance. Required Skills: * Travel:

Senior Controls Engineer

Bridgewater, NJ · On-site

$99K - $131K/yr

... in contract awards. * Project Management * Maintain strong relationships with key vendors and ... controls-related troubleshooting and ongoing engineering assistance. Required Skills: * Travel:

Controls Sales Engineer

Trenton, NJ · On-site

$140 - $200/hr

Controls Sales Engineer - Northern New Jersey - $85,000 Base + Commission - $140K-$200K OTEAbout ... Comfortable preparing estimates, proposals, and project contracts * Experience interacting with ...

BAS Controls Tech

Lyndhurst, NJ · On-site

$75 - $95/hr

Manage assigned service contracts and provide customer-facing support * Diagnose and repair BMS/DDC ... Optional: Assist with DDC programming (block or script-based) * Perform 3rd-party integrations via ...

Experience in Asset Management, Civil and Structural Engineering, HSSE, Project Controls, Cost ... Contract role with potential for extension based on business needs Pay Details: $45.00 to $60.00 ...

Experience in Asset Management, Civil and Structural Engineering, HSSE, Project Controls, Cost ... Contract role with potential for extension based on business needs Pay Details: $45.00 to $60.00 ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Contract Controls Engineer information

See New Jersey salary details

$55.8K

$98K

$133K

How much do contract controls engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract controls engineer in New Jersey is $98,045.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,800.00 and $109,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract controls engineer?

A Contract Controls Engineer is a temporary or project-based professional responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining control systems in industrial, manufacturing, or automation environments. They work with PLCs, SCADA systems, and other automation technologies to ensure efficient and reliable operations. Their role often includes programming, troubleshooting, and optimizing control systems to meet project or regulatory requirements. Typically, they collaborate with engineers, technicians, and stakeholders to deliver solutions on time and within budget. Contract positions allow flexibility and exposure to various industries and projects.

What does a contract controls engineer do?

A Contract Controls Engineer typically spends their days designing, programming, and commissioning control systems for client projects, often working onsite and remotely based on project needs. The role involves collaborating closely with project managers, electricians, and other engineers to ensure all automation solutions are delivered on time and meet client specifications. Routine tasks may include troubleshooting system issues, developing technical documentation, and overseeing installation or upgrades of control panels. The work environment is fast-paced and project-oriented, providing variety and the opportunity to tackle new technical challenges each week.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract controls engineer?

To thrive as a Contract Controls Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical or control systems engineering, experience with automation, and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with PLCs, SCADA systems, control panel design software, and certifications such as a Professional Engineer (PE) license are highly valued. Strong problem-solving abilities, effective communication, and adaptability are essential soft skills for success in this dynamic role. These skills are crucial for delivering reliable automation solutions, ensuring project success, and collaborating efficiently with multidisciplinary teams on contract-based projects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Controls Engineer jobs in New Jersey?

The most popular types of Controls Engineer jobs in New Jersey are:

What are popular job titles related to Contract Controls Engineer jobs in New Jersey?

For Contract Controls Engineer jobs in New Jersey, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Contract Controls Engineer jobs in New Jersey look for?

The top searched job categories for Contract Controls Engineer jobs in New Jersey are:

What cities in New Jersey are hiring for Contract Controls Engineer jobs?

Cities in New Jersey with the most Contract Controls Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Contract Controls Engineer job openings in New Jersey as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,045 per year, or $47.1 per hour.

Senior Controls Engineer

Messer LLC

Bridgewater, NJ • On-site

$99K - $131K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Lead the design, development, and implementation of controls and automation systems, ensuring safety, reliability, and efficiency.

  • Develop and review system documentation, including P&IDs, control architecture drawings, IO and alarm lists, and control narratives.

  • Oversee the commissioning process, including testing, validation, and providing on-site support to ensure systems meet project specifications.


Messer rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Messer

Based on 22 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.0

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.0 out of 10

Oil and gas companies average

Based on 3,677 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

The best things about working at Messer

  • 93%

    93% say their health insurance is affordable

    say their health insurance is affordable

  • 92%

    92% say they get paid time off

    say they get paid time off

  • 86%

    86% say their managers don’t change their shifts at short notice

    say their managers don’t change their shifts at short notice

Featured by Messer, based on 22 Breakroom Quiz responses from their frontline employees


Job description

Position Overview

In this role, you will be responsible for the full lifecycle of controls and automation systems for Capital and Re-Life projects. Your expertise will be crucial in ensuring that our systems are designed with the highest standards of safety, reliability, and efficiency. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and implement advanced controls strategies, manage vendor relationship, and ensure successful project execution.

At Messer, we pride ourselves on delivering customer-focused solutions that are safe, reliable, and efficient. As part of our Project Engineering and Execution (PE) Americas team, you’ll play a critical role in shaping the future of our controls and automation systems. We’re looking for a Senior Controls Engineer with deep expertise in controls and automation, who can drive innovation and lead projects to success.
Why Messer?

Messer is the world’s largest privately held industrial gases company and what we do matters because it is woven into every part of life, from the medical gases that patients rely on to the essential elements needed to safely and sustainably product the goods our communities depend on.

The true strength of Messer is our people – at every level and in every role.

Join us and take pride in the impact you will make by providing solutions essential to our world and lives. Reach your highest potential at our stable, inclusive company with diverse opportunities in a growing industry, supported by people who care.

Messer stands apart because we put what matters first, and you matter.
Key Responsibilities:

  • Controls and Automation System Expertise
    • Lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced controls and automation systems, focusing on safety, reliability, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
    • Develop in-house standards, methods, and practices that ensure long-term sustainability and adaptation to rapidly evolving technologies
    • Leverage advancements in hardware, software, security, and control concepts to stay ahead in the field of industrial automation.
  • Concept Development
    • Identify, define, estimate, budget, and plan controls and measurement system projects.
    • Responsible for future casting and developing innovative solutions that set the standard for controls and automation within the industry.
  • Safety Leadership
    • Play an integral role in the safety design process, participating in LOPA, HAZOP, and SIL assessments.
    • Ensure all controls and automation systems comply with safety, health, environmental, and quality standards.
    • Foster a culture of safety within the project team and across the organization.
  • Design & Documentation
    • Assist in the development of P&IDs
    • Create detailed Control System Architecture drawings, illustrating the interconnectivity of control system components, including DCS, PLC, networks, and field devices.
    • Generate IO and alarm lists, develop Interlock and Trip documents, produce Control Narratives and Functional Design Standards.
    • Develop comprehensive scopes of work for controls and automation projects and participate in contract awards.
  • Project Management
    • Maintain strong relationships with key vendors and system integrators, ensuring clear communication and alignment on project goals.
    • Oversee programming development, providing technical feedback and direction to vendors to ensure successful outcomes.
    • Manage project schedules and resources, ensuring important milestones are met and projects are delivered on time and within budget.
  • Programming & Technical Support
    • Provide high-level technical assistance, troubleshooting, and design expertise in DCS/PLC programming, HMI architecture, database design, and network security.
    • Develop and maintain documentation that details our standard methodologies and design guides, ensuring consistency across projects.
    • Lead the programming efforts for control systems, ensuring that all software components are robust, secure, and optimized for performance.
  • Simulation & Testing
    • Develop simulation logic, standards, and methods to streamline program development and testing.
    • Focus on modular design and flexibility to ensure that systems can be easily adapted to changing requirements.
    • Design and execute FAT and SAT procedures, coordinating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure compliance and validation.
  • Execution & Commissioning
    • Lead the commissioning process, including loop checks, functional tests, and on-site support, ensuring that control systems are fully operational and meet all project specifications.
    • Provide comprehensive project handover documentation, including as-built drawings, manual, and maintenance guides.
    • Support Area Operations and Reliability teams with controls-related troubleshooting and ongoing engineering assistance.

Required Skills:

  • Travel: Ability to travel up to 20%-40% on an annual basis
  • Technical Skills:
    • Proficiency in DCS/PLC systems, including Siemens PCS7, Yokogawa Centum VP, Delta V, Foxboro, Honeywell, and Allen-Bradley ControlLogix.
    • Experience with HMI systems such as Siemens WinCC, AVEVA Wonderware, and Inductive Automation
    • Strong understanding of industrial device networking, including Ethernet, Serial (RS232/485), ProfiNET, ProfiBUS, EthernetIP, ModbusTCP/RTU.
    • Knowledge of computer hardware, software, and security, including MS Windows Server, Active Directory, and virtualization technologies like VMWare.
  • Safety Leadership: Demonstrated exceptional operational safety leadership.
  • Controls & Measurement Systems: Proven experience in the installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of controls and measurement systems, including Remote Operations, Plant Auto Start, Supervisory Control, LMPC Control, Historian, Expert Systems, Metering and Monitoring Systems, Automated Data Collection, Pipeline Demand Management, and Batching Systems.
  • Software Proficiency: Experience with programming languages like Python, Java, VB, and C++
  • Database Management: Familiarity with SQL databased (MS SQL, MySQL, Oracle).

Basic Qualifications:

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering
  • Experience: 5-7 years of experience, with a minimum of 5 years in an operations or project engineering environment focused on controls and automation

Preferred Skills:

  • Instrumentation & Analyzers: General expertise in instrumentation and analyzers.
  • Regulatory & Industry Standards: Proven understanding of regulatory and industry standards and codes.
  • Cryogenics: Experience and knowledge in cryogenics
  • Engineering Tools: Familiarity with COMOS, Smart Plant, and AVEVA Engineering.

The salary range for this position is $110,000 - $146,000. Messer provides medical, dental, vision, short term disability, life insurance and paid time off as well as other voluntary benefits, such as, long term disability in accordance with the terms and conditions of these Plans.   Employees are eligible to enroll in Messer’s 401(k) Plan. Employees may be eligible to participate in the company’s bonus program.

About Messer

Messer’s safety culture, commitment to providing dependable supply and innovative gas technology solutions help customers unlock opportunities to be safer, more sustainable, more productive and more efficient, so their business thrives. We nurture lasting, meaningful relationships with customers, our communities, and with one another.

We offer comprehensive benefits and appreciable pay, with steady schedules and opportunities for ongoing training and career progression. We prioritize and invest in our people at every level of our organization – the dedication, knowledge, customer focus and entrepreneurial spirit of our employees is what make Messer refreshingly different.

If you need assistance with the application or would like to request accommodation, call (877) 243-1030.


Working at Messer

Perks for frontline workers

From Messer, via Breakroom

  • Health insurance

  • Retirement Plan

  • Paid Time Off

  • Ongoing training & development opportunities

About Messer, in their own words

From Messer

Messer offers more than 125 years of expertise in industrial, medical, specialty and electronics gases. The company delivers quality gases, related services and technology via an extensive production and distribution network. Health and safety, sustainability practices and environmental protection are core Messer values that are embedded in the company’s daily operations.

Company values

From Messer

Our Mission: To become the premier supplier of choice for industrial, medical and specialty gas solutions, admired for our safety culture, customer focus, performance, and innovation.

Our Vision: ​As the leading privately held provider of industrial, medical, and specialty gas solutions, we are the first choice for customers and employees.

Our Purpose: We help people drive progress.

At Messer, we know people – who are welcomed and empowered – create our success. Whether you’re a recent graduate starting your career or returning to the workforce after a break, you might be the perfect fit to spark innovative thinking and bring creative new ideas to our growing team.

From ongoing training and development opportunities to tuition reimbursement and continuing education programs, you’ll feel valued and get to make a real impact.

We’re expanding into new markets and creating technologies that impact nearly every aspect of daily life, with new and exciting opportunities for you to thrive every single day. Will you join us?


What Messer employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom