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Engineer Controls Engineer Jobs in Arlington, VA

Controls Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$95K - $122K/yr

The Controls Engineer will provide onsite and remote engineering, programming, troubleshooting, operations, and maintenance support for a diverse portfolio of industrial control and building ...

Controls Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$94K - $121K/yr

Controls Engineer | 5-days onsite in Washington, DC | Pay: 60k - 100k/yr | 6-month contract-to-hire The Controls Engineer designs, programs, tests, and commissions control systems for mission ...

Controls Engineer

Columbia, MD · Hybrid

$88K - $125K/yr

ENR top 500 firm at #170 We have a Controls Engineer position open in Columbia, MD. This position is responsible for electrical/controls engineering on large-scale projects. Project requirements ...

Controls Engineer

Reston, VA · Hybrid

$86K - $112K/yr

This position is responsible for controls engineering project requirements involving control system design, control panel design, PLC programming, instrumentation, check out support and start-up ...

Controls Engineer

Tysons, VA · On-site

$84K - $109K/yr

Controls Engineer | Onsite in Tysons, VA | Pay: 125k - 187k/yr | Permanent Position This role focuses on the design, programming, integration, and commissioning of advanced control and automation ...

Controls Engineer

Columbia, MD · On-site

$88K - $125K/yr

ENR top 500 firm at #170 We have a Controls Engineer position open in Columbia, MD. This position is responsible for electrical/controls engineering on large-scale projects. Project requirements ...

Controls Engineer

Sterling, VA · On-site

$82K - $107K/yr

Controls Engineer Who You'll Work With You will join one of our 45 offices in the US, be part of a committed team of over 1500 professionals, and work in teams and directly with our clients doing ...

Controls Engineer

Sterling, VA · On-site

$82K - $107K/yr

Controls Engineer Who You'll Work With You will join one of our 45 offices in the US, be part of a committed team of over 1500 professionals, and work in teams and directly with our clients doing ...

Controls Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$86K - $112K/yr

This position is responsible for controls engineering project requirements involving control system design, control panel design, PLC programming, instrumentation, check out support and start-up ...

Controls Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$88K - $114K/yr

Fusion is seeking a highly qualified Controls Engineer to support infrastructure characterization and control system modeling activities. This role supports mission-critical Department of Defense ...

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Showing results 1-20

Engineer Controls Engineer information

See Arlington, VA salary details

$63.3K

$111.1K

$150.7K

How much do engineer controls engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for engineer controls engineer in Arlington, VA is $111,104.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $96,100.00 and $124,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectControls EngineerElectrical Engineer
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 EnvironmentIndustrial settings, manufacturing plants, automation facilitiesPower plants, electronics, telecommunications, industrial facilities
Industry UsageAutomation, manufacturing, process controlPower systems, electronics, telecommunications

Controls Engineers focus on designing, developing, and maintaining control systems for automation and manufacturing processes, while Electrical Engineers work on electrical systems, power distribution, and electronic devices. Both roles require similar credentials and often overlap in industrial environments, but their primary responsibilities and areas of expertise differ.

How much do controls engineers get paid?

Controls engineers typically earn a median annual salary between $70,000 and $100,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions may start around $60,000, while experienced professionals with specialized skills or certifications can earn over $110,000. Salaries can also vary based on the complexity of control systems and the use of programming tools like PLCs and SCADA systems.

What does a controls engineer do?

A controls engineer designs, develops, and maintains control systems used to operate machinery and processes in manufacturing, automation, and industrial settings. They work with programmable logic controllers (PLCs), sensors, and software to ensure systems function efficiently and safely, often requiring knowledge of electrical, mechanical, and software engineering. Controls engineers also troubleshoot issues, optimize system performance, and may hold certifications in automation or control systems.

What are popular job titles related to Engineer Controls Engineer jobs in Arlington, VA?

For Engineer Controls Engineer jobs in Arlington, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Engineer Controls Engineer jobs in Arlington, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Engineer Controls Engineer jobs in Arlington, VA are:

What cities near Arlington, VA are hiring for Engineer Controls Engineer jobs?

Cities near Arlington, VA with the most Engineer Controls Engineer job openings:

Controls Engineer

Wunderlich-Malec Engineering, Inc

Columbia, MD • Hybrid

$88K - $125K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description

Wunderlich-Malec Engineering (WM) is a 100% employee-owned ESOP and one of the largest and most well-established engineering companies in the United States. When you join WM you become part of a company that is:

  • 100% employee-owned with 40+ years of industry history
  • A Top 5 Systems Integrator Giant
  • ENR top 500 firm at #170

We have a Controls Engineer position open in Columbia, MD. This position is responsible for electrical/controls engineering on large-scale projects. Project requirements involve control system design from scratch (hardware/software/network), electrical panel design and power calculations, risk assessment, component selection and configuration, control system programming, and control system installation/commissioning.

Major Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and implement control systems (logic software and hardware) to meet integrated system requirements in multiple industries.
  • Be part of an engineering team providing engineering services to large and small projects
  • Develop control logic software and user interface applications.
  • Develop schematics detailing control system configuration and wiring, and design equipment panel layouts on AutoCAD software.
  • Assist with initial start-up and debug integrated systems and the development of system documentation.
  • Work on automation and control system integration projects for clients in industries such as power generation, pharma/biotech, water/wastewater, data centers, etc.
  • Adheres to scope, quality, schedule, and budget requirements of assigned tasks
  • Develops collaborative partnerships with clients and colleagues
  • Organized and disciplined with excellent time management practices that prioritize work correctly and provide accurate completion dates to management

Minimum Requirements

Education BS Electrical Engineering, BS Computer Engineering, or BS Chemical Engineering is preferred.  An AA in Engineering Technology or equivalent experience may be substituted.

Experience Two to eight years of experience in or exposure to the areas below is preferred:

  • An in-depth understanding of control systems, components, ladder logic programming, SCADA programming, and their applications (i.e., Inductive Ignition, Wonderware InTouch, ICONICS Genesis64, or Rockwell Factory Talk.) Experience with instrumentation and controls design as well as PLC (i.e., Rockwell Automation, GE, Modicon, or Siemens) and/or SCADA required.  Experience with AutoCAD and an understanding of basic electrical circuits is also desired
  • Working experience in the Life Sciences industry, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, or medical devices is preferred, but not required if strong Emerson DeltaV experience from other industries

Physical Demands of Position Writing, computer work, variable travel amounts, fieldwork in industrial settings, seeing, color perception, hearing, clear speech, dexterity in hands, driving, lifting, climbing, and ability to mount and dismount equipment, pushing, and pulling.

Working Environment Standard office environment, On-site office environment, and diverse industrial environments. Frequent PC usage, copy machines, phones, etc.

*Job Descriptions are not exhaustive lists of all skills, responsibilities, or efforts associated with a job.  They reflect principal job elements essential for performing the job and evaluating performance.

Wunderlich-Malec is proud to offer a comprehensive employee-owner benefit package. Full-time employees may be eligible for the following benefits: Medical • Dental • Vision • Basic and Supplemental Life and AD&D • Long Term Disability • Voluntary Short Term Disability • Healthcare & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts • Health Savings Account • Paid Time Off (PTO) • Paid Holidays • Tuition Reimbursement • Referral Bonus Program • 401(k)/Profit Sharing • 100% ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) • Employee Assistance Program • Will Preparation Resources • Worldwide Travel Assistance  

Salary Range The expected pay range is $88,000 - $125,000 based on experience and qualifications plus a discretionary bonus and employee stock program. 

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