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Electrical Controls Engineering Jobs in Houston, TX

controls software engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$40.75 - $52/hr

Required Knowledge/Skills, Education, and Experience: • Bachelor's degree in electrical, instrumentation and controls engineering or similar, or 10 years of relevant experience. • Proficient with ...

Controls Engineer

The Woodlands, TX · On-site

$76K - $98K/yr

Provides direction of Electrical Engineering Designers on the design and drawing of controls * Reviews detail equipment designs as compared to P&IDs and other design documents * Consult and ...

Controls Engineer

The Woodlands, TX · On-site

$76K - $98K/yr

Provides direction of Electrical Engineering Designers on the design and drawing of controls * Reviews detail equipment designs as compared to P&IDs and other design documents * Consult and ...

Controls Engineer

The Woodlands, TX · On-site

$74K - $96K/yr

Provides direction of Electrical Engineering Designers on the design and drawing of controls * Reviews detail equipment designs as compared to P&IDs and other design documents * Consult and ...

Showing results 41-60

Electrical Controls Engineering information

See Houston, TX salary details

$41.1K

$89.7K

$124.6K

How much do electrical controls engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for electrical controls engineering in Houston, TX is $89,730.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,400.00 and $102,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is electrical controls engineering?

Electrical Controls Engineering is a field focused on designing, developing, and maintaining systems that control electrical devices and machinery. Professionals in this area use principles of electrical engineering, automation, and computer technology to create control systems for manufacturing equipment, industrial processes, and large-scale electrical systems. They work with hardware like sensors and actuators, as well as software such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs), to ensure operations run efficiently and safely. Electrical Controls Engineers often collaborate with other engineers and technicians to troubleshoot, optimize, and upgrade control systems.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an electrical controls engineer?

To thrive as an Electrical Controls Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering principles, control system design, and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with PLC programming, SCADA systems, HMI interfaces, and industry-standard software like AutoCAD is typically required, along with certifications such as a Professional Engineer (PE) license being advantageous. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and troubleshooting complex systems. These skills and qualifications are vital for ensuring the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of automated processes in industrial environments.

How does an electrical controls engineer typically collaborate with other departments during a project?

Electrical Controls Engineers frequently work alongside mechanical engineers, project managers, and production teams to ensure that system designs align with overall project requirements. Collaboration often involves reviewing design schematics, troubleshooting equipment issues, and integrating control systems with mechanical components. Regular meetings and cross-functional problem-solving sessions are common, especially during the commissioning and testing phases. Effective communication and teamwork are essential to ensure projects are completed on time and meet safety and performance standards.

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

AspectElectrical Controls EngineeringElectrical Design Engineering
CertificationsPE license, NICET certificationsPE license, AutoCAD certifications
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, automation facilitiesArchitectural firms, construction sites
Industry UsageAutomation, control systems, manufacturingBuilding design, infrastructure projects
Job FocusDesign and implementation of control systemsElectrical system planning and detailed design

Electrical Controls Engineering primarily focuses on designing and implementing control systems for industrial automation, while Electrical Design Engineering emphasizes planning and designing electrical systems for buildings and infrastructure. Both roles require similar certifications and often overlap in industry usage, but their core responsibilities and work environments differ.

Infographic showing various Electrical Controls Engineering job openings in Houston, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,730 per year, or $43.1 per hour.

Sr. Project Engineer - Instrumentation & Controls

Houston, TX

$94K - $124K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, PTO

Re-posted 19 hours ago


LJA Engineering rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 27 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

 WHAT LJA HAS TO OFFER

LJA is offering an exciting opportunity that will allow you to reach your full career potential. The structure of our organization is designed to amplify your capabilities while gaining the benefits of being an employee-owner. What truly sets this opportunity apart is the chance to collaborate every day with dedicated, skilled, and supportive leaders. Whether you are in the office, in the field, or behind the scenes, working at LJA gives you the chance to grow through hands-on experience and exposure to a broad range of clients and services.

WHAT MAKES LJA DIFFERENT

At LJA, our employee-owners take pride in their work and their workplace. We’re guided by leaders who foster a culture of respect, collaboration and a shared vision of success.  Our difference is evident in the experiences and opportunities we provide:

  • Employee-owned. Client-focused
  • Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
  • Consistently ranked as a Top Workplace
  • Internal recruitment team, in-house training, and a marketing department specific to our industry
  • We celebrate flexibility, allowing every team and office to lead with their proven approach
  • Our culture champions continuous learning and personal growth
  • We believe success comes through constant evolution and communication
  • We are passionate about having fun and making money, all while creating impact

POSITION OVERVIEW: As a Sr. Project Engineer at LJA Energy, you will support instrumentation and controls engineering for oil and gas midstream facilities, including natural gas processing plants, compressor stations, pipeline facilities, pump stations, terminals, metering facilities, liquids-handling systems, and brownfield modifications. This role is focused on engineering definition, specification, coordination, checking, and professional oversight of instrumentation and control systems. The ideal candidate is a licensed Professional Engineer who is prepared to take technical ownership of assigned work, serve as Engineer of Record, and collaborate directly with clients, vendors, project managers, and multidisciplinary engineering teams.

A TYPICAL DAY MIGHT INCLUDE:

  • Developing instrumentation and controls deliverables for feasibility studies, front-end engineering, detailed engineering, facility modifications, debottlenecking projects, and brownfield installations.
  • Selecting and specifying field instrumentation for pressure, temperature, flow, level, composition, vibration, speed, density, and other process variables.
  • Preparing, reviewing, and approving instrument indexes, data sheets, I/O lists, alarm and setpoint lists, specifications, location plans, installation details, control-system architecture diagrams, material takeoffs, and procurement specifications.
  • Reviewing P&IDs for instrumentation, control loops, alarms, shutdowns, safeguards, control valves, isolation requirements, and consistency with the project design basis.
  • Developing and reviewing control philosophies, control narratives, operating philosophies, alarm philosophies, shutdown philosophies, cause-and-effect diagrams, interlock descriptions, and sequence-of-operation documents.
  • Coordinating control-system requirements with process engineers, operations personnel, control-system programmers, system integrators, vendors, and client automation personnel.
  • Supporting metering, measurement, fire and gas, safety systems, procurement, vendor coordination, field investigations, construction support, and quality reviews.
  • Managing assigned work within approved project scope, budget, and schedule while identifying technical, quality, resource, and schedule concerns.
  • Providing technical direction, mentorship, and review for supporting engineers, designers, and drafters.
  • Representing LJA professionally in client meetings, site visits, design reviews, vendor discussions, and multidisciplinary project coordination.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or another engineering discipline directly applicable to instrumentation and control systems.
  • Current and active Professional Engineer license in at least one United States jurisdiction.
  • Willingness and eligibility to obtain professional engineering licensure by comity in Texas and other states where LJA performs project work within an agreed and reasonably short period.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Minimum of seven years of directly relevant instrumentation and controls engineering experience.
  • Direct experience with oil and gas midstream facilities.
  • Experience working within an engineering consulting, EPC, or midstream operating-company environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to prepare, check, approve, and take professional responsibility for instrumentation and controls deliverables.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of field instrumentation, control systems, shutdown systems, metering systems, and industrial communications.
  • Ability to accept professional responsibility for assigned instrumentation and controls work and serve as Engineer of Record within the limits of education, experience, licensure, and technical competence.
  • Strong working knowledge of field instrumentation, industrial control systems, and midstream facility operations.
  • Experience specifying pressure, temperature, flow, level, analytical, vibration, and other process instrumentation.
  • Experience specifying control valves, shutdown valves, actuators, regulators, solenoids, switches, and related accessories.
  • Understanding of PLC, RTU, DCS, SCADA, HMI, safety-system, and packaged-equipment control-system applications.
  • Knowledge of hazardous-area classification and instrumentation requirements for classified locations.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams.
  • Ability to work from LJA’s Houston office during the three-month probationary period.
  • Ability to travel to operating facilities and client locations when required.

IDEALLY, YOU SHOULD ALSO HAVE:

  • Ten or more years of instrumentation and controls engineering experience.
  • Previous experience serving as Engineer of Record.
  • Experience as an instrumentation and controls discipline lead or technical authority.
  • Experience with both greenfield and brownfield midstream projects.
  • Experience with gas and liquid custody-transfer metering systems.
  • Experience with compressor controls, anti-surge controls, vibration monitoring, and machinery-protection systems.
  • Experience with fire and gas detection systems, safety instrumented systems, and safety lifecycle documentation.
  • Experience participating in or facilitating HAZOP, LOPA, and SIL-assessment sessions.
  • Experience with compressor stations, gas plants, meter stations, pump stations, terminals, or pipeline facilities.
  • Experience conducting field investigations, facility walkdowns, commissioning, start-up, factory acceptance testing, or site acceptance testing.
  • Familiarity with AutoCAD, CADWorx, Bluebeam Revu, document-management systems, and engineering drawing-review software.

LEVEL UP WITH LJA

At LJA, we’re 100% employee-owned. This drives results, rewards ambition and supports long-term success for every team member. With almost 100 locations and 3,000+ employee-owners (and growing), we’re building something big! We want you to be part of it. Your future grows here.

  • Generous Time Off: PTO, paid holidays, and a full office closure between Christmas and New Year’s.
  • Comprehensive Benefits: Multiple plan options for health, dental, and pets. Along with mental health support.
  • Family Support: Paid maternity and parental leave to help you focus on what matters most.
  • Education Support: Tuition reimbursement and in-house courses provided by our Learning and Development team.
  • Referral Bonuses: Know great talent? Get rewarded for helping us grow.
  • Community Impact: Company-sponsored volunteer days and philanthropic initiatives.
  • Professional Development: Memberships to industry organizations to keep you connected and growing.
  • Career Growth: Great internal mobility opportunities to advance your career.
  • Fun Culture: LJA social events, employee sports teams, bring your kid to work day, etc.

To Executive Search Firms & Staffing Agencies: LJA, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes from any agencies that have not signed a service agreement. All unsolicited resumes will be considered LJA's property. This includes resumes submitted directly to hiring managers without contacting LJA's Human Resources Talent Department.


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