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Controls Engineer Jobs in Columbia, SC (NOW HIRING)

SST Direct

Senior Controls Specialist

Columbia, SC · On-site

$90K - $125K/yr

Senior Controls Specialist Location: Columbia, South Carolina Employment Type: Full-Time Schedule ... This role is responsible for leading the design, programming, integration, commissioning, and ...

SST Direct

Senior Controls Specialist

Lexington, SC · On-site

$90K - $125K/yr

Senior Controls Specialist Location: Columbia, South Carolina Employment Type: Full-Time Schedule ... This role is responsible for leading the design, programming, integration, commissioning, and ...

Alpek Polyester USA

Controls/DCS Technician

Gaston, SC

$28.50 - $37.75/hr

Responsibilities The Controls/DCS Technician will report to the Site Electrical Engineer and have responsibilities for the following tasks: * Provide hands-on automation and controls support for ...

AECOM

Automation Engineer

Columbia, SC · On-site

This role is ideal for candidates with experience as an Automation Engineer, Controls Engineer, or Electrical Engineer working with: * PLCs * SCADA systems * Industrial automation and systems ...

AVANTech, LLC

Project Controls

Columbia, SC · On-site

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Finance, Business, or related field (experience in lieu of degree) * 3+ years of experience in project controls, project finance or related role * Strong ...

AVANTech, LLC

Project Controls

Columbia, SC

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Finance, Business, or related field (experience in lieu of degree) * 3+ years of experience in project controls, project finance or related role * Strong ...

Adecco

Controls DCS Technician

Gaston, SC

$70K - $75K/yr

The Controls/DCS Technician will report to the Site Electrical Engineer and have responsibilities for the following tasks: * Provide hands-on automation and controls support for manufacturing systems ...

AECOM

Automation Engineer

Columbia, SC · On-site

This role is ideal for candidates with experience as an Automation Engineer, Controls Engineer, or Electrical Engineer working with: * PLCs * SCADA systems * Industrial automation and systems ...

AECOM

Automation Engineer

Columbia, SC

This is a customer-facing Automation Engineer role supporting industrial automation environments.  This role is ideal for candidates with experience as an Automation Engineer, Controls Engineer, or ...

AECOM

Automation Engineer

Columbia, SC · On-site

This role is ideal for candidates with experience as an Automation Engineer, Controls Engineer, or Electrical Engineer working with: * PLCs * SCADA systems * Industrial automation and systems ...

AECOM

Automation Engineer

Columbia, SC · On-site

This role is ideal for candidates with experience as an Automation Engineer, Controls Engineer, or Electrical Engineer working with: * PLCs * SCADA systems * Industrial automation and systems ...

AECOM

Automation Engineer

Columbia, SC · On-site

This role is ideal for candidates with experience as an Automation Engineer, Controls Engineer, or Electrical Engineer working with: * PLCs * SCADA systems * Industrial automation and systems ...

AECOM

Automation Engineer

Columbia, SC

This role is ideal for candidates with experience as an Automation Engineer, Controls Engineer, or Electrical Engineer working with: * PLCs * SCADA systems * Industrial automation and systems ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsControls Engineer JobsControls Engineer Jobs in Columbia, SC

Controls Engineer information

See Columbia, SC salary details

$50.9K

$89.3K

$121.2K

How much do controls engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for controls engineer in Columbia, SC is $89,344.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,200.00 and $99,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a controls engineer do?

A Controls Engineer designs, develops, and maintains systems that control machinery and processes in industries such as manufacturing, automotive, and energy. They work with automation systems, including programmable logic controllers (PLCs), sensors, actuators, and human-machine interfaces (HMIs) to ensure efficient, safe, and reliable operation. Controls Engineers also troubleshoot and optimize existing systems, implement upgrades, and ensure compliance with safety standards. Their expertise is crucial for improving productivity, reducing downtime, and integrating new technologies into production environments.

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

To thrive as a Controls Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, automation, and process control, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with PLC programming, SCADA systems, HMI software, and certifications such as Professional Engineer (PE) or Siemens/Rockwell training are commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help distinguish top performers in this field. These skills ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of automated systems critical to industrial and manufacturing environments.

What are common challenges faced by controls engineers when working on multidisciplinary project teams?

Controls Engineers frequently collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers, which can present challenges in aligning design standards, timelines, and communication styles. They must ensure that control systems integrate seamlessly with hardware and software components while also meeting safety and regulatory requirements. Effective communication and adaptability are essential, as Controls Engineers often act as a bridge between technical disciplines to troubleshoot issues and implement solutions efficiently.

What is the difference between Controls Engineer vs Electrical Engineer?

AspectControls EngineerElectrical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical, Mechanical, or Controls Engineering; certifications like Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST)Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering; Professional Engineer (PE) license often preferred
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, automation facilities, industrial settingsDesign offices, research labs, power plants, industrial sites
Industry UsageAutomation, manufacturing, process controlPower generation, electronics, telecommunications, industrial systems
Common Search/ComparisonControls Engineer vs Electrical Engineer

Controls Engineers focus on designing, developing, and maintaining control systems for automation and manufacturing processes, often working closely with machinery and PLCs. Electrical Engineers have a broader scope, working on electrical systems, power distribution, and electronic devices. While both roles require electrical knowledge and certifications, Controls Engineers specialize more in automation and control systems, whereas Electrical Engineers may work across various electrical disciplines.

More about Controls Engineer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Controls Engineer jobs in Columbia, SC?

The most popular types of Controls Engineer jobs in Columbia, SC are:

What are popular job titles related to Controls Engineer jobs in Columbia, SC?

For Controls Engineer jobs in Columbia, SC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Controls Engineer jobs in Columbia, SC look for?

The top searched job categories for Controls Engineer jobs in Columbia, SC are:

What cities near Columbia, SC are hiring for Controls Engineer jobs?

Cities near Columbia, SC with the most Controls Engineer job openings:

Controls Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Controls Engineer job openings in Columbia, SC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,344 per year, or $43 per hour.

Senior AI/ML C++ software engineer

MLS Technologies

Lexington, SC • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

Senior Embedded Controls Engineer: C++/Linux and Machine Learning exp.
As an AI Machine Learning Engineer focus will be on designing and developing scalable solutions using AI tools and machine learning models. Addressing various neural network-related challenges in transportation sector. This involves leveraging big data computation and storage tools to create prototypes and datasets, conducting model training and evaluations, integrating solutions, performing bench tests and onsite tests, tuning, and monitoring. Proficiency in languages such as C and C++ is required, along with software development for Linux platforms.
Your responsibilities
Design and develop real time AI ? Neural Network solutions for transportation industry maintenance equipment. Implementing appropriate ML algorithms.
Write clean, documented code following best practices.
Develop and implement communication protocols.
Work independently and collaboratively with a motivated team.
Generate requirements and design documentation.
Plan for, design, and deliver testing, and tested products into the QA process.
Apply communication and problem-solving skills to solve software issues related to the design, development, deployment, testing, and operation of systems.
Job Requirements
Minimum Security Clearance:
Bondable
Qualifications
Education
Master"s / Bachelor"s degree in Software Engineering or similar experience.
Experience
5+ years of experience in developing CNN, R-CNN type neural network for computer vision tasks.
5+ years of experience in Software development using C++ & Linux embedded.
Experience with Supervised and Semi-Supervised Learning, Deep Learning, Support Vector Machines, Linear and Logistic Regression.
Working knowledge of AI Framework such as TensorFlow, Caf?, PyTorch, Keras, Darknet and OpenCV.
Working knowledge of AI edge devices such as NVIDIA Jetson / Nano / Orin.
Knowledge of the Linux Operating System.
Preferred Experience
Experience using statistical computer languages (R, Python, SQL etc.) to manipulate data and draw insights from large data sets.
Experience working with and creating data architectures.
Knowledge of a variety of machine learning techniques (semantic segmentation, clustering, decision tree learning, artificial neural networks, etc.) and their real-world advantages/drawbacks.
Knowledge of advanced statistical techniques and concepts (regression, properties of distributions, statistical tests, and proper usage, etc.) and experience with applications.
Experience with edge computing & controlling devices (On-device deployment in C/C++ or similar) for real time application.
Experience with optimizing neural networks to perform well on low-power mobile platforms (e.g. pruning, distillation, quantization).

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