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Internship Entry Level Instrumentation & Controls Engineer Jobs in Los Angeles, CA

Sunbelt Controls

Controls Design Engineer I

Azusa, CA · On-site

Production of controls systems design drawings, sequence of operations and submittals for lower ... Participates in the ongoing development program with other entry level engineers. EDUCATION AND ...

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Internship Entry Level Instrumentation Controls Engineer information

See Los Angeles, CA salary details

$30

$58

$88

How much do internship entry level instrumentation & controls engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for internship entry level instrumentation & controls engineer in Los Angeles, CA is $58.76, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45.87 and $66.83 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an internship entry level instrumentation & controls engineer do?

An Internship Entry Level Instrumentation & Controls Engineer assists in designing, developing, and maintaining systems that control and monitor industrial processes. They typically work under the supervision of senior engineers, helping to specify instrumentation, configure control systems, and troubleshoot issues. Interns may also be involved in testing equipment, preparing technical documentation, and supporting the implementation of automation solutions. This role provides valuable hands-on experience in the field of instrumentation and controls engineering.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an internship entry level instrumentation & controls engineer, and why are they important?

To excel as an Internship Entry Level Instrumentation & Controls Engineer, you need a background in electrical or mechanical engineering, strong analytical skills, and familiarity with instrumentation fundamentals, often gained through coursework or relevant internships. Experience with industry-standard tools like PLC programming, SCADA systems, and AutoCAD, as well as exposure to ISA standards, is highly beneficial. Attention to detail, eagerness to learn, and effective teamwork and communication skills help interns stand out in collaborative engineering environments. These abilities enable accurate system design, troubleshooting, and integration, ensuring project success and professional growth.

What types of projects and tasks can an internship entry level instrumentation & controls engineer expect to work on?

As an Internship Entry Level Instrumentation & Controls Engineer, you can expect to assist with designing, testing, and troubleshooting control systems and instrumentation for various engineering projects. Your daily tasks may include creating wiring diagrams, configuring PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), supporting senior engineers with system documentation, and participating in equipment calibration and commissioning activities. You'll often collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including mechanical, electrical, and software engineers, gaining exposure to both technical and project management aspects. This hands-on experience provides a solid foundation for future roles and helps you develop a comprehensive understanding of industrial automation and process control systems.

What is the difference between Internship Entry Level Instrumentation & Controls Engineer vs Entry Level Electrical Engineer?

AspectInternship Entry Level Instrumentation & Controls EngineerEntry Level Electrical Engineer
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or recently completed a degree in electrical, mechanical, or control engineeringBachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentIndustrial plants, manufacturing facilities, automation projectsPower plants, manufacturing, design firms, or consulting
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturing, process industries, automation companiesPower generation, electronics, consulting firms

Both roles are entry-level positions requiring similar educational backgrounds. The main difference lies in focus: Instrumentation & Controls Engineers specialize in automation systems and control devices, while Electrical Engineers have a broader scope including power systems and circuitry. Interns in both roles gain hands-on experience in their respective fields, often within industrial or manufacturing environments.

Are internship entry level instrumentation & controls engineers in demand?

Entry-level instrumentation and controls engineering internships are in demand due to the growing need for automation and control systems across industries such as manufacturing, energy, and utilities. These roles often require knowledge of PLCs, SCADA systems, and relevant certifications, making them valuable for companies seeking to develop skilled engineers for future employment.

How to become an internship entry level instrumentation & controls engineer with no experience?

To become an entry-level instrumentation and controls engineer intern with no experience, focus on obtaining a relevant degree such as electrical, mechanical, or control engineering, and develop foundational skills in PLC programming, control systems, and instrumentation. Gaining hands-on experience through coursework, personal projects, or certifications like OSHA or NICET can improve your prospects, and applying to internships that offer training programs can provide practical exposure.

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For Internship Entry Level Instrumentation & Controls Engineer jobs in Los Angeles, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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The top searched job categories for Internship Entry Level Instrumentation & Controls Engineer jobs in Los Angeles, CA are:

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Internship Entry Level Instrumentation Controls Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Internship Entry Level Instrumentation & Controls Engineer job openings in Los Angeles, CA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $122,217 per year, or $58.8 per hour.

Automation and Controls Engineer II

Varda Space Industries

El Segundo, CA • On-site

$119K - $152K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Design, build, and maintain test systems and ground support equipment (GSE) for flight hardware qualification and manufacturing operations.

  • Integrate external hardware such as thermal vacuum chambers, ovens, chillers, pressure systems, data acquisition hardware, and instrumentation.

  • Partner with various engineering teams to deliver test infrastructure that meets their needs on aggressive timelines.

Job description

About This Role

The Automation and Controls Engineer II builds bespoke test infrastructure that qualifies spaceflight hardware for orbit. They design, build, and own sophisticated ground support equipment (GSE) and test systems: propulsion test stands, environmental qualification chambers, spacecraft-level integration testing and more! Our stack is modern, including a custom PLC framework and Beckhoff EtherCAT tooling built in-house. They will have a meaningful impact on architecture decisions, and the chance to define standards that will outlast any single program.

Responsibilities
  • Design, build, and maintain test systems and ground support equipment (GSE) for flight hardware qualification and manufacturing operations.
  • Integrate with a wide range of external hardware, including thermal vacuum chambers, ovens, chillers, pressure systems, data acquisition hardware, and precision instrumentation.
  • Develop and extend Varda's internal PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling to support evolving program needs.
  • Contribute to architecture decisions on real-time control implementation, including evaluation of PLC-based (TwinCAT 3) versus Linux-based approaches for high-frequency control applications.
  • Build cabinets, wire panels, and own systems end-to-end from electrical design through commissioning.
  • Partner with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams to deliver test infrastructure that meets their needs on aggressive timelines.
  • Champion sustainable engineering practices that enable new engineers to ramp quickly on the tech stack and maintain production systems reliably.
Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field.
  • 2+ years of industry experience in test automation, controls, and/or industrial automation.
  • Hands-on experience integrating with industrial hardware over protocols such as EtherCAT, Modbus (TCP/RTU), RS-232/485 serial, or similar communication standards.
  • Experience with at least one modern PLC ecosystem - ideally Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 with structured text (IEC 61131-3), or a demonstrated eagerness to develop deep expertise there.
  • Comfort working across the full stack: writing control software, designing electrical panels, wiring cabinets, and debugging hardware.
  • Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment where priorities shift, and end-to-end ownership of problems is expected.
Preferred Skills and Experience
  • Strong intuition for when to use real-time PLC code versus higher-level Python orchestration, and a strong understanding of the tradeoff.
  • Experience working with custom or in-house control frameworks, rather than relying solely on vendor-provided stacks.
  • Advanced EtherCAT expertise - including DC sync, ENI configuration, master implementation, or driver-level work.
  • Production experience with TwinCAT 3, structured text, and the broader IEC 61131-3 language suite.
  • Experience designing deterministic, hard real-time control loops with sub-millisecond cycle times.
  • Familiarity with time-series data acquisition and visualization tools such as Grafana, InfluxDB, or similar platforms.
  • Aerospace experience, particularly in spacecraft testing or GSE development.
  • Environmental test experience, including TVAC, thermal cycling, and vibration testing.
  • Hands-on experience working with high-pressure gas or fluid systems.
  • Experience developing propulsion test stands or other complex, multi-subsystem test infrastructure.
  • Familiarity with spacecraft qualification standards and associated documentation requirements.
  • Experience developing safety-related control systems and evaluating proposed solutions for reducing safety-related risks.
Pay Range
  • Salary range: Engineer II: $119,543 - $152,749/ per year.
  • This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA.
  • Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance.
  • You will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards.

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