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Entry Level Process Control Engineer Jobs in Durham, NC

ADDiTEC

R&D Controls Engineer

Durham, NC · On-site

$75K - $90K/yr

Background in thermal process control (welding, heat treatment, laser processing, or additive ... FPGA or microcontroller programming for custom waveform generation or high-speed signal processing

Novo Nordisk

Process Engineer I/II - SDF

Durham, NC · On-site

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field from an accredited university required with one ... Instrument & Electrical, Mechanical, Control/SCADA/PLCs, Process Improvement Methodologies, Root ...

New

Novo Nordisk

Process Engineer I/II - SDF

Durham, NC · On-site

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field from an accredited university required with one ... Instrument & Electrical, Mechanical, Control/SCADA/PLCs, Process Improvement Methodologies, Root ...

New

Novo Nordisk

Process Engineer I/II - SDF

Durham, NC · On-site

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field from an accredited university required with one ... Instrument & Electrical, Mechanical, Control/SCADA/PLCs, Process Improvement Methodologies, Root ...

New

Apperture Solutions

Senior PLC Engineer

Raleigh, NC · Hybrid

$101K - $139K/yr

The Automation Engineer will work in the development, delivery, and commissioning of PLC-based ... Configure, troubleshoot, and maintain PLCs used to control both OEM skids and custom process ...

Actalent

Field Engineer (Entry Level)

Raleigh, NC

$35 - $40/hr

Entry-Level Field Engineer Apex, NC Start a Career, Not Just a Job Looking for an opportunity to ... Learn the engineering, permitting, design, and construction process from project kickoff through ...

New

Actalent

Controls Engineer

Holly Springs, NC

$39.42 - $50/hr

Job Title: Entry Level- Traveling-Controls Engineer The Controls Engineer designs, commissions, and validates advanced automation and control systems for process manufacturing and data-centric ...

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All JobsProcess Control Engineer JobsEntry Level Process Control Engineer JobsEntry Level Process Control Engineer Jobs in Durham, NC

Entry Level Process Control Engineer information

See Durham, NC salary details

$50.7K

$95.4K

$142K

How much do entry level process control engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level process control engineer in Durham, NC is $95,431.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,000.00 and $112,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level process control engineers, and how can they overcome them?

Entry level process control engineers often encounter challenges such as learning complex automation systems, adapting to fast-paced industrial environments, and effectively troubleshooting equipment or software issues. It's common to feel overwhelmed by the need to quickly understand process flows, instrumentation, and control strategies. To overcome these hurdles, new engineers should actively seek mentorship from experienced colleagues, participate in hands-on training, and stay updated with best practices in process automation. Building strong communication skills is also essential, as the role frequently involves collaborating with operators, maintenance teams, and other engineers to ensure smooth operations.

What does an Entry Level Process Control Engineer do?

An Entry Level Process Control Engineer is responsible for assisting in the design, implementation, and optimization of control systems used in manufacturing and production processes. They work under the guidance of senior engineers to monitor system performance, troubleshoot issues, and support process improvements. Their work helps ensure that production runs efficiently, safely, and within quality standards. Typical duties may include configuring control hardware and software, collecting and analyzing process data, and collaborating with other engineering teams.

What is the difference between Entry Level Process Control Engineer vs Process Technician?

AspectEntry Level Process Control EngineerProcess Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering or related field; some certifications beneficialAssociate's degree or technical certification
Work EnvironmentDesign, programming, and troubleshooting control systems in industrial settingsOperating, maintaining, and troubleshooting equipment on the plant floor
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturing, chemical, oil & gas industriesManufacturing plants, refineries, chemical facilities

Entry Level Process Control Engineers focus on designing and optimizing control systems, while Process Technicians handle daily equipment operation and troubleshooting. Both roles are essential in industrial settings, but they differ in responsibilities and required education.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Process Control Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Process Control Engineer, you need a solid background in chemical, electrical, or mechanical engineering, typically with a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with distributed control systems (DCS), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and process simulation software is essential, and certifications like ISA CAP can be advantageous. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help you collaborate with cross-functional teams and troubleshoot process issues. These skills ensure efficient and safe operation of industrial processes, driving productivity and minimizing errors.
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Process Control Engineer jobs in Durham, NC? For Entry Level Process Control Engineer jobs in Durham, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Process Control Engineer jobs in Durham, NC look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Process Control Engineer jobs in Durham, NC are:
What cities near Durham, NC are hiring for Entry Level Process Control Engineer jobs? Cities near Durham, NC with the most Entry Level Process Control Engineer job openings:
Entry Level Process Control Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Process Control Engineer job openings in Durham, NC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,431 per year, or $45.9 per hour.
R&D Controls Engineer

R&D Controls Engineer

ADDiTEC

Durham, NC • On-site

$75K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Benefits:
  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Vision insurance

About the Role
We are seeking a driven and curious R&D Controls Engineer to join our team developing next-generation metal additive manufacturing systems, including Liquid Metal Jetting (LMJ) and Laser-Assisted Directed Energy Deposition (DED) 3D printers.
You'll work at the intersection of laser physics, thermal control, CNC/PLC programming, and real-time systems. The role involves designing control architectures that coordinate sensors and actuators at interpolation cycle rates, developing advanced waveform generation for electromagnetic coil drivers, and collaborating with an external automation integrator (similar to a CSI-type relationship) to push the Siemens Sinumerik platform for additive manufacturing R&D.
We value mindset over checkbox credentials. If you have a solid controls or automation foundation and the self-motivation to learn new systems quickly, this role will give you the opportunity to work on problems that very few teams in the world are tackling.
Key Responsibilities
  • Design, implement, and tune closed-loop control systems for real-time thermal management during metal additive manufacturing.
  • Develop PLC logic and CNC synchronized actions for coordinating printing.
  • Implement PID and advanced control strategies (feedforward, adaptive gain scheduling).
  • Architect and configure CNC/PLC analog and digital I/O for integrating sensors (pyrometers, thermocouples) and actuators (laser power supplies, shutters, micro-motor pyrometer steering)
  • Develop and validate control algorithms that adapt to varying print speeds, toolpath geometries, and thermal conditions
  • Develop advanced waveform generation for electromagnetic coil drivers including sub-thresholding pulse patterns, variable pulse widths, and complex frequency profiles using the Prio card or equivalent hardware
  • Collaborate with the print optimization and path planning team to ensure control strategies align with toolpath direction, speed profiles, and feature-type transitions
  • Serve as the internal bridge to automation integrators and Siemens support for CNC/PLC platform issues
  • Instrument and characterize system dynamics measure plant transfer functions, identify thermal time constants, and size controller bandwidth accordingly
  • Support machine commissioning, integration testing, and design-of-experiments for process development
  • Maintain rigorous documentation of control architectures, tuning parameters, commissioning procedures, and test results
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Controls Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or Mechanical Engineering with controls focus (or equivalent demonstrated experience)
  • 2+ years of experience designing and implementing closed-loop control systems in industrial or R&D environments
  • Strong foundation in classical control theory: PID tuning, stability analysis, frequency response, and system identification
  • Hands-on PLC programming experience (Siemens, Beckhoff, Allen-Bradley, or similar industrial automation platforms)
  • Experience with real-time sensor integration (pyrometers, thermocouples, photodiodes, or similar high-speed analog instrumentation)
  • Experience configuring and commissioning industrial motion control systems (multi-axis CNC, servo drives, or motion controllers)
  • Ability to read, develop, and troubleshoot electrical schematics and control panel wiring
  • Proficiency with at least one industrial communication protocol (EtherCAT, PROFINET, Ethernet/IP)
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with Siemens Sinumerik CNC systems synchronized actions ($A_INA, $A_OUTA, WHENEVER/DO), structured text, machine data configuration
  • Experience with Beckhoff TwinCAT or similar real-time platforms
  • Familiarity with laser systems power modulation, analog control interfaces, safety interlocks
  • Experience with non-contact temperature measurement (pyrometry) including spectral filtering and emissivity considerations
  • Background in thermal process control (welding, heat treatment, laser processing, or additive manufacturing)
  • Knowledge of advanced control methods: feedforward compensation, Smith predictors for transport delay, gain scheduling, or model-predictive control
  • Electronics design experience particularly H-bridge circuits, high-current motor drivers, or power electronics
  • FPGA or microcontroller programming for custom waveform generation or high-speed signal processing
  • Familiarity with G-code/CNC part program structure and post-processor development
  • Experience with machine safety systems (STO, SS1, SLS) and relevant standards (IEC 62443, ISO 13849)
Mindset & Attributes (What Matters Most)
  • Curious and self-motivated the kind of engineer who hangs around, asks questions, and tries to figure things out without being told. This is the #1 trait we're looking for
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset able to diagnose issues across mechanical, electrical, thermal, and software domains simultaneously
  • Self-directed and resourceful in an R&D environment where requirements evolve and solutions aren't predefined
  • Comfortable iterating rapidly: prototype control logic, test on hardware, analyze data, refine
  • Clear communicator who can explain control system behavior to mechanical engineers, process engineers, and leadership
  • Collaborative and low-ego willing to support builds, run experiments, and do hands-on work alongside design work
  • Comfortable working with external vendors and automation integrators as technical counterpart
  • Detail-oriented with a systems-level perspective understands how a control loop interacts with toolpath planning, thermal physics, and part quality
What We Offer
  • Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package
  • Opportunity to work on cutting-edge metal additive manufacturing technology at the frontier of closed-loop process control
  • Direct impact on product development your control systems directly determine print quality and material properties
  • A collaborative, low-ego team environment focused on innovation and execution
  • Exposure to multidisciplinary challenges spanning controls, laser physics, materials science, and CNC systems
  • A culture that values curiosity, initiative, and continuous improvement
Even if you don't meet every qualification listed above, we strongly encourage you to apply. We'relooking for engineers with the right mindset people who are curious, self-driven, and excited to learn. If you have a solid technical foundation and the motivation to push boundaries, our team will provide the guidance and resources to get you up to speed quickly. The right attitude and aptitude matter far more than checking every box.