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Control Engineer Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Sr. Control Systems Engineer

Oak Ridge, TN · On-site

$159.70K - $165.40K/yr

Coordinates Control Systems' engineering efforts in assigned areas and collaborates with specialty groups, other engineering disciplines, the client, suppliers, contractors, construction and other ...

Sr. Control Systems Engineer

Oak Ridge, TN

$159.70K - $165.40K/yr

Coordinates Control Systems' engineering efforts in assigned areas and collaborates with specialty groups, other engineering disciplines, the client, suppliers, contractors, construction and ...

QC Lab Technicians

Clarksville, TN · On-site

$17.25 - $21.75/hr

Act as first escalation point for abnormal data, equipment issues, or safety concerns before reporting to QC Engineers. * Input and maintain analysis data in designated systems with high accuracy.

Sr. Control Systems Engineer

Oak Ridge, TN · On-site

$159.70K - $165.40K/yr

Coordinates Control Systems' engineering efforts in assigned areas and collaborates withspecialty groups, other engineering disciplines, the client, suppliers,contractors, construction and other ...

QC Lab Technicians

Clarksville, TN

$17.25 - $21.75/hr

Act as first escalation point for abnormal data, equipment issues, or safety concerns before reporting to QC Engineers. * Input and maintain analysis data in designated systems with high accuracy.

QC Lab Technicians

Clarksville, TN

$17.25 - $21.75/hr

Act as first escalation point for abnormal data, equipment issues, or safety concerns before reporting to QC Engineers Input and maintain analysis data in designated systems with high accuracy.

QC Lab Technicians

Nashville, TN

$19 - $24.25/hr

Act as first escalation point for abnormal data, equipment issues, or safety concerns before reporting to QC Engineers Input and maintain analysis data in designated systems with high accuracy.

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Showing results 1-20

Control Engineer information

See Tennessee salary details

$49.9K

$87.7K

$118.9K

How much do control engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for control engineer in Tennessee is $87,652.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,800.00 and $98,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Control Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Control Engineer, you need a strong background in electrical or mechanical engineering, control theory, and process automation, typically backed by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with programmable logic controllers (PLCs), SCADA systems, and industry-standard software such as MATLAB or Simulink is essential, with certifications like Certified Automation Professional (CAP) being advantageous. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are vital soft skills for designing solutions and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These competencies ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of automated systems in industrial environments.

What are the common challenges a Control Engineer faces when integrating new automation systems with existing infrastructure?

Control Engineers often encounter challenges when integrating new automation systems with legacy equipment or outdated infrastructure. These challenges include compatibility issues, communication protocol mismatches, and limited documentation for older systems. To overcome these obstacles, engineers must collaborate closely with cross-functional teams—such as IT, process engineers, and equipment vendors—to ensure seamless integration and minimal disruption to operations. Proactive troubleshooting, robust testing, and clear documentation are also crucial for successful implementation.

What are Control Engineers?

Control Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and maintain systems that manage and regulate the behavior of other devices or systems. They use principles from engineering, mathematics, and computer science to create automated processes in industries such as manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and energy. Their work often involves designing control systems for machinery, ensuring safety, efficiency, and reliability of operations. Control Engineers may also program and troubleshoot controllers like PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) and work closely with other engineering disciplines to optimize system performance.

What is the difference between Control Engineer vs Automation Engineer?

AspectControl EngineerAutomation Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical, Mechanical, or Control Engineering; certifications like Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST)Bachelor's in Electrical, Mechanical, or Automation Engineering; similar certifications often applicable
Work EnvironmentIndustrial plants, manufacturing facilities, process industriesManufacturing, robotics, process automation, software development
Employer & Industry UsageFactories, power plants, automation service providersManufacturers, tech companies, system integrators

Control Engineers focus on designing, developing, and maintaining control systems for machinery and processes, while Automation Engineers often work on integrating automation solutions, including software and robotics, to improve efficiency. Both roles require similar credentials and often overlap in industrial settings, but Control Engineers tend to concentrate more on control hardware and systems, whereas Automation Engineers emphasize automation software and systems integration.

What are the most commonly searched types of Control Engineer jobs in Tennessee? The most popular types of Control Engineer jobs in Tennessee are:
What are popular job titles related to Control Engineer jobs in Tennessee? For Control Engineer jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Control Engineer jobs in Tennessee look for? The top searched job categories for Control Engineer jobs in Tennessee are:
What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Control Engineer jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Control Engineer job openings:
Control System Infrastructure Engineer

Control System Infrastructure Engineer

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Oak Ridge, TN • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 days ago


Oak Ridge National Laboratory rating

9.3

Company rating: 9.3 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

4th of 103 rated laboratories


Job description

Requisition Id 16181
Overview:
The Controls Integration Group at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) is seeking a Control Systems Infrastructure Engineer II to support, maintain, and enhance the infrastructure that underpins the SNS Integrated Control System (ICS). The SNS ICS is a distributed control system based on the Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS). It depends on reliable, scalable computing and networking infrastructure, along with robust software management and deployment practices. This position resides in the Controls Integration Group within the Control Systems Section of the Research Accelerator Division, Neutron Sciences Directorate at ORNL. The group develops fully integrated control system solutions to safely deliver highly reliable beam to SNS instruments in support of scientific research. Typical systems integrate PLC and FPGA hardware platforms within the EPICS framework.
As a member of the team, you will work closely with control system engineers and accelerator operators to support and evolve the computing infrastructure and software environment for the SNS Control System. The role requires independent judgment, initiative, and technical creativity, with a strong focus on hardware and virtual machine-based infrastructure as well as software lifecycle management in a high availability environment.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Support SNS accelerator operations by performing routine maintenance and resolving operational issues quickly and safely.
  • Maintain and upgrade control system hardware and software infrastructure including servers, virtual machines, EPICS Input/Output Controllers (IOCs), Operator Interfaces (OPIs) and networking.
  • Maintain EPICS services, including data archiving, alarming, and gateway services; monitor performance and plan upgrades as needed.
  • Monitor and analyze system health and resource utilization for critical infrastructure components, including IOCs, MicroTCA crates, OPIs, and EPICS services.
  • Administer configuration management tools to ensure consistent and repeatable deployments across IOCs, Servers and OPI systems.
  • Maintain accurate documentation, network diagrams, and as-built infrastructure records.
  • Ensure reliable backup and rapid restoration of operational data, IOC runtime configurations, logs, operator screens, and software repositories.
  • Perform quality assurance verification for commercial off-the-shelf and custom hardware.
  • Collaborate effectively with engineers, operators, and technicians across the organization.
  • Perform all work in accordance with SNS work control procedures, Environment, Safety and Health (ES&H), and Quality Assurance (QA) requirements.
  • This position primarily operates during standard business hours; however, periodic off-hours and weekend support is required to meet the 24/7 operational needs of SNS.

Basic Qualifications:
  • A BS degree in a relevant discipline (such as information technology, computer science, engineering, or project management), plus two or more years of relevant experience.
  • Demonstrated experience administering and configuring various operating systems in a large-scale distributed control system or similar operational environment.
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with engineers, scientists, and technical staff.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with at least one real-time operating system (e.g., Linux RT, VxWorks, or RTEMS).
  • Experience with embedded Linux systems.
  • Experience supporting databases, virtualization clusters, or enterprise storage systems.
  • Familiarity with cybersecurity frameworks, particularly NIST SP 800-53 and NIST SP 800-82.
  • Experience with EPICS-based control systems.
  • Exposure to infrastructure supporting AI/ML applications.
  • Experience with instrumentation and electronics platforms such as VME, MicroTCA, or PLC-based systems.
  • Familiarity with software configuration management tools in large, distributed environments.
  • Experience with virtualization technologies such as VMware.
  • Self-motivated, proactive, and effective in team-oriented environments.

Special Requirements:
  • Physical Requirements: Work involves some physical requirements and working conditions. As such, a pre-hire physical will be required after offer.
  • Visa sponsorship is not available.

Benefits at ORNL:
We offer competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain hardworking people! The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for convenience.
Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, and Employee Discounts. Relocation Assistance is available for certain positions.
If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov
This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.
We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.
ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.

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