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Controls Systems Engineer Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Persona AI

Controls Systems Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$79K - $103K/yr

Controls Systems Engineer Department: Hardware Employment Type: Full-Time Location: Houston, TX Travel: 10% Who We Are Persona AI is building humanoid robots for the most demanding environments in ...

Persona AI, Inc.

Controls Systems Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$79K - $103K/yr

Controls Systems Engineer Department: Hardware Employment Type: Full-Time Location: Houston, TX Travel: 10% Who We Are Persona AI is building humanoid robots for the most demanding environments in ...

Persona AI Inc

Controls Systems Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$79K - $103K/yr

Controls Systems Engineer Department: Hardware Employment Type: Full-Time Location: Houston, TX Travel: 10% Who We Are Persona AI is building humanoid robots for the most demanding environments in ...

Quest Global

Controls Systems Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Bachelor's degree in electrical, Controls, or related engineering field. * 10+ years of industrial PLC programming experience. * Experience with multiple PLC platforms and industrial control systems.

Quest Global

Controls Systems Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Bachelor's degree in electrical, Controls, or related engineering field. * 10+ years of industrial PLC programming experience. * Experience with multiple PLC platforms and industrial control systems.

Quest Global

Controls Systems Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Bachelor's degree in electrical, Controls, or related engineering field. * 10+ years of industrial PLC programming experience. * Experience with multiple PLC platforms and industrial control systems.

Integra Mission Critical

Controls Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$79K - $103K/yr

System Integration & Technical Leadership * Serve as a technical authority for controls system integration with manufacturing equipment, power systems, and enterprise platforms such as MES and data ...

Sapsol Technologies Inc

Controls System Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$79K - $103K/yr

PLC, Gas Turbines, Controls System Engineer Standards SCADA Allen Bradley PLC Control System ... package and systems engineering. You will need : * Bachelor's in Instrumentation or Electrical ...

Sapsol Technologies Inc

Controls System Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$79K - $103K/yr

PLC, Gas Turbines, Controls System Engineer Standards SCADA Allen Bradley PLC Control System ... package and systems engineering. You will need : * Bachelor's in Instrumentation or Electrical ...

Integra

Controls Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$71K - $93K/yr

System Integration & Technical Leadership * Serve as a technical authority for controls system integration with manufacturing equipment, power systems, and enterprise platforms such as MES and data ...

Integra Mission Critical

Controls Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$79K - $103K/yr

System Integration & Technical Leadership * Serve as a technical authority for controls system integration with manufacturing equipment, power systems, and enterprise platforms such as MES and data ...

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All JobsControls Systems Engineer JobsControls Systems Engineer Jobs in Houston, TX

Controls Systems Engineer information

See Houston, TX salary details

$52.5K

$92.2K

$125.1K

How much do controls systems engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for controls systems engineer in Houston, TX is $92,225.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,700.00 and $103,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a controls systems engineer?

Control Systems Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and maintain systems that manage, regulate, and automate processes in industries such as manufacturing, power generation, and transportation. They use principles of engineering, mathematics, and computer science to ensure that machines and processes operate efficiently, safely, and reliably. Their work often involves programming controllers, designing feedback loops, and integrating sensors and actuators to optimize system performance.

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

To thrive as a Controls Systems Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, automation, and process control, typically with a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with PLC programming, SCADA systems, HMI software, and relevant certifications like Certified Automation Professional (CAP) are highly valued. Strong problem-solving, analytical thinking, and communication skills help you work effectively with cross-functional teams and troubleshoot complex systems. These skills are vital for designing, implementing, and maintaining reliable automation solutions that optimize safety and efficiency in industrial environments.

What are some common challenges a controls systems engineer faces when working on multidisciplinary projects?

Controls Systems Engineers frequently collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software teams, which can pose coordination challenges due to differing design methodologies and project timelines. Ensuring seamless integration of control systems with various hardware and software components often requires effective communication and adaptability. Additionally, troubleshooting issues that arise during commissioning or operation—often under tight deadlines—demands strong problem-solving skills and a thorough understanding of both the control systems and the larger system architecture.

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

AspectControls Systems EngineerAutomation Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, certifications like CSCP or ISABachelor's in Engineering, certifications like Certified Automation Professional (CAP)
Work EnvironmentIndustrial plants, manufacturing facilities, control system designManufacturing, process industries, robotics, and system integration
Industry UsageHeavy industry, process control, manufacturingAutomation, robotics, process optimization

Controls Systems Engineers focus on designing, developing, and maintaining control systems for industrial processes, while Automation Engineers concentrate on implementing automation solutions, including robotics and software. Both roles require similar credentials and often work in overlapping environments, but their primary focus differs: control system design versus automation implementation.

What cities near Houston, TX are hiring for Controls Systems Engineer jobs?

Cities near Houston, TX with the most Controls Systems Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Controls Systems Engineer job openings in Houston, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,225 per year, or $44.3 per hour.

Controls Systems Engineer

Houston, TX • On-site

Persona AI
See more jobs at Persona AIexternal

$79K - $103K/yr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Posted 18 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Design, implement, and tune low-level control loops (current, torque, velocity, and position control) for electromechanical actuators.

  • Write and optimize embedded firmware that runs control loops in real time on microcontrollers or DSPs.

  • Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, autonomy, and motion planning teams to ensure control behavior supports the robot's higher-level tasks.

Job description

Job Title: Controls Systems Engineer
Department: Hardware
Employment Type: Full-Time
Location: Houston, TX
Travel: 10%
Who We Are
Persona AI is building humanoid robots for the most demanding environments in heavy industry - shipyards, steel mills, fabrication facilities, and offshore platforms - performing welding, grinding, maintenance, inspection, and material-handling work that is dangerous, physically demanding, and increasingly difficult to staff.
We are backed by leading strategic and financial investors and engaged with global industrial leaders across Korea, Japan, the United States, and Singapore. Korea is the center of gravity for our early commercial strategy, anchored by relationships with the world's leading shipbuilders and steelmakers. Our work spans both the robot platform itself and the systems, partners, and playbooks required to deploy it at scale.
Why Join Persona AI?
  • We offer competitive compensation, a performance-based bonus, 99% employer covered medical benefits, early-stage equity, competitive PTO, and a company-wide paid winter break between December 24th and January 2nd.
  • You'll shape technology that's redefining the possibilities of robotics and human interaction.
  • Work alongside passionate teammates who value creativity, and continuous learning.

About the Role
We're looking for a Controls Systems Engineer to design, implement, and tune the real-time control loops that make our actuators and joints move precisely, safely, and reliably. This is the layer that sits closest to the hardware - motor drive, current and torque control, position/velocity control, and the embedded software that runs it on real silicon, in real time, on a real robot.
You'll work hand-in-hand with electrical and mechanical engineers to understand the actuator hardware you're controlling, and with higher-level autonomy and motion-planning engineers to make sure your control loops deliver on what the robot needs to do. We're open to candidates from either a mechanical or electrical engineering background, as long as you have strong controls fundamentals and are comfortable getting hands-on with embedded hardware and real actuators on the bench
What You Will Be Doing
  • Design, implement, and tune low-level control loops (current, torque, velocity, and position control) for electromechanical actuators.
  • Write and optimize embedded firmware that runs these control loops in real time on microcontrollers or DSPs.
  • Model actuator and drivetrain dynamics (motors, gearboxes, transmissions, sensors) to inform controller design and tuning.
  • Implement and tune classical control techniques (PID, cascaded loops, feedforward, state observers) and evaluate more advanced approaches where warranted.
  • Work with electrical engineers to define current sensing, gate drive, encoder/sensor feedback, and other hardware needed to close the loop well.
  • Bring up new actuator hardware on the bench: instrument it, characterize its behavior, and get first control loops running.
  • Debug control performance issues using scopes, logic analyzers, and data logging - distinguishing hardware, firmware, and tuning problems.
  • Collaborate with motion planning, autonomy, and software teams to ensure low-level control behavior supports the robot's higher-level tasks.
  • Document control architectures, tuning procedures, and known limitations so other engineers can build on your work.

What We Are Looking For:
  • Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
  • 5+ years of experience designing and implementing low-level motor or actuator control systems (less with an advanced degree focused on controls).
  • Strong fundamentals in classical controls: PID, cascaded control loops, feedforward, and frequency-domain or state-space analysis.
  • Experience with time synchronized torque control of motors (BLDC/PMSM, FOC, current/torque control) or other electromechanical actuator force control.
  • Experience working with encoders, strain gauges, or other analog or digital sensors.
  • Hands-on embedded firmware experience in C or C++ on microcontrollers or DSPs, including real-time constraints and interrupt-driven code.
  • Comfortable designing and using filters in time critical, low-latency domains.
  • Comfortable modeling and analyzing dynamic systems (MATLAB/Simulink, Python, or similar) to design and validate controllers before and after hardware bring-up.
  • Lab fluency: comfortable with a scope, current probes, and data logging to characterize hardware and debug control performance.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the tenacity to track down issues that span hardware, firmware, and tuning.
  • A friendly, collaborative mindset, strong communication skills, and excitement to work hands-on in a dynamic, supportive team environment; design without ego.

Bonus Skills:
  • Experience controlling actuators for robotics, exoskeletons, or other articulated mechanical systems.
  • Familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS) and deterministic scheduling.
  • Experience with EtherCAT, CAN-FD, or other industrial/robotics communication protocols used for control.
  • Exposure to state estimation techniques (Kalman filters, observers) for sensor fusion at the actuator level.
  • Experience with strain-wave, cycloidal, or planetary transmissions and their impact on control design.
  • Familiarity with functional safety standards (IEC 61508, ISO 13849, ISO 26262) as applied to motor control systems.
  • Experience working closely with electrical engineers on driver hardware (gate drive, current sensing) and mechanical engineers on transmission design.
  • Comfortable reviewing schematics and PCB layouts well enough to debug control hardware issues.

Persona AI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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