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Graduate Controls Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Controls Engineer Sr

Seattle, WA · On-site

$197K - $276K/yr

Advanced graduate degree in engineering or related control systems field with 6+ years of ... controls applications for hydraulic servo-valve systems and electrical motors Experience modeling ...

Controls Engineer Sr

Seattle, WA · On-site

$197K - $276K/yr

Advanced graduate degree in engineering or related control systems field with 6+ years of ... controls applications for hydraulic servo-valve systems and electrical motors Experience modeling ...

Controls Engineer Sr

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$197K - $276K/yr

Advanced graduate degree in engineering or related control systems field with 6+ years of ... controls applications for hydraulic servo-valve systems and electrical motors Experience modeling ...

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College Graduate - 2 years experience This role will require 40-50%+ travel Responsibilites ... Work in team environment with engineers and designers from partners and clients * Grow into a ...

New

Engineer, Controls

Painted Post, NY · On-site

$70K - $91K/yr

Day-to-Day Responsibilities As a recent college graduate and entry-level engineer, you will: * Be ... Exposure to robotics. * Experience with PID controls and control loop tuning. * Ability to ...

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Entry Level Controls Engineer

Detroit, MI · On-site

$82K - $106K/yr

College Graduate - 2 years experience This is a broad opportunity to grow your career with any of ... Work in team environment with engineers and designers from company, partners and clients * Grow ...

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Entry Level Controls Engineer

Toledo, OH · On-site

$82K - $106K/yr

College Graduate - 2 years experience This is a broad opportunity to grow your career with any of ... Work in team environment with engineers and designers from company, partners and clients * Grow ...

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Graduate Controls Engineer information

See salary details

$55K

$96.6K

$131K

How much do graduate controls engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for graduate controls engineer in the United States is $96,574.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,500.00 and $108,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What types of projects can a Graduate Controls Engineer expect to work on during their first year?

As a Graduate Controls Engineer, you will typically be involved in supporting the design, programming, and commissioning of control systems for industrial or manufacturing processes. Early projects might include assisting with PLC programming, configuring SCADA systems, and troubleshooting automation equipment under the guidance of senior engineers. You can also expect to collaborate closely with electrical engineers, project managers, and clients to ensure systems meet technical specifications. This hands-on experience provides a strong foundation in both technical and teamwork skills, preparing you for more complex responsibilities as your career progresses.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Graduate Controls Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Graduate Controls Engineer, you generally need a degree in electrical, mechanical, or control engineering, with a solid understanding of control systems theory and automation. Familiarity with PLC programming, SCADA systems, and software like MATLAB or Simulink is typically required, and certifications in automation or control systems can provide an advantage. Strong problem-solving, analytical thinking, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and address complex technical challenges. These skills ensure you can design, implement, and maintain effective control solutions that optimize system performance and reliability.

What does a Graduate Controls Engineer do?

A Graduate Controls Engineer is an entry-level professional who helps design, develop, and maintain control systems used in manufacturing, automation, or other engineering projects. Their responsibilities often include programming PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), assisting with system integration, troubleshooting equipment, and supporting senior engineers with technical tasks. They work closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure that automated systems operate efficiently and safely. This role typically involves both office-based design work and hands-on activities in industrial settings.

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

AspectGraduate Controls EngineerControls Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering or related field; entry-levelBachelor's or higher in engineering; typically 1+ years experience
Work EnvironmentInternship or entry-level position in manufacturing or automationFull-time role in industrial automation, manufacturing, or process control
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturers, automation firms, engineering consultanciesIndustrial plants, automation companies, OEMs

The main difference is experience level and job responsibilities. Graduate Controls Engineers are entry-level, focusing on learning and supporting control systems, while Controls Engineers have more experience, handling design, implementation, and troubleshooting of control systems independently.

More about Graduate Controls Engineer jobs
Infographic showing various Graduate Controls Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, and 10% Part Time. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $96,574 per year, or $46.4 per hour.
Controls Engineer Sr

Controls Engineer Sr

Blue Origin, LLC

Seattle, WA • On-site

$197K - $276K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Blue Origin rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 91 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

13th of 61 rated aerospace companies


Job description

Application close date:
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.
At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We're working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!
This role is part of the Blue Origin Engines business unit, where our focus is the design, development, manufacturing, and testing of engines and propulsion systems. Built for multiple uses, our family of engines is powering the next generation of rockets for commercial, civil, national security, and human spaceflight.
As part of a hardworking team of engineers, you will work on various spaceflight systems and share in our team's impact on all aspects of requirements development, design, implementation, and verification of mechanical, thermal, fluid, and gaseous control systems. In this role, you will work closely with various stake holders in our team's subsystems to support the development of low and high fidelity plant models, perform analysis, and design efficient logic algorithms and state machines to manage and control various mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic actuators. You will be involved in conducting performance assessments including Monte Carlo analysis, develop unit tests for control application software, and take part in V&V activities such as HIL and subsystem test campaigns.
We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!
Qualifications:
Bachelors degree in engineering or related control systems field with 8+ years of experience
Experience developing embedded control solutions for complex aerospace mechanical, thermal, hydraulic, fluid and gas systems
Experience with subsystem modeling, analysis and controls application development tools such as Matlab/Simulink (including autocoding)
Experience with classical and modern control design and analysis techniques; exposure to optimal control and estimation techniques (e.g. Kalman Filtering) is a plus
Experience with validation and verification approaches such as unit testing, system simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing or integrated subsystem testing
Experience with Apache Subversion or Git or similar revision control systems
Exposure to lean software development practices and techniques; including experience with tool automation and software development using Python and C/C++
Highly organized team player with excellent technical written and verbal communication skills
Desired:
Advanced graduate degree in engineering or related control systems field with 6+ years of experience developing mission or safety-critical control system solutions
Experience developing real-time embedded control solutions (classical, modern, non-linear, optimal, etc.) for complex aerospace mechanical, fluid, thermal, and gas systems
Experience developing controls applications for hydraulic servo-valve systems and electrical motors
Experience modeling and analyzing control solutions with I/O transducers: displacement, rate, and acceleration sensors; pressure and temperature sensors; servo and solenoid actuators; etc.
Experience across the full product development lifecycle: concept definition, architecture, requirements capture and development, implementation, verification, system integration, qualification and release
Exposure to development of embedded control system solutions that comply with DO-160, DO-178 and DO-254 or similar guidelines
Familiarity with DOORs Next Generation (DNG) or similar requirements management systems; Atlassian JIRA or similar issue tracking systems
Passion for aerospace and the development of human spaceflight
Compensation Range for:
WA applicants is $197,529.00 - $276,539.55
Other site ranges may differ
Culture Statement
Don't meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Export Control Regulations
Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.
Background Check
  • Required for all positions: Blue's Standard Background Check
  • Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation
  • Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing (CDL drivers only), vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.
  • Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits
  • Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.
  • Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
  • Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
  • Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on "Know Your Rights," please see here.
Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation
Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin's Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

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About Blue Origin

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Blue Origin is a private aerospace manufacturing and suborbital spaceflight services company based in Kent, Washington, USA. Established in 2000 by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, the company operates in the cutting-edge aerospace industry aiming to build a future where millions of people can live and work in space. They develop a variety of technologies, with a focus on reusable rocket systems which significantly reduce the cost of space travel. Blue Origin's core mission is to make this vision come to life by incrementally building on its successes with an ultimate vision of dramatic cost reduction and increased reliance on reusable spacecraft.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Kent, WA, US

Year founded

2000