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Control Engineer Postdoc Jobs in Ashburn, VA (NOW HIRING)

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Control Engineer Postdoc information

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$36.8K

$82.8K

$129.4K

How much do control engineer postdoc jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for control engineer postdoc in Ashburn, VA is $82,832.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,400.00 and $99,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a control engineer postdoc?

Control Engineer Postdocs are researchers with a Ph.D. who specialize in the design, analysis, and implementation of control systems. They work in academic or industrial research settings, often focusing on advancing knowledge in areas like automation, robotics, or process control. Their responsibilities include conducting experiments, developing new algorithms or methods, publishing research findings, and sometimes mentoring students. This position is typically a temporary role intended to further develop expertise before pursuing a permanent academic or industry position.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a control engineer postdoc?

To thrive as a Control Engineer Postdoc, you need an advanced degree (PhD) in control engineering or a related field, with strong expertise in systems modeling, control theory, and applied mathematics. Proficiency in simulation tools such as MATLAB/Simulink and experience with programming languages like Python or C++, as well as familiarity with hardware-in-the-loop and embedded systems, are typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, effective communication, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively make a candidate stand out. These skills and qualities are critical for conducting advanced research, developing innovative control solutions, and contributing to interdisciplinary projects.

What are some common challenges faced by control engineer postdocs when transitioning from academia to industry-focused projects?

One common challenge for Control Engineer Postdocs moving into industry-oriented projects is adapting to faster-paced development cycles and stricter project deadlines. Unlike academic research, industry projects often require practical, scalable solutions rather than theoretical proofs. Additionally, postdocs may need to collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including software developers, product managers, and hardware engineers, making strong communication and teamwork skills essential. This transition also often involves working with proprietary tools and adhering to industry standards, which may require additional training.

What is the difference between Control Engineer Postdoc vs Control Engineer?

AspectControl Engineer PostdocControl Engineer
Required CredentialsPhD in Engineering or related field, research experienceBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, professional experience
Work EnvironmentAcademic research labs, universitiesIndustrial settings, manufacturing, automation companies
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutionsManufacturing firms, tech companies
Common Search & ComparisonResearch-focused roles, academic positionsIndustry-focused roles, engineering positions

The main difference between a Control Engineer Postdoc and a Control Engineer lies in their focus and work environment. A Control Engineer Postdoc is primarily involved in academic research, requiring a PhD and working in universities or research labs. In contrast, a Control Engineer typically works in industry, applying engineering principles in manufacturing or automation settings. Both roles require a strong background in control systems, but their career paths and work environments differ significantly.

What are popular job titles related to Control Engineer Postdoc jobs in Ashburn, VA?

For Control Engineer Postdoc jobs in Ashburn, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Control Engineer Postdoc jobs in Ashburn, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Control Engineer Postdoc jobs in Ashburn, VA are:

Control Engineer Postdoc jobs near you
Infographic showing various Control Engineer Postdoc job openings in Ashburn, VA as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, and 31% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $82,832 per year, or $39.8 per hour.

NIST PREP Postdoc Associate in Experimental Quantum Network Metrology

Gaithersburg, MD • On-site

Southeastern Universities Research Association
11 - 50 employees
Learn more about Southeastern Universities Research Associationexternal

$78K - $83K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP). NIST recognizes that its research staff may want to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest and, therefore, requires those institutions to be recipients of a PREP award. The PREP program involves staff from a wide range of backgrounds conducting scientific research across various fields. Individuals in this position will perform technical work supporting the collaboration's scientific research.
Research Title: Experimental Quantum Network Metrology, Physicist
The work will entail:The candidate will work on the NIST campus in Gaithersburg, Maryland, within the Quantum Information Groups (QIG) Quantum Communication and Networking Project, and work with experts at NIST in the field of quantum information, our collaborators in academia and industry, and will have the opportunity to make use of cutting-edge equipment, such as photon-number resolving detectors and extremely high-quality single-photon sources and will be part of and work on the ongoing effort to develop new measurement science and devices for quantum networks, including sources, detectors, memories, transducers, metrology, and protocols. U.S. citizenship is preferred.
U.S. Citizen Preferred
Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
  • Work with NIST researchers, academia, and industry to develop and test QN components.
  • Develop methods and protocols for verification and validation of entanglement links using entangled states of light within the (metropolitan) quantum network testbed.
  • Synchronization of network nodes to sub-10 ps levels on metropolitan scales.
  • In-situ characterization of fiber-links, e.g. polarization, optical path length, loss, noise, etc.
  • Calibration and characterization of single-photon detectors and sources.
  • Implementation of QN component software agents into QN control manager.
  • Prepare high-quality scientific publications on performed work.
  • Present results to supervisors, management, stakeholders and conferences.

Qualifications
  • US citizenship is preferred
  • Must have a PhD in Physics with 2 or more years of relevant experience.
  • Proven background and experience in quantum information science and QNs.
  • Proven experience using single-photon sources and detectors for quantum measurements.
  • Demonstrated ability to conduct independent, collaborative, multi-disciplinary research
  • Must have an aptitude and patience to perform precision measurements
  • Extensive skills in Matlab and Python for data analysis, data taking and system automation.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.

Privacy Act StatementAuthority: 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c)
Purpose: The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor's degree holders, graduate students, master's degree holders, postdocs, and faculty.
PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitate administrative functions of the PREP Program.
Routine Uses: NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1: NIST Associates.
Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated.
SURA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that no one should be discriminated against because of their differences, such as age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, religion, or sexual orientation. All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.
PREP0004162

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