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Controls Systems Designer Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Puget Sound Energy

Engineer III - Substation Controls

Kent, WA · On-site

$111K - $141K/yr

This engineer will be responsible for designing controls systems for substations containing voltages of 12kV and above (typical transmission levels are 115 kV and 230 kV). Control systems at PSE are ...

Aetherflux

Controls Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

Design and implement motor control systems for electrically actuated valves and pumps, interfacing ... Investigate anomalies, analyze telemetry data, and iterate on control designs to improve ...

Climate Corps

Building Commissioning Fellow

Seattle, WA · Hybrid

$4.5K/mo

... controls systems are installed correctly and operating as designed - meeting energy code requirements and delivering the comfort and performance occupants expect. After installation and prior to ...

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Controls Systems Designer information

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$20

$44

$71

How much do controls systems designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for controls systems designer in Seattle, WA is $44.21, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33.08 and $51.97 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by a controls systems designer when working on multidisciplinary project teams?

Controls Systems Designers often collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers, which can present challenges in aligning technical requirements and timelines. Effective communication and a strong understanding of each discipline's needs are essential to ensure seamless integration of control systems with other project components. Additionally, adapting to evolving project specifications and resolving unforeseen technical issues require flexibility and proactive problem-solving skills. Navigating these challenges successfully helps ensure project goals are met and fosters strong professional relationships within the team.

What is a controls systems designer?

A Controls Systems Designer is a professional who develops and implements systems that control machinery, processes, or devices within industries such as manufacturing, automation, and building management. They design control schemes, select hardware and software, and create detailed schematics and documentation. Their work ensures that automated systems operate safely, efficiently, and according to specifications. Controls Systems Designers often collaborate with engineers, electricians, and project managers to integrate and troubleshoot these control systems.

What is the difference between Controls Systems Designer vs Controls Engineer?

AspectControls Systems DesignerControls Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in electrical, mechanical, or control systems engineering; certifications like Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST) are commonSimilar credentials, often with engineering degrees and certifications such as CCST or PE licensure
Work EnvironmentDesign-focused roles often in office settings, collaborating with engineers and project managersMore fieldwork involved, including installation, testing, and troubleshooting of control systems
Industry UsageUsed across manufacturing, automation, and industrial sectors for designing control systemsApplied in similar industries, with a focus on implementation and maintenance of control systems

Controls Systems Designers primarily focus on designing and planning control systems, while Controls Engineers are more involved in implementing, testing, and maintaining these systems. Both roles require similar credentials and work in related environments, often within the same industries.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a controls systems designer?

To thrive as a Controls Systems Designer, you need a solid background in electrical or mechanical engineering, automation principles, and control theory, typically supported by a relevant degree or certification. Proficiency with PLC programming, CAD software, SCADA systems, and industry standards like IEC 61131 is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you excel in interdisciplinary teams and manage complex projects. These skills ensure reliable and efficient system designs that meet client specifications and regulatory requirements.
What are popular job titles related to Controls Systems Designer jobs in Seattle, WA? For Controls Systems Designer jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Controls Systems Designer jobs in Seattle, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Controls Systems Designer jobs in Seattle, WA are:
Controls Systems Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Controls Systems Designer job openings in Seattle, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, and 10% Part Time. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,965 per year, or $44.2 per hour.

Senior Electrical Systems Engineer

Helion Energy

Everett, WA • On-site

$200K - $240K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description

About Helion
We are a fusion power company based in Everett, WA, with the mission to build the world's first fusion power plant, enabling a future with unlimited clean electricity. Our vision is a world with clean, reliable, and affordable energy for everyone.
Since Helion's founding in 2013, we have raised $1.5 billion from long-time investors such as Sam Altman, Mithril, and Capricorn Investment Group as well as new investors including Thrive Capital, LightSpeed Venture Capital, SoftBank, and others to propel us forward. Our current prototype, Polaris, has reached record-breaking plasma temperatures of 150 million degrees Celsius (13 keV). Helion is continuing to iterate and on the path to the world's first fusion power plant, Orion.
This is a pivotal time to join Helion. You will tackle real-world challenges with a team that prizes urgency, rigor, ownership, and a commitment to delivering hard truths - values essential to achieving what no one has before. Together, we will change the future of energy, because the world can't wait.
What You Will Be Doing:
As a Senior Electrical Systems Engineer, you will define the electrical hardware that powers and controls our next-generation fusion machines. You will work at the architecture level to ensure electrical subsystems, including power distribution, controls interfaces, sensors, and communication networks, function together as a coherent and reliable platform. In this role, you will lead architectural decisions, own requirements and interfaces, and drive verification and hardware bring-up. You will work closely with engineering, test, and commissioning teams to translate technical objectives into implementable designs and ensure those designs perform as intended during testing and deployment. This role blends architecture development, requirements ownership, and hands-on hardware work, and is well suited for engineers who enjoy working across disciplines while remaining closely connected to the physical system.
You Will:
  • Lead the architecture and design of electrical subsystems, ensuring alignment with overall machine requirements and operational goals.
  • Define, maintain, and own system and subsystem requirements, ensuring clear traceability from top-level objectives to implemented hardware.
  • Develop, own, and maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs) that define electrical, controls, and mechanical interfaces between subsystems and suppliers.
  • Lead verification planning and execution, ensuring requirements have clear verification methods and driving testing activities.
  • Operate hands-on during hardware bring-up and prototyping, leading efforts to diagnose and resolve issues across electrical hardware, controls systems, and subsystem interfaces.
  • Drive collaboration across electrical, controls, mechanical, and test teams to ensure designs function correctly within the overall machine.
    Own integration of new hardware and subsystems during development and commissioning.
  • Drive system documentation and engineering processes, including requirements management, design reviews, and integration planning, and mentor junior engineers in these practices.

Required Skills:
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
    8+ years of experience in electrical systems engineering, integration, test, or hardware development.
  • Proven experience leading system or subsystem architecture, including defining electrical subsystems and their interactions.
  • Proven experience developing and owning technical requirements and Interface Control Documents (ICDs).
  • Expert ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and interconnect documentation.
  • Extensive hands-on experience with hardware bring-up, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis using standard lab instrumentation such as oscilloscopes, DMMs, and logic or spectrum analyzers.
  • Experience applying system safety and reliability methods, including FMEA, FMECA, or fault analysis.
  • Demonstrated experience driving work across cross-disciplinary engineering teams including electrical, controls, mechanical, and test.
  • Strong technical documentation and communication skills, including the ability to clearly capture requirements, interfaces, and design decisions and influence cross-functional teams.
  • Proven experience working with hardware suppliers or external partners to define technical requirements, review deliverables, and drive outcomes.

Desired Skills:
  • Experience in aerospace, automotive, robotics, energy systems, or other safety-critical, high-reliability industries.
  • Expertise with large-scale electrical hardware systems, including power distribution, sensing, and controls integration.
  • Strong knowledge of high-voltage or high-current electrical systems, including grounding, protection, and EMI/EMC considerations.
  • Experience using and driving adoption of requirements management and PLM tools such as Flow, Jama, DOORS, Teamcenter, or Confluence.
  • Experience leading or supporting system-level integration testing, including instrumentation, automation, and data analysis.
  • Familiarity with and application of electrical interconnect systems and harness manufacturing standards such as IPC/WHMA-A-620 or related industry practices.
  • Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in fast-paced development environments where both engineering rigor and development speed are required.
  • Demonstrated ownership and leadership of hardware development efforts from concept through deployment, including coordination with suppliers and cross-disciplinary teams.

#LI-Onsite #LI-KL1
Benefits
Our total compensation package includes benefits, including but not limited to:
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision plans for employees and their families
  • 31 Days of PTO (21 vacation days and 10 sick days)
  • 10 Paid holidays, plus company-wide winter break
  • Up to 5% employer 401(k) match
  • Short term disability, long term disability, and life insurance
  • Paid parental leave and support (up to 16 weeks)
  • Annual wellness stipend

Helion is an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the interview process, please let us know.

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