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Internship Controls Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

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This is a paid, hands-on internship designed for individuals interested in industrial automation ... Electrical Engineering Technology * Computer Engineering Technology * Industrial Automation

Be Seen First

This is a paid, hands-on internship designed for individuals interested in industrial automation ... Electrical Engineering Technology * Computer Engineering Technology * Industrial Automation

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Showing results 1-20

Internship Controls Engineer information

See Washington salary details

$62.3K

$109.4K

$148.4K

How much do internship controls engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for internship controls engineer in Washington is $109,379.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,600.00 and $122,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an internship controls engineer do?

An Internship Controls Engineer assists in designing, developing, and testing automated control systems in manufacturing or industrial settings. They work with PLCs, HMIs, sensors, and other automation equipment to improve system efficiency and reliability. Interns may also support troubleshooting, programming, and documentation tasks while collaborating with engineers and technicians. This role provides hands-on experience in electrical and automation engineering, preparing interns for a career in control systems development.

What kinds of projects or tasks can I expect to work on as an internship controls engineer?

As an Internship Controls Engineer, you will likely assist with programming and testing control systems, troubleshooting automation equipment, and supporting ongoing engineering projects under the supervision of experienced team members. You might help design control logic, document system configurations, and participate in commissioning activities for new machinery or process improvements. Additionally, you can expect to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, and technicians, gaining exposure to real-world industrial environments. This hands-on experience helps build your technical skills and prepares you for more advanced engineering roles after your internship.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an internship controls engineer?

To thrive as an Internship Controls Engineer, you need foundational knowledge in electrical or mechanical engineering principles, with coursework or experience in control systems and automation. Familiarity with PLC programming, SCADA systems, and simulation tools like MATLAB or LabVIEW is highly valued. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication skills help you collaborate on technical projects and adapt to dynamic learning environments. These skills ensure you can contribute meaningfully to engineering teams, learn quickly on the job, and help support the design and implementation of control solutions.

What are the most commonly searched types of Controls Engineer jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Controls Engineer jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Internship Controls Engineer jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Internship Controls Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Internship Controls Engineer job openings in Washington as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,379 per year, or $52.6 per hour.

Controls Engineering Internship/Co-Op (Summer 2027 or 6-Month)

Columbia, MD

$30/hr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

About Us:

BW Design Group is a fully integrated architecture, engineering, construction, system integration, and consulting firm committed to helping our clients realize their most critical goals from Strategy to Commercialization. As the only firm born from a manufacturing technology company to become an independent and fully integrated firm, we combine deep domain expertise in the manufacturing environment with an approach that is built to serve the dynamic needs of our clients. Rooted in our distinct culture of Truly Human Leadership, we cultivate the leaders who will define tomorrow and partner with our clients in the food & beverage, life sciences, industrial, and advanced technology industries to build the future of manufacturing and technology.


 

Barry-Wehmiller is a diversified global supplier of engineering consulting and manufacturing technology for the packaging, corrugating, sheeting and paper-converting industries. By blending people-centric leadership with disciplined operational strategies and purpose-driven growth, Barry-Wehmiller has become a $3 billion organization with nearly 12,000 team members united by a common belief: to use the power of business to build a better world.


 

Job Description:

BW Design Group offers summer internships and 6-month co-ops. Applicants should apply once and will be considered for the option that best aligns with their academic schedule.

  • Internships span 10-12 weeks over the summer

  • Co-Ops are 6-months long and start in January 2027 or June 2027.

Who You'll Work With

When you join BW Design Group as a Controls Engineer Co-op or Intern, you will become part of a team that will challenge you, support your growth, and give you meaningful, hands-on engineering experience. You will work alongside experienced controls engineers, technical specialists, project managers, and client teams to help some of the world's leading companies solve complex manufacturing, automation, and facility challenges.

Depending on the project, your experience may include work in one of our U.S. offices, at a client site, or in a highly technical environment such as a data center. Throughout your six-month co-op term, you will contribute to real projects while receiving mentorship and exposure to the full lifecycle of controls engineering-from design and programming through installation, start-up, and commissioning.

What You'll Do

You will work individually and as part of project teams to design, develop, and implement automation and control system solutions for our clients.

  • Gain hands-on experience performing responsibilities similar to those of a full-time Controls Engineer

  • Support the design and development of industrial automation and control systems

  • Assist with PLC programming, HMI development, control panel design, and system documentation

  • Help create and update electrical drawings, control narratives, I/O lists, and other technical documentation

  • Participate in system testing, troubleshooting, installation, start-up, and commissioning activities

  • Work with project teams to integrate controls hardware, software, instrumentation, and equipment

  • Collaborate with clients, vendors, contractors, original equipment manufacturers, and cross-functional engineering teams

  • Support controls projects in manufacturing facilities, distribution environments, data centers, and other client locations

  • Identify technical issues, help evaluate solutions, and assist with resolving requests for information and engineering changes

  • Build your technical, communication, and project-management skills through meaningful project ownership

  • Travel to client sites as needed to support project implementation, testing, start-up, and commissioning

What You'll Bring
  • Current enrollment in an accredited bachelor's degree program in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or a related technical field
  • Availability to complete a full-time, six-month co-op term beginning in either January or June 2027
  • An interest in industrial automation, controls engineering, PLC programming, robotics, manufacturing systems, or data center infrastructure
  • Strong analytical, technical problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to work effectively in both office and client-site environments
  • A willingness to travel based on project needs; prior experience with PLCs, HMIs, AutoCAD, control panels, programming, or hands-on technical projects is preferred but not required
Compensation

The approximate pay range for this position is $23 -$30/hr. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to background, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as geographic location of the position.


 

At Barry-Wehmiller we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. We know that our differences often can bring about innovation, excellence and meaningful work-therefore, people from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodations during the interview process.

Barry-Wehmiller is an equal opportunity employer. M/F/D/V This organization uses E-Verify.


 

Applicants may be subject to pre-employment screening which may include drug screening, reference checks, employment verifications, background screening and/or skills assessments.


Company:

Design Group