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Entry Level Controls Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Chenega MIOS

Jr Cyber Security Engineer

Vienna, VA

Implementing and validating security controls aligned with NIST 800-53, CNSSI 1253, and related DoD ... From entry-level employees to senior leaders, we believe theres always room to learn. We offer ...

Danone

Process Engineer

Mount Crawford, VA

POSITION DESCRIPTION: The Process Engineer is an entry level, onsite position based in a ... tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; stoop; kneel; crouch; crawl; taste and/or smell ...

Danone

Process Engineer

Mount Crawford, VA · On-site

POSITION DESCRIPTION: The Process Engineer is an entry level, onsite position based in a ... tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; stoop; kneel; crouch; crawl; taste and/or smell ...

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Entry Level Controls Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$54.5K

$95.7K

$129.9K

How much do entry level controls engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level controls engineer in Virginia is $95,745.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,800.00 and $107,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Entry Level Controls Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Controls Engineer, you should have a solid understanding of electrical engineering principles, basic programming skills (such as PLC or ladder logic), and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with industrial automation tools like Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs), and SCADA systems is typically expected. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills make candidates stand out in this role. These skills ensure you can efficiently design, troubleshoot, and implement control systems that are safe, reliable, and meet client specifications.

What is an Entry Level Controls Engineer job?

An Entry Level Controls Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and troubleshooting control systems used in manufacturing and automation. They work with PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), HMIs (Human-Machine Interfaces), and other automation components to optimize system performance. Typical tasks include programming, testing, and debugging control systems, as well as collaborating with senior engineers and technicians. This role requires a background in electrical or mechanical engineering, along with knowledge of automation software and hardware. Entry-level positions often involve hands-on training and mentorship to build technical expertise.

What are the main types of projects or systems an Entry Level Controls Engineer typically works on?

As an Entry Level Controls Engineer, you will often be involved in designing, programming, and maintaining automated control systems for manufacturing lines, industrial machinery, or building automation projects. Your typical responsibilities might include configuring PLCs, developing HMI screens, conducting system testing, and assisting with troubleshooting both in the office and on-site. You will collaborate closely with senior engineers, project managers, and technicians to ensure projects are delivered on time and meet quality standards. This hands-on experience gives you valuable exposure to different industries and technologies, laying the groundwork for future specialization or advancement within controls engineering.

What are the most commonly searched types of Controls Engineer jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Controls Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Controls Engineer jobs in Virginia? For Entry Level Controls Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Controls Engineer jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Controls Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Entry Level Controls Engineer jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Entry Level Controls Engineer job openings:
Entry Level Controls Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Controls Engineer job openings in Virginia as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,745 per year, or $46 per hour.
Project Engineer 1 - New College Grad 2025 - 2026 (E&C - Sterling, VA)

Project Engineer 1 - New College Grad 2025 - 2026 (E&C - Sterling, VA)

M.C. Dean, Inc

Sterling, VA • On-site

$66K - $87K/yr

Full-time

Posted 21 hours ago

M.C. Dean rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 43 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

208th of 355 rated engineering

Job description

Overview
About M.C. Dean
M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence™. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation's most mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. With over 7,000 employees, our capabilities span electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life safety, automation and controls, audiovisual, and IT systems. Headquarters in Tysons, Virginia, M.C. Dean delivers resilient, secure, and innovative power and technology solutions through engineering expertise and smart systems integration.
Why Join Us?
Our people are passionate about engineering innovation that improves lives and drives impactful change. Guided by our core values-agility, expertise, and trust-we foster a collaborative and forward-thinking work environment. At M.C. Dean, we are committed to building the next generation of technical leaders in electrical, engineering, and cybersecurity industries.
We are seeking new college graduates driven to excellence and inspired to build a smarter, more sustainable, and connected future. Engineers who join M.C. Dean's team will have access to a wide range of technical fields supporting mission-critical projects that help our customers shape the modern world.
Our early career associates work side-by-side with experienced professionals in our corporate offices, testing labs, project sites, or world-class manufacturing facility to put problem solving and creativity to work. Join us to build expertise through a combination of formal training programs and experiential, on-the-job learning to develop a broad and highly advanced skillset across the company's integrated business units.?
Responsibilities
Our Engineer 1 - New College Grad roles include:
  • Control Engineer: Design, develop, install, and maintain equipment used to monitor and control systems, machinery, and processes

  • Design Engineer: Develop, integrate, and support project engineering deliverables through drawings, specifications, product selection, installation sequence planning, and commissioning

  • Energy Engineer: Drive energy efficiency initiatives, reducing operational costs, and supporting our commitment to sustainability

  • Software Engineer: Provide software development services such as programming for projects and infrastructure support required for the creation of enterprise software in Client and Web environments

  • Systems Engineer: Provide system programming and management support for large scale networking infrastructures, including high performance computer configurations as well as other systems

  • Telecommunications Engineer: Design, coordinate, and specify telecommunication distribution systems and infrastructure for medium to large projects

Qualifications
Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical, Mechanical, Systems, or Industrial Engineering, or similar discipline

  • Professional or academic experience using technical solutions such as CAD, SolidWorks, Revit, Python, SCADA, MATLAB, VHDL, or similar

Abilities:
  • Exposure to computer screens for an extended period of time
  • Sitting for extended periods of time.
  • Reach by extending hands or arms in any direction.
  • Have finger dexterity in order to manipulate objects with fingers rather than whole hands or arms, for example, using a keyboard.
  • Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Identify and understand the speech of another person.

What M.C. Dean employees say

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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About M.C. Dean

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence®. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation's most recognizable mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. The company's capabilities include electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life-safety, instrumentation and control, and command and control systems. M.C. Dean is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, and employs more than 5,100 professionals who engineer and deploy automated, secure, and resilient power and technology systems; and deliver the management platforms essential for long-term system sustainability.

Industry

Engineering professional services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Tysons, VA, US

Year founded

1949

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