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Control System Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Solvarus

System Engineer

Centreville, VA · On-site

Experience with Mission Planning, Control or Processing functions in support of space and ground ... Experience in requirements engineering, CONOPS development, verification, test, and system ...

Solvarus

System Engineer

Centreville, VA · On-site

Experience with Mission Planning, Control or Processing functions in support of space and ground ... Experience in requirements engineering, CONOPS development, verification, test, and system ...

Pae

Senior Naval System Security Engineer

Dahlgren, VA

$116K - $160K/yr

Senior Naval System Security Engineer Essential Responsibilities: * Providing expertise with the ... Providing system design/system integration documents for weapons control systems and surface combat ...

Amentum

Senior Naval System Security Engineer

Dahlgren, VA · On-site

$116K - $160K/yr

Senior Naval System Security Engineer Essential Responsibilities: * Providing expertise with the ... Providing system design/system integration documents for weapons control systems and surface combat ...

exp

Building Control System Integrator

Richmond, VA · On-site +1

$100K - $125K/yr

Building Control System Integrator Locations: Richmond, VA Fairfax, VA Washington, DC Towson, MD ... As a team of engineers, architects, designers, scientists, creators and a community of ...

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All JobsControl System Engineer JobsControl System Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Control System Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$60.5K

$107.8K

$174K

How much do control system engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for control system engineer in Virginia is $107,843.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,300.00 and $125,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To excel as a Control System Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical or mechanical engineering, strong analytical skills, and experience with control theory and system design. Familiarity with PLC programming, SCADA systems, MATLAB/Simulink, and certifications such as Professional Engineer (PE) are highly valued. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication help you collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and manage complex projects. These skills are essential for designing, implementing, and maintaining reliable automation systems that optimize performance and safety in various industries.

What are Control System Engineers?

Control System Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and maintain systems that manage, regulate, and automate processes in industries such as manufacturing, energy, and transportation. They use principles of engineering, mathematics, and computer science to ensure that machinery and processes operate efficiently, safely, and within desired parameters. Their work often involves programming controllers, integrating sensors and actuators, and troubleshooting complex automated systems.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Control System Engineers with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and specialized skills in automation, robotics, or software development can earn $200,000 or more annually. High salaries are often found in industries like aerospace, defense, or large manufacturing firms, especially for those in senior or managerial roles.

What does a control system engineer do?

A control system engineer designs, develops, and maintains automated systems that regulate machinery and processes. They analyze system requirements, create control algorithms, and use tools like PLCs and SCADA software to ensure optimal performance and safety. This role often requires knowledge of electrical, mechanical, and software engineering principles, along with troubleshooting skills.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Control System Engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in automation, and specialized certifications can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $300,000 annually, especially in high-demand industries like aerospace, oil and gas, or large-scale manufacturing. Senior engineers often have leadership roles, advanced degrees, and expertise in programming, system integration, and project management that contribute to higher compensation.

What engineers make $500,000 a year?

Control System Engineers in specialized industries such as aerospace, defense, or oil and gas can reach annual salaries of $500,000 or more, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership roles. High compensation often involves working on complex projects, requiring expertise in automation, programming, and system integration, along with long hours or on-site responsibilities.

What is the difference between Control System Engineer vs Automation Engineer?

AspectControl System EngineerAutomation Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical, Mechanical, or Control Engineering; certifications like CSCP or ISABachelor's in Electrical, Mechanical, or Automation Engineering; similar certifications
Work EnvironmentDesign, develop, and maintain control systems in manufacturing, energy, or industrial settingsDesign and implement automated systems and processes in manufacturing or production environments
Industry UsageCommonly employed in industries requiring control systems such as oil & gas, manufacturing, and utilitiesUsed in industries focusing on process automation, robotics, and production efficiency

Control System Engineers and Automation Engineers share similar educational backgrounds and certifications. While Control System Engineers focus on designing and maintaining control systems, Automation Engineers concentrate on implementing automated processes. Both roles are vital in industrial settings, often overlapping but with distinct primary responsibilities.

What are some common challenges Control System Engineers face when working on multidisciplinary project teams?

Control System Engineers frequently collaborate with professionals from mechanical, electrical, and software engineering backgrounds. One of the main challenges is ensuring smooth communication and integration across these disciplines, as each team may have different priorities, terminologies, and workflows. Additionally, coordinating timelines and requirements to align control system design with hardware and software constraints can be complex. Proactive communication, clear documentation, and regular cross-team meetings help overcome these hurdles and ensure project success.
What are popular job titles related to Control System Engineer jobs in VA? For Control System Engineer jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Control System Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Control System Engineer job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,843 per year, or $51.8 per hour.
System Engineer

System Engineer

Solvarus

Centreville, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Are you looking for an opportunity to make a difference in the government space? What if you could find a position that is tailor-made for your mix of development, engineering, and communication skills? That is why we need you to apply your ingenuity and bring your innovative ideas to a consulting advisory services company. Solvarus Consulting has been dedicated to solving the toughest challenges by providing support to the Intelligence Community and Department of Defense. Help us shorten the time it takes to get critical tools developed and into the hands of warfighters who need them and to quickly aid the people who need it.
This component of the Space Program provides Enterprise Systems Engineering and Integration capabilities to a national intelligence acquisition and operations organization. The program supports full lifecycle acquisition across all mission domains of a complex national systems architecture.
Duties include:
  • Provide system end-to-end closure of requirements baseline for Space Indications and Warning (I&W) programs and related activities.
  • Follow readiness processes for Integration and Closure (I&C).
  • Coordinate with all stakeholders across the enterprise including action tracking and follow-up.
  • Provide support to system integration of new initiatives for expanded mission capabilities.
  • Assess requirements, Concept of Operations (CONOPs), architecture products, system schedules, and risks.
  • Be the Systems Engineering Technical Advisor (SETA) 'trusted agent' for the customer in presenting the assessments to the customer and providing recommendations for way ahead to fulfill the mission.

Qualifications:
  • Requires 10 to 12 years with BS/BA or 8 to 10 years with MS/MA or 5 to 7 years with PhD.
  • TS/SCI with Poly.
  • Experience with Intelligence Community (IC) customer or Department of Defense (DoD).
  • Knowledge of Ground systems and overall space and ground architecture.
  • Awareness of mission technical capabilities and system performance analysis and assessment.
  • Experience with Mission Planning, Control or Processing functions in support of space and ground architecture.
  • Experience identifying user & enterprise needs/requirements and gap identification, analysis, and assessment.
  • Experience in requirements engineering, CONOPS development, verification, test, and system integration to accommodate End to End Systems Engineering in support of customer's missions.
  • Proven adaptability and experience with daily interaction on-site with the government customers.
  • Proven adaptability and experience with daily interaction on-site with the government customers.
  • Knowledge of Ground or Space systems.
  • Experience with Indications & Warning (I&W) systems.
  • Experience with DOORs requirements database management/repository.
  • Experience in Rhapsody and SysML applications, Confluence, Jira.
  • A passion for learning, helping others, sharing team knowledge, and contributing value to the mission in any way possible.

Desired Skills:
  • Experience with large acquisition systems engineering efforts, methods, and processes.
  • Ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment.
  • Good oral and written communication skills; MS Office proficient.
  • Good business acumen: ability to relate professionally inside the work environment.
  • Organized and flexible.

Solvarus employment relationships are made without regard to age, race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, marital status, veteran status, the presence of any physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Discrimination or harassment based upon any of these factors is wholly inconsistent with our company values and will not be tolerated.

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