ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Controls Design Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Design Hire LLC

Commissioning Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$110 - $150/hr

... Cx) Engineer to join their Commissioning (Cx) Team. This is an opportunity to accelerate your ... Participate in all phases of commissioning projects, including design review, controls design, site ...

Amtec Direct Hire

Be Seen First

Senior Controls Engineer

Monrovia, CA · On-site

$100K - $145K/yr (+ commission)

The Senior Systems Controls Engineer will have a proven background in automation control ... Pre-sale conceptual design, schedule, and cost estimation of control architecture for semi ...

Astrolab

Sr. Design Engineer (Test & R&D)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$157K - $177K/yr

The ideal candidate is a hands-on design engineer who can move comfortably between CAD, mechanical design, manufacturing, instrumentation, controls, and the test floor . This position requires strong ...

Nihon-Kohden

Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer

Santa Ana, CA · On-site

$120 - $150/hr

The Senior Mechanical Design Engineer is responsible for independently leading and executing ... Demonstrated experience with design controls, design verification, and design validation within a ...

Visium Resources, Inc.

Senior Controls Engineer

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$101K - $134K/yr

Lead and execute the design, development, revision, and management of all automation/BMS system ... Mentor controls engineers, operations, and technical staff, providing training on best practices ...

P2S Inc.

Electrical Design Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

Collaborate with project teams to deliver high-quality engineering solutions. * Assist with lighting circuiting and lighting controls design. * Utilize AutoCAD and Revit MEP for design documentation.

Legence

Electrical Design Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

Collaborate with project teams to deliver high-quality engineering solutions. * Assist with lighting circuiting and lighting controls design. * Utilize AutoCAD and Revit MEP for design documentation.

Qualcomm

Memory Control Design Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$115K - $173K/yr

QCT Memory Controller Design Team is looking for ASIC Design Engineers for the next generation high speed DDR Controllers. The front end of the DDR controller interfaces to the rest of the system ...

AlfaTech

Controls Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$115K - $130K/yr

Controls Engineer About Us Our mission is to always put our clients first by offering the most ... Provide input for BMS design documentation, including a sequence of operations, points lists ...

AlfaTech

Controls Engineer

San Jose, CA · Hybrid

$115K - $130K/yr

Controls Engineer About Us Our mission is to always put our clients first by offering the most ... Provide input for BMS design documentation, including a sequence of operations, points lists ...

AlfaTech

Controls Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$115K - $130K/yr

Controls Engineer About Us Our mission is to always put our clients first by offering the most ... Provide input for BMS design documentation, including a sequence of operations, points lists ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsControls Design Engineer JobsControls Design Engineer Jobs in California

Controls Design Engineer information

See California salary details

$59.2K

$90.9K

$116.5K

How much do controls design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for controls design engineer in California is $90,885.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,400.00 and $103,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a controls design engineer do?

A Controls Design Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and implementing control systems used to operate machinery and processes in industries such as manufacturing, automotive, and energy. They create schematics, select control components, and program controllers to ensure systems operate efficiently and safely. Their work often involves collaborating with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to integrate complex automation solutions. Additionally, they troubleshoot existing systems and optimize performance to meet project requirements.

How does a controls design engineer typically collaborate with other engineering disciplines during a project?

Controls Design Engineers frequently work cross-functionally with mechanical, electrical, and software engineering teams to ensure that control systems integrate seamlessly with the overall machinery or process. They often participate in design reviews, coordinate interface requirements, and troubleshoot issues that arise during system integration. Clear communication and teamwork are essential, as controls must align with both hardware constraints and operational objectives. This collaborative environment fosters learning and can open doors for career advancement into project management or specialized technical roles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a controls design engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Controls Design Engineer, you need strong knowledge of electrical engineering principles, control systems, and automation, generally supported by a degree in electrical or mechanical engineering. Familiarity with PLC programming, CAD software (such as AutoCAD or EPLAN), and relevant industry certifications like Certified Automation Professional (CAP) are typically required. Excellent problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and address complex technical challenges. These skills ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable design of automation systems that meet project requirements and industry standards.

What is the difference between Controls Design Engineer vs Electrical Engineer?

AspectControls Design EngineerElectrical Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning and developing control systems for automation and machineryDesigning electrical systems, circuits, and components for various applications
CertificationsOften requires PLC, automation, or control system certificationsTypically requires electrical engineering licensure or degrees
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, automation firms, industrial settingsPower plants, electronics companies, consulting firms
Industry UsageAutomation, manufacturing, process controlPower, electronics, construction

Controls Design Engineers focus on creating control systems for automation and machinery, often requiring specialized certifications. Electrical Engineers have a broader scope, designing electrical circuits and systems across various industries. While both roles involve electrical knowledge, Controls Design Engineers specialize in automation controls, making their work more application-specific.

What are popular job titles related to Controls Design Engineer jobs in California?

For Controls Design Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Controls Design Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Controls Design Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Controls Design Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Controls Design Engineer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Controls Design Engineer jobs in CA?

For Controls Design Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Controls Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Controls Design Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,885 per year, or $43.7 per hour.

Field Engineer - Automation and Controls

EPC STAFF Acquisition and Development, LLC

Fremont, CA

$99K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

Field Engineer – Automation and Controls

Nationwide travel 100% of the time up to 2-4 years and then be based in Bay Area, CA or Boise, ID

Direct/ Salaried role, $75k-$100k ish, Full Bene’s, Bonuses, ESOP, 401k/ profit sharing, PTO, Holidays, Tuition reimbursement, ENR top 500


Engineering systems integration company to work on automation and control system projects for clients in industries such as data centers, semiconductors, life sciences, water/ wastewater, manufacturing, building automation, food and beverage.


OVERVIEW

The role entails electrical and controls engineering projects in design engineering, instrumentation, PLC/ SCADA/ HMI programming, install, commissioning, and start-up assistance.


ROLE/ RESPONSIBILITIES

• Control panels, instrumentation, BMS - wiring, installation, testing, configuration,

• Control sequences, alert configuration, and activation, trend displays and configurations, control system failures, and verification of the system graphics

• Systems level testing


REQUIRED/ HIGHLY PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• BSEE or similar 

• PLCs, HMIs, SCADA

• field instrumentation, panels, low voltage controls design, NEC

• Ladder logic, structured text, or function block diagram

• Control system software platforms (e.g., Rockwell / Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Modicon) and familiarity with relevant programming environments

• Valid driver license, NO VISA sponsorship available