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Controls Engineer Intern Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

... Controls Support (Code 105.lS), Radiological Control Office (Code 105) of NORFOLK NAVAL SHIPYARD ... OR Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a ...

DECK ELECTRICIAN SKILLBRIDGE INTERN

Newport News, VA · On-site

$17.25 - $22.75/hr

... developers to solution architects, technical subject matter experts, and system users. We ... controls, lighting maintenance, performing preventative maintenance, or welding of studs for ...

$18 - $23.50/hr

... developers to solution architects, technical subject matter experts, and system users. We ... controls, lighting maintenance, performing preventative maintenance, or welding of studs for ...

Summer 2026 Intern - VA/DC

Reston, VA · On-site

$15.50 - $20.75/hr

... support to Project Engineer, Project Superintendent, and/or Project Manager. * Assist with ... controls and reach with hands, talk, and hear. The employee is regularly required to be mobile.

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Controls Engineer Intern information

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

To thrive as a Controls Engineer Intern, you need a foundation in electrical or mechanical engineering principles, familiarity with automation concepts, and enrollment in a relevant engineering degree program. Hands-on experience with PLC programming, HMI software, and CAD tools, as well as knowledge of industry standards, are typically required. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills help interns excel in collaborative and fast-paced project environments. These skills and qualifications enable effective troubleshooting, system design, and integration essential for successful automation solutions.

What is the difference between Controls Engineer Intern vs Controls Engineer?

AspectControls Engineer InternControls Engineer
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing a degree in electrical, mechanical, or control engineering; internship experienceBachelor's or master's degree in engineering; professional certifications may be preferred
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, often in manufacturing or automation companies, supervised by experienced engineersFull-time role in design, development, and maintenance of control systems within industrial settings
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by companies hiring interns to gain future talent; common in manufacturing, automation, and roboticsFull-time position in similar industries, focusing on project execution and system optimization

The Controls Engineer Intern role is an entry-level position designed for students gaining practical experience, while the Controls Engineer is a full-time professional responsible for designing and maintaining control systems. Interns typically work under supervision, whereas engineers operate independently on complex projects.

What types of projects and responsibilities can a Controls Engineer Intern expect to work on during their internship?

As a Controls Engineer Intern, you can expect to support senior engineers on projects such as designing, programming, and testing automation systems used in manufacturing or industrial environments. Your daily tasks may include drafting electrical schematics, assisting with PLC programming, troubleshooting control panels, and helping to commission automated equipment. Interns often collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including mechanical engineers and technicians, to ensure smooth integration of control systems. This hands-on experience provides valuable exposure to real-world engineering challenges and can be a stepping stone to a full-time position.

What does a Controls Engineer Intern do?

A Controls Engineer Intern assists in designing, developing, and maintaining automated control systems used in manufacturing or industrial settings. Typical tasks include programming PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), troubleshooting equipment, and supporting senior engineers with system integration and testing. Interns gain hands-on experience with automation software and hardware, and they often contribute to projects that improve process efficiency and safety. This role is ideal for students in engineering fields who want practical experience in automation and controls technology.
What are the most commonly searched types of Controls Engineer jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Controls Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Controls Engineer Intern jobs in Virginia? For Controls Engineer Intern jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Controls Engineer Intern jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Controls Engineer Intern jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Controls Engineer Intern jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Controls Engineer Intern job openings:
Infographic showing various Controls Engineer Intern job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution.
NUCLEAR ENGINEER

$75K/yr

Other

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


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Job description

You will serve as a NUCLEAR ENGINEER in the Radiological Emergency Planning Division (Support Branch Code 105.61), Radiological Emergency Planning Division (Code 105.6), Manager Radiological Controls Support (Code 105.lS), Radiological Control Office (Code 105) of NORFOLK NAVAL SHIPYARD.Qualifications:GS-12: In addition to the Basic Requirements for this position, your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following:
  • Experience applying intensive knowledge to independently resolve complex issues in nuclear engineering, reactor plant design, operations, and materials.
  • Experience independently conducting projects to design, develop, analyze, and evaluate new processes, systems, or techniques to advance procedures for radiological emergency operations or shipyard facilities.
  • Experience reviewing technical procedures and work practices to adjust training methods and materials, ensuring they are in consonance with actual response operations.
  • Experience evaluating radiation exposure data, performing dose assessments, and conducting comprehensive risk evaluations.
  • Experience utilizing comprehensive knowledge of radiation protection standards, concepts, and regulations to assess radiological impact on personnel and recommend required corrective actions.
  • Experience demonstrating advanced skill in working with people from various backgrounds and all organizational levels to plan improvements, supported by authoritative verbal and written communication abilities.
GS-11: In addition to the Basic Requirements for this position, your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-09 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following:
  • Experience applying fundamental concepts, principles, theories, and practices of nuclear engineering, reactor plant design, operations, and materials under general guidance.
  • Experience participating in projects to design, develop, analyze, and evaluate processes, systems, or techniques affecting radiological emergency operations or naval shipyard nuclear facilities.
  • Experience assisting in the review of technical procedures, work practices in radiological emergencies, evaluation of radiation exposure data, dose assessment, and risk evaluation to support adjustments to training materials..
  • Experience applying basic knowledge of radiation protection standards, concepts, and regulations to help assess radiological impacts on personnel.
  • Experience collaborating with diverse teams and communicating effectively verbally and in writing to support facility, instrumentation, and procedural improvements.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series AND https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.Education:Applicants must meet the following basic education requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual:
Successful completion of a professional engineering degree. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree (or higher) in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET); or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.
OR
Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration For more information about EI and EIT registration requirements, please visit the National Society of Professional Engineers website at: http://www.nspe.org
OR
Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico The FE examination is not administered by the U. S. Office of Personnel Management. For more information, please visit: http://www.nspe.org/Licensure/HowtoGetLicensed/index.html.
OR
Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in engineering that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A (above). The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A (above)
OR
Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least one year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily, there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions.
Employment Type: OTHER

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