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Entry Level Controls Engineer Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

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Entry Level Controls Engineer information

See Silver Spring, MD salary details

$56.9K

$99.8K

$135.4K

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

As of Jul 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level controls engineer in Silver Spring, MD is $99,836.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,300.00 and $111,600.00 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 popular job titles related to Entry Level Controls Engineer jobs in Silver Spring, MD? For Entry Level Controls Engineer jobs in Silver Spring, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Controls Engineer jobs in Silver Spring, MD look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Controls Engineer jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:
What cities near Silver Spring, MD are hiring for Entry Level Controls Engineer jobs? Cities near Silver Spring, MD 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 Silver Spring, MD as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,836 per year, or $48 per hour.

AI Engineer 1 - Compliance, Quality & Testing

The Nuclear Company

Washington, DC • On-site

$80K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

The Nuclear Company is the fastest growing startup in the nuclear and energy space creating a never before seen fleet-scale approach to building nuclear reactors. Through its design-once, build-many approach and coalition building across communities, regulators, and financial stakeholders, The Nuclear Company is committed to delivering safe and reliable electricity at the lowest cost, while catalyzing the nuclear industry toward rapid development in America and globally.

About the role

The Nuclear Company is hiring an AI Engineer 1 to build test automation and quality practices for NOS, the Nuclear Operating System, that meet NQA-1 nuclear quality assurance standards. NOS is the software platform behind one of the largest nuclear buildouts in the United States, and every module it ships must meet the rigor that nuclear regulation demands. This role sits at the intersection of software quality, regulatory compliance, and AI-augmented engineering.

This is a hands-on, entry-level role with a clear differentiator: you will use AI as a tool to generate, review, and improve tests, while also developing the skills to test AI-powered systems themselves. You will work alongside the Compliance/Quality/Testing Lead, ramp on NQA-1 requirements and Palantir Foundry, and help establish the verification and validation (V&V) practices that give NOS its regulatory backbone.

Responsibilities

  • Build automated test coverage (unit, integration, and end-to-end) for assigned NOS modules, using AI-assisted generation and review to accelerate coverage and catch gaps.
  • Support NQA-1 documentation efforts for digital systems, help translate regulatory quality requirements into traceable test artifacts and evidence packages.
  • Establish and refine defect tracking and V&V workflows alongside the Compliance/Quality/Testing Lead, ensuring traceability from requirement to test to resolution.
  • Ramp on Palantir Foundry, the NOS architecture, and the team's AI tooling, understanding how data flows through the system and where quality gates apply.
  • Contribute to the team's approach for testing AI-powered features within NOS, prompt regression, output validation, and behavioral consistency checks.

Required Experience

  • Computer science degree or equivalent, with 0-2 years of professional experience (internships, co-ops, and project work count).
  • Test automation fundamentals in at least one modern framework: Playwright, Cypress, Jest, PyTest, or equivalent.
  • Has used AI to generate, review, or improve tests in a real project, not just theoretical knowledge, but hands-on application.
  • Strong fundamentals in at least one backend language (Python or TypeScript preferred).
  • Good written and verbal communication, and willingness to learn the nuclear regulatory environment (NQA-1).

Preferred Experience

  • Coursework or project work testing AI/ML systems or LLM-powered applications (prompt testing, output validation, drift detection).
  • Exposure to regulated industries where quality documentation and traceability are mandatory (nuclear, aerospace, defense, medical, financial).
  • Experience with CI/CD pipelines and integrating automated tests into build/release workflows.
  • Familiarity with verification and validation (V&V) concepts, requirements traceability, or formal QA processes.
  • Exposure to Palantir Foundry or similar data/ontology platforms.
  • Understanding of version control workflows and code review practices.

Benefits

  • Competitive compensation packages
  • 401k with company match
  • Medical, dental, vision plans
  • Generous vacation policy, plus holidays

Estimated Starting Salary Range
The estimated starting salary range for this role is $80,000 - $150,000 annually less applicable withholdings and deductions, paid on a bi-weekly basis. The actual salary offered may vary based on relevant factors as determined in the Company's discretion, which may include experience, qualifications, tenure, skill set, availability of qualified candidates, geographic location, certifications held, and other criteria deemed pertinent to the particular role.

EEO Statement
The Nuclear Company is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an environment of inclusion in the workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We prohibit discrimination in all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, transfer, compensation, and termination.

Export Control
Certain positions at The Nuclear Company may involve access to information and technology subject to export controls under U.S. law. Compliance with these export controls may result in The Nuclear Company limiting its consideration of certain applicants.
Recruiting Fraud Alert
Your safety is our priority. We want to ensure your job search stays secure. Please note that the team at The Nuclear Company only communicates through official @thenuclearcompany.com email addresses. We will never ask for payments or sensitive financial information at any stage of our recruitment process. For your peace of mind, please verify all openings and submit your applications directly through our official careers page.