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Control Engineer Jobs in Columbus, OH (NOW HIRING)

Senior Control Systems Engineer

Columbus, OH · On-site

$161K - $167K/yr

In the role of Senior Control Systems Engineer , we'll count on you to: Planning and Design Roles: * Perform complex assignments exercising judgment in evaluation, selection and modification of ...

Electrical Controls Engineer This Electrical Controls Engineer role focuses on designing ... You will develop electrical designs, program control systems, support commissioning activities ...

Explain production impacts and work closely with operations and engineering to ensure a thorough understanding of impact to systems * Develop training plans for Control Systems Technicians Basic ...

Our client is seeking a Quality Control Mechanical Engineer to join a high-performing project team delivering complex industrial and manufacturing construction projects. This field-based opportunity ...

New

Kinetics Noise Control, Inc. is hiring! Who we are : Here at Kinetics Noise Control, Inc., we have ... As a Design Engineer, you will be responsible to: Generate & revise layouts for acoustical ...

Substation Engineer

Columbus, OH · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

You'll support the design, analysis, and execution of substation projects from planning through construction, contributing across disciplines - physical design, protection and control, engineering ...

Kinetics Noise Control, Inc. is hiring! Who we are : Here at Kinetics Noise Control, Inc., we have ... As a Design Engineer, you will be responsible to: Generate & revise layouts for acoustical ...

Substation Engineer

Columbus, OH · On-site +1

$75K - $85K/yr

You'll support the design, analysis, and execution of substation projects from planning through construction, contributing across disciplines -- physical design, protection and control, engineering ...

Substation Engineer

Columbus, OH · On-site +1

$75K - $85K/yr

You'll support the design, analysis, and execution of substation projects from planning through construction, contributing across disciplines - physical design, protection and control, engineering ...

Showing results 41-60

Control Engineer information

See Columbus, OH salary details

$53.1K

$93.3K

$126.5K

How much do control engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for control engineer in Columbus, OH is $93,281.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,700.00 and $104,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a control engineer do?

A control engineer designs, develops, and maintains control systems that manage machinery and processes in industries such as manufacturing, energy, and automation. They work with sensors, actuators, PLCs, and software to ensure systems operate efficiently and safely, often requiring knowledge of electrical, mechanical, and software engineering. Control engineers also troubleshoot system issues and optimize performance to meet operational goals.

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 is a control engineer?

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

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 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.

Do I need a degree to be a control engineer?

A control engineer typically needs at least a bachelor's degree in engineering, such as electrical, mechanical, or systems engineering. Relevant skills include knowledge of control systems, programming, and experience with tools like PLCs and MATLAB; some roles may prefer or require advanced degrees or certifications. Practical experience and technical skills are also important for success in this field.

How much do control engineers get paid?

Control engineers typically earn a median annual salary between $70,000 and $100,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced engineers with specialized skills or certifications can earn over $120,000 annually.
What are the most commonly searched types of Control Engineer jobs in Columbus, OH? The most popular types of Control Engineer jobs in Columbus, OH are:
What cities near Columbus, OH are hiring for Control Engineer jobs? Cities near Columbus, OH with the most Control Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Control Engineer job openings in Columbus, OH as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 7% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 93% In-person, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,281 per year, or $44.8 per hour.

Senior Control Systems Engineer

HDR

Columbus, OH • On-site

$161K - $167K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago


HDR rating

9.2

Company rating: 9.2 out of 10

Based on 58 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

35th of 447 rated engineering


Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
In the role of Senior Control Systems Engineer, we'll count on you to:
Planning and Design Roles:
  • Perform complex assignments exercising judgment in evaluation, selection and modification of standard engineering techniques and procedures
  • Coordinate control system discipline staff workload through design development and construction document phases to complete documents on schedule
  • Review control systems documents for areas of conflict with all disciplines
  • Write and edit instrumentation and controls systems specifications, and select equipment and monitoring/control devices
  • Develop biddable and technically accurate SCADA / Control Systems construction documents including P&IDs, network architecture diagrams, control panel layouts and wiring diagrams, installation details, loop drawings, and technical specifications.
  • Coordinate with and assist affected disciplines with addenda, RFIs, CPRs and change orders, and take responsibility to incorporate agreed-upon changes into the project documents
  • Make decisions on significant design and engineering procedures as needed
  • Supervise and develop a small staff of professionals and technicians as needed
  • Provide construction contract administration as needed
  • Lead or support SCADA and network Master Planning projects as needed
  • Travel to client facilities to participate in field activities to assess and document the current state of installed control systems.
  • Participate in and lead design review and planning meetings with the client.
  • Lead the development of preliminary engineering reports and studies focused on recommending and developing solutions for improvements to client control systems.
  • Serve as Engineer of Record in responsible charge for the development of biddable and technically accurate control system construction documents.
  • Interface with Electrical, Process, and Cybersecurity specialists to fully coordinate design requirements for network, power, control, and instrumentation.
  • Lead the selection and specification of facility and process instrumentation, control panels, and network equipment.
  • Lead the development of biddable and technically accurate control system construction documents including P&IDs, process flow diagrams, network architecture diagrams, control panel layouts and wiring diagrams, installation details, loop drawings, and technical specifications.
  • Participate in system testing and commissioning activities.
  • Coordinate with project manager and section manager to update workplans for control systems staff assigned to your project, and to track budget and schedule performance for the control systems team.
  • Participate in joint scoping and proposal development working with clients and marketing staff.
  • Participate in the planning and specification of applied technology solutions including instrumentation and control, advanced automation and control, artificial intelligence, networking, data management & analytics, augmented reality, and vision control.
  • Provide Quality Control (QC) reviews of control system designs.
  • Contribute to Control System Technical Leadership Team and drive corporate initiatives for quality and strategic growth within the Control Systems Discipline.
  • Active participation in industry professional societies to contribute to the development of standards, participate in the development and delivery of presentations and whitepapers at industry trade shows and conferences, and develop article content for general industry and market sector specific newsletters and periodicals.

Systems Integration {Use for SI / Application Programming Roles}:
  • Perform complex assignments exercising judgment in evaluation, selection and modification of standard engineering techniques and procedures
  • Coordinate workload through development, testing, and construction phases to complete integration tasks on schedule
  • Conduct systems integration of the SCADA systems, including programming of PLCs/PCs and HMI customizing for various control software programs
  • Review electrical documents for areas of conflict with all disciplines

Building Automation Roles:
  • This role will be primarily focused on building management (BMS) and automated facility support systems in coordination with clients and multidiscipline teams to deliver full-service control systems solutions for construction and implementation in multiple market sectors including tech, media & telecom; healthcare, research, and life sciences. Primary responsibilities include:
  • Leading control systems design teams to produce deliverable packages for several concurrent projects including writing/editing instrumentation and controls specifications, selecting instrumentation, developing sequence of operations, create control system drawings.
  • Coordinating the work of the control system engineers with the balance of multi-disciplined team throughout a project's design development and construction including power coordination, panel locations, remote equipment monitoring, integration to 3rd party systems, networking, and device locations.
  • Coordinating workload to complete documents on schedule.
  • Tracking financial aspects of projects, coordinating, and adjusting the work effort with the team to ensure that the work is completed within budget.
  • Conducting schematic; design development, and contract document working sessions with clients.
  • Establishing and maintaining client relationships, participate in marketing, design and production meetings with regard to instrumentation and control systems.
  • Acting as a mentor for junior staff members.
  • Supporting Section Manager is preparing Proposals
  • Provide Quality Control reviews of Control system designs
  • Reporting project status, performance, and quality updates to the Control Systems Section Manager.
  • Strong Leadership and presentation skills.

Control Systems Cyber Engineer Roles:
  • Provide network and system specification documentation deliverables to address cybersecurity vulnerabilities and the security controls necessary to mitigate the vulnerabilities to an acceptable level of risk
  • Participate in project meetings and provide specification deliverables in coordination with other HDR team designers, programmers, implementers, architects, and engineers
  • Mentor internal and external clients on networking topics
  • Participate in control systems master planning efforts
  • Participate in construction administration services including contractor submittal review
  • Lead ICS network assessment tasks including network mapping and asset inventories
  • Serve as a cross-sector ICS resource for HDR engineering project teams servicing critical infrastructure. This capability requires expertise in ICS design, development, deployment, and commissioning in a virtual/cloud environment
  • Maintain a working knowledge of secure networking standards to include NIST-800, ISA-62443, UFC-4-010-06 and others as required by client
  • Certifications Pursuit and Maintenance: Cybersecurity and IT network related CISSP, CISM, or GICSP. DoD IAM or IAT Level 2
  • Participate in pre-project system/network cybersecurity risk assessment
  • Participate in and/or validate cybersecurity commissioning (CFAT/CSAT) or audits of ICS networks/systems

Preferred Qualification
Planning and Design {Use for Design and Planning Roles}:
  • A minimum of 10 years experience designing Control Systems, including schematics and loops.
  • Previous work experience with an A&E/Consulting Engineering firm.

Systems Integration {Use for Systems Integration / Application Programming Roles}:
  • Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
  • Hands-on experience designing SCADA systems, including schematics and loops.
  • Experience with control panel design and panel wiring.
  • Experience with instrumentation setup, configuration and calibration.
  • A minimum of 10 years of control systems programming experience.
  • Experience managing control systems tasks, projects and teams.
  • Experience with startup and commissioning.
  • Knowledge of automation hardware including but not limited to Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Emerson/GE, Foxboro, Modicon/Schneider-Electric, and Siemens.
  • Knowledge of HMI software including but not limited to Wonderware/AVEVA, iFix, FactoryTalk, VTScada, Ignition, Emerson Ovation, Delta V, etc.
  • Knowledge of industrial network equipment such as network switches, industrial firewalls, radio/RTU communication, cellular modems.
  • Previous work experience with a Systems Integration firm.

Building Automation Engineer {Use for BAS/BMS roles}
  • Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
  • A minimum of 10 years experience designing building automation or building management systems, including schematics and loops.
  • Experience managing control systems projects.
  • Previous work experience with an A&E/Consulting Engineering firm.
  • Hands on experience designing BMS systems.
  • Must be knowledgeable of control systems and sequence of operations for building systems including Mechanical/HVAC, Electrical/Power Monitoring, Lighting, etc.
  • Must be knowledgeable of multiple communication platforms and protocols including but not limited to BACnet, LonWorks, Modbus TCP, Modbus RTU, Ethernet-I/P.
  • Must be knowledgeable of cybersecurity considerations in control systems.
  • Must be knowledgeable of networks, DDC hardware/software, and HMI software used in Building Management System applications.
  • Data Center experience a plus.
  • Direct Digital Control (DDC) programming experience a plus.
  • Internet of Things (IoT) knowledge and experience a plus.

Control Systems Cybersecurity Engineer Roles:
  • Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
  • A minimum of 10 years experience designing cybersecurity mitigations for Operational Technology Systems
  • Experience leading control systems vulnerability assessments
  • Previous work experience with an A&E/Consulting Engineering firm.
  • 10+ years of experience working in critical infrastructure (Federal/DoD, Oil & Gas, Chemical, Water/Wastewater, Power Generation, etc.)
  • 10+ years of experience in network design and system configuration to include firewalls, protocols, ports, VLANs, VMs, and route configuration
  • Data analysis experience: Wireshark PCAPs, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)
  • HVAC Control Systems experience to include BACnet and IP protocols
  • Multiple control system types (PLC based, DCS, BMS, and SIS)
  • IT experience/certifications in networking, encryption, programming, scripting, database design,
  • Cybersecurity Standards experience (ISA 62443, DoD RMF, ISO, NERC/FERC, etc.)
  • Certified GICSP, CISSP, CISM or equivalent

#LI-EH1
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related field.
  • Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
  • An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
  • A minimum of 10 years applicable experience

What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

What HDR employees say

Pay

Benefits

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About HDR

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At HDR, we specialize in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. While we are most well-known for adding beauty and structure to communities through high-performance buildings and smart infrastructure, we provide much more than that. We create an unshakable foundation for progress because our multidisciplinary teams also include scientists, economists, builders, analysts and artists.

Industry

Specialized design services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Omaha, NE, US

Year founded

1917