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Engineer Controls Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Sr. Controls Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$99K - $131K/yr

Develop and modify controls logic programming and graphical user interfaces. Manage multiple stakeholder deliverables, requirements and navigate challenging situations. Financially manage BMS and ...

Principal Controls Engineer

Arlington, VA

$52 - $66.50/hr

Role Overview We are looking for a Principal Controls Software Engineer with a passion for software design and extensive experience with power engineering, MathWorks Matlab/Simulink, Agile Scrum ...

The Role Electra.aero is seeking a Principal Flight Controls Engineer to serve as a senior technical authority and flight controls certification subject-matter expert for the EL9 Ultra Short Takeoff ...

The Role Electra.aero is seeking a Principal Flight Controls Engineer to serve as a senior technical authority and flight controls certification subject-matter expert for the EL9 Ultra Short Takeoff ...

New

Controls Engineer - Data Centers

Sterling, VA · On-site

$82K - $107K/yr

Controls Engineer, Data Center 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 ...

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Engineer Controls Engineer information

See Reston, VA salary details

$57.2K

$100.5K

$136.3K

How much do engineer controls engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for engineer controls engineer in Reston, VA is $100,471.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,900.00 and $112,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 strong background in electrical engineering, automation, and control systems, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with PLC programming, SCADA systems, and industry certifications such as ISA or Siemens are highly beneficial. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication set top professionals apart in this field. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable automation solutions in complex industrial environments.

What are some common challenges Controls Engineers face when working on automation projects?

Controls Engineers often encounter challenges such as integrating new automation technologies with existing systems, troubleshooting complex hardware and software issues, and ensuring that all control systems meet safety and regulatory requirements. Effective communication with multidisciplinary teams—including mechanical, electrical, and software engineers—is essential to resolve technical problems efficiently. Additionally, staying updated with rapidly evolving industry standards and technologies is crucial for long-term success in this role.

Can you make $500,000 as an electrical engineer?

Electrical engineers, including controls engineers, typically earn salaries below $500,000 annually, with top earners in specialized industries or executive roles reaching higher compensation. Achieving such a salary usually requires extensive experience, advanced certifications, leadership positions, or working in high-paying sectors like aerospace or energy. Most control engineers earn between $70,000 and $130,000 per year, depending on location and expertise.

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.

What are Controls Engineers?

Controls Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and maintain systems used to control machinery and processes in industries such as manufacturing, automotive, and energy. They work with hardware and software to ensure automated systems operate efficiently, safely, and reliably. Controls Engineers often program PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), develop control algorithms, and troubleshoot automation issues. Their work is critical in optimizing production processes and integrating new technologies within industrial environments.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior control engineers, especially those with extensive experience, specialized skills in automation, and advanced certifications, can earn $300,000 or more annually. High-paying roles often involve leadership responsibilities, working in industries like aerospace, oil and gas, or large manufacturing, and may require expertise in PLCs, SCADA systems, and programming languages such as Python or C++.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced controls engineers working in specialized industries such as aerospace, oil and gas, or advanced manufacturing can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially with senior roles, bonuses, and profit sharing. These positions often require advanced skills in automation, programming, and certifications, along with extensive industry experience.

How much do control engineers get paid?

Control engineers typically earn a median annual salary between $70,000 and $110,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior or specialized control engineers with advanced skills in automation, PLC programming, and control systems may earn higher salaries, especially in high-demand sectors like manufacturing and energy.
What are popular job titles related to Engineer Controls Engineer jobs in Reston, VA? For Engineer Controls Engineer jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Engineer Controls Engineer jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Engineer Controls Engineer jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Engineer Controls Engineer jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Engineer Controls Engineer job openings:
Controls Design Engineer, Controls Design Engineering

Controls Design Engineer, Controls Design Engineering

Amazon

Herndon, VA • On-site

$85K - $111K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Amazon rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 6,870 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 39 rated national retailers


Job description

Application deadline: Jun 19, 2026
AWS Infrastructure Services owns the design, planning, delivery, and operation of all AWS global infrastructure. In other words, we're the people who keep the cloud running. We support all AWS data centers and all of the servers, storage, networking, power, and cooling equipment that ensure our customers have continual access to the innovation they rely on. We work on the most challenging problems, with thousands of variables impacting the supply chain - and we're looking for talented people who want to help.
You'll join a diverse team of software, hardware, and network engineers, supply chain specialists, security experts, operations managers, and other vital roles. You'll collaborate with people across AWS to help us deliver the highest standards for safety and security while providing seemingly infinite capacity at the lowest possible cost for our customers. And you'll experience an inclusive culture that welcomes bold ideas and empowers you to own them to completion.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is seeking an exceptional Controls Design Engineer to join our Data Center Global Services (DCGS) Controls Design Engineering (CDE) team. This role will focus on Building Management System (BMS) and Electrical Power Monitoring System (EPMS) design standards and coordination across AWS's global data center portfolio.
The Controls Design Engineering team is responsible for developing, maintaining, and enhancing global data center design standards with a focus on controls, automation, and electrical power monitoring systems. As the primary owner of BMS/EPMS specifications, Controls Points Lists (CPL), Basis of Design (BOD) documents, and scope of work within AWS's infrastructure engineering organization, CDE ensures consistency and excellence across all data center control systems.
In this role, you will serve as a single point of contact for multiple internal and external stakeholders across:
• New construction builds (Leased/Owned, Build-to-Suit, and Colocation facilities)
• Legacy site enhancement and retrofit projects
• Data center support projects
• Special initiatives and innovation projects
You will drive significant cost reductions by minimizing change orders, eliminating scope gaps between contractors, reducing construction schedule delays, optimizing vendor pricing, and decreasing project management and engineering labor costs through standardization and clear documentation.
The ideal candidate brings a comprehensive knowledge in data center environmental controls systems, IT infrastructure, networking, mechanical facility operations, electrical power monitoring, and project management, combined with strong leadership and collaboration skills.
If you are passionate about customer experience, think and act with a global perspective, and want to contribute to sophisticated innovations in building controls and automation for the world's largest cloud infrastructure, we want to hear from you.
Key Job Responsibilities:
Technical Leadership & Standards Development
• Develop and maintain deep expertise in building operations, mechanical plant strategies, BMS/EPMS programming concepts, control diagrams, industrial HVAC systems, electrical lineups, one-line diagrams, and complex environmental and electrical concepts
• Apply knowledge of data center redundancy, mechanical failure strategies, Single Point of Failure (SPOF) analysis, energy and water conservation best practices, and data reporting analytics
• Create, maintain, and disseminate specification documents and Basis of Design standards for global projects
• Develop and maintain project-specific Scope of Work (SOW) documents incorporating global design standards
• Drive innovation of new solutions to support team initiatives and company goals
Collaboration & Stakeholder Management:
• Serve as the central point of contact for multiple internal and external groups regarding BMS/EPMS controls standards
• Lead and facilitate collaboration with construction teams, controls programmers, MEP/ACS engineers, Design Engineering, Colocation Regional Engineering (CRE), and project managers to accomplish initiative goals
• Coordinate personally with regional project managers to review and finalize project SOWs
• Manage and prioritize requests for information across new construction builds, existing facility support, and legacy site enhancement projects
Vendor & Procurement Management:
• Lead vendor selection processes, bid reviews, and RFI support and coordination
• Evaluate and approve Modbus Device Templates (MDT) for electrical meters and control devices
• Review vendor submittals and technical documentation for compliance with AWS standards
Operations & Support:
• Operate successfully in high-security, mission-critical environments while maximizing productivity and maintaining safety standards
• Interact with AWS cloud services and applications to present, archive, and analyze accumulated control system data
• Participate in on-call rotations to support the global data center control system infrastructure
• Anticipate roadblocks and risks while providing escalation management and resolution
• Travel globally as needed to manage and support project initiatives
Continuous Improvement:
• Collaborate through design reviews to drive consistent standards across all delivery methods (Leased/Owned, Build-to-Suit, Colocation)
• Collect feedback data and lessons learned to arrive at unified, documented solutions
• Support risk identification and mitigation efforts during site assessments and project lifecycle phases
Key job responsibilities
Our Controls Design Engineers:
• Are controls subject matter experts (SMEs) with their knowledge of building operations, electrical generation and distribution equipment (i.e. generators, UPS etc.), mechanical plant and strategies (i.e. AHUs, chillers etc.), BMS/EPMS programming concepts, control diagrams, industrial HVAC, electrical line-ups, one-line diagrams, and complex environmental and electrical concepts
• Create, maintain, and disseminate project specific scope of work (SOW) documents, specifications and engineering drawings as well as global design standards
• Operate in high security critical environments while maximizing productivity
• Innovate to develop new solutions to support both team and company goals and initiatives
• Interpret and develop a combination of mechanical, electrical and plumbing drawings
• Are a central point of contact as technical subject matter experts for multiple internal and external groups regarding mechanical and electrical controls standards.
• Manage and prioritize requests for information on new construction builds, existing site facilities support and legacy site enhancement projects
• Ensure systems are deployed and commissioned to our documented standards
• Strive for frugality through budgetary review and approval with a strong customer focus and ability to interpret customer needs
• Are technical subject matter experts in mechanical and/or electrical controls
• Anticipate roadblocks and risks while providing escalation management
• Work quickly and autonomously to deep dive and resolve unexpected challenges
• Effectively manage external consultants' performance ensuring high quality delivery
• Review vendor bid packages and make selection recommendations
• Work across multiple projects simultaneously
• Interact with AWS cloud services and other applications in order to present, archive and analyse accumulated data
• Solve problems to drive results whilst handling multiple tasks
• Travel domestically and internationally as needed to manage your projects (circa 25% of the time)
A day in the life
As part of the EMEA controls design team, you will work with highly motivated experts and innovators in the data center industry. You will be tasked to lead the electrical and mechanical controls design of critical infrastructure projects including HV Substations, Leased and Colocation Data Centres. You will work on developing new processes and standards and test new innovations in the controls space utilizing Amazon leadership principles.
About the team
Diverse Experiences
Amazon values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn't followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don't let it stop you from applying.
Why AWS
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world's most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating - that's why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.
Work/Life Balance
We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there's nothing we can't achieve in the cloud.
Inclusive Team Culture
Here at AWS, it's in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity and AmazeCon conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.
Mentorship and Career Growth
We're continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth's Best Employer. That's why you'll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 4+ years of industrial or commercial engineering in mission critical facilities including but not limited to: data centers, power generation or oil and gas facilities experience
- 4+ years of engineering, installation, or startup/commissioning of electrical and mechanical systems experience
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, and Excel
- Experience researching new designs, technologies, and construction methods of data center equipment and facilities
- Good understanding of electrical diagrams, control diagrams, building operations, control circuits, industrial HVAC
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Professional Engineer License
- Experience with building codes and regulations for your region
- Experience carrying design concepts through exploration, development, and into deployment or mass production
- Experience reading, interpreting, and creating construction drawings, specifications, and submittal documents
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you're applying in isn't listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, CO, Denver - 116,800.00 - 160,000.00 USD annually
USA, OH, COLUMBUS - 116,800.00 - 160,000.00 USD annually
USA, TX, Austin - 116,800.00 - 160,000.00 USD annually
USA, VA, Herndon - 116,800.00 - 160,000.00 USD annually
USA, WA, Seattle - 116,800.00 - 160,000.00 USD annually

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About Amazon

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Amazon.com, Inc., commonly known as Amazon, is an American multinational technology company. It was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 and initially started as an online marketplace for books. Since then, Amazon has expanded its operations and become one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world. Amazon's primary business is its online retail platform, where customers can purchase a vast array of products, including electronics, clothing, books, home goods, and much more. The company offers a convenient and user-friendly shopping experience, with features such as fast shipping, customer reviews, and personalized recommendations. In addition to its e-commerce platform, Amazon has diversified its business into various other areas. One of its notable ventures is Amazon Web Services (AWS), a comprehensive cloud computing platform that provides services such as storage, compute power, and database management to individuals and businesses. AWS has become a leader in the cloud computing industry, powering many websites and applications worldwide. Amazon has also developed its own consumer electronics, including the popular Amazon Kindle e-reader, Fire tablets, Fire TV streaming devices, and the Alexa-powered Echo smart speakers. The Alexa voice assistant, integrated into these devices, allows users to interact with their devices using voice commands, perform tasks, and access information. Furthermore, Amazon has expanded into media and entertainment. It operates Prime Video, a streaming service that offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, and original content. Amazon Music provides a platform for streaming and purchasing digital music, while Audible offers audiobooks and other audio content. The company's commitment to customer satisfaction and convenience is demonstrated by its membership program, Amazon Prime. Prime members receive various benefits, including free two-day shipping, access to streaming services, exclusive deals, and more.

Industry

It services, book publishers, retail, real estate and computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Seattle, WA, US