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Junior Controls Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Automationtechies

Control Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$92K - $119K/yr

You should be comfortable leading or supporting technical teams, mentoring junior engineers, and traveling to customer sites for startup and troubleshooting activities. Reasons you will be excited to ...

Automationtechies

Control Engineer

Washington, DC

$92K - $119K/yr

You should be comfortable leading or supporting technical teams, mentoring junior engineers, and traveling to customer sites for startup and troubleshooting activities. Reasons you will be excited to ...

Saliense

Security Engineer Jr.

Arlington, VA · On-site

About the role The Security Engineer Junior supports work performed under the contract possessing a ... Provide security expertise to ensure security controls are implemented and the resulting ...

Inadev

Junior DevSecOps Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

The Junior DevSecOps Engineer builds and operates the secure delivery pipelines for the platform on ... NIST controls - Support environment provisioning and deployment automation (blue/green, canary ...

Inadev

Junior DevSecOps Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

The Junior DevSecOps Engineer builds and operates the secure delivery pipelines for the platform on ... NIST controls - Support environment provisioning and deployment automation (blue/green, canary ...

ASM Research

Network Engineer - Junior

Fairfax, VA · On-site

The Network Engineer - Junior supports the planning, configuration, and day-to-day operation of ... Implement foundational network security controls including firewalls, access control lists, and ...

Google

Senior Datacenter Engineer

Sterling, VA · On-site

$103K - $142K/yr

Implementing Controls engineering, including control system programming; Building Management System ... mentor junior electrical engineers in the region and the overall Google Data Centers program.

Core One

Junior Technical Writer

Mclean, VA · On-site

... and controls • Mentor junior writers or contributors, promote a culture of documentation as a critical engineering discipline • Continuously improve documentation quality and usability ...

AMERICAN SYSTEMS

Data Engineer - Junior

Quantico, VA

$110K - $125K/yr

The Data Engineer - Jr supports the design, development, and sustainment of data pipelines, data ... Implement basic data security and access controls in accordance with DoD/USMC policies and best ...

Leidos

Junior Electrical Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$69K - $125K/yr

Provide design of electrical systems to support power, communications, controls, fire protection and fire alarm systems, HVAC, and water systems. * Perform electrical engineering studies to determine ...

Leidos

Junior Electrical Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$69K - $125K/yr

Provide design of electrical systems to support power, communications, controls, fire protection and fire alarm systems, HVAC, and water systems. * Perform electrical engineering studies to determine ...

AMERICAN SYSTEMS

Data Engineer - Junior

Quantico, VA · On-site

$110K - $125K/yr

The Data Engineer - Jr supports the design, development, and sustainment of data pipelines, data ... Implement basic data security and access controls in accordance with DoD/USMC policies and best ...

Inadev

Junior DevSecOps Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$60K - $80K/yr

The Jr DevSecOps Engineer builds and operates the secure delivery pipelines for the platform on AWS ... NIST controls - Support environment provisioning and deployment automation (blue/green, canary ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsControls Engineer JobsJunior Controls Engineer JobsJunior Controls Engineer Jobs in Washington

Junior Controls Engineer information

See Washington salary details

$37.9K

$81.3K

$124K

How much do junior controls engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior controls engineer in Washington is $81,320.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,900.00 and $90,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a junior controls engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Junior Controls Engineer, you generally need a bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or control engineering and a solid grasp of automation principles. Familiarity with PLC programming, SCADA systems, and CAD software, along with relevant certifications like Siemens or Rockwell, is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help you collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and troubleshoot issues efficiently. These competencies are crucial for designing reliable control systems and ensuring smooth operation in industrial environments.

What are some common challenges faced by junior controls engineers when transitioning from academic projects to real-world industrial environments?

Junior Controls Engineers often find that real-world industrial environments present challenges not commonly encountered in academic settings, such as working with legacy systems, managing tight project deadlines, and coordinating with multidisciplinary teams. Learning to troubleshoot hardware and software issues in live production environments can be daunting, especially when unexpected problems arise. Additionally, adapting to rigorous safety standards and documentation requirements is crucial. However, support from senior engineers and ongoing training typically help new hires navigate these challenges successfully.

What is a junior controls engineer?

Junior Controls Engineers are entry-level professionals who assist in designing, developing, and maintaining control systems used to operate machinery and processes in industries such as manufacturing, energy, and automation. They typically work under the supervision of senior engineers to program PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), troubleshoot system issues, and ensure that automated systems are functioning correctly. Their role often involves hands-on work with electrical components and software, as well as collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to improve efficiency and safety.

What is the difference between Junior Controls Engineer vs Controls Technician?

AspectJunior Controls EngineerControls Technician
Required CredentialsAssociate's or Bachelor's in Electrical, Mechanical, or Controls EngineeringTechnical diploma or associate's degree in electrical or controls technology
Work EnvironmentDesign, development, and troubleshooting of control systems, often in office and lab settingsInstallation, maintenance, and repair of control systems on-site in industrial environments
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturing, automation, and engineering firmsIndustrial plants, factories, and automation service providers

While both roles involve working with control systems, Junior Controls Engineers focus on design and development, whereas Controls Technicians primarily handle installation and maintenance. The roles often overlap in industry and credentials but differ in daily responsibilities and work settings.

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 are popular job titles related to Junior Controls Engineer jobs in Washington? For Junior Controls Engineer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Junior Controls Engineer jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Junior Controls Engineer jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Junior Controls Engineer jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Junior Controls Engineer job openings:
Junior Controls Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Junior Controls Engineer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,320 per year, or $39.1 per hour.

Control Engineer

Automationtechies

Washington, DC • On-site

$92K - $119K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

Do you enjoy solving technical challenges and working with both programming and electrical/mechanical systems? Our client's Control Engineers design, develop, and commission automation solutions across a wide range of industries while working with cutting-edge technologies. Engineers in this position collaborate closely with clients, manage multiple projects, and contribute to both technical execution and customer relationships. The role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced consulting environment and enjoys learning new technologies while taking ownership of projects from concept through commissioning.

As a well-established engineering consulting firm with over 20 years in business, they are known for delivering innovative automation and custom software solutions for manufacturing, testing, and product development applications. You will gain exposure to a variety of industrial automation systems and technologies, including PLCs, HMI/SCADA platforms, motion control, robotics, and machine vision. You should be comfortable leading or supporting technical teams, mentoring junior engineers, and traveling to customer sites for startup and troubleshooting activities.

Reasons you will be excited to work here:

  • Project-based company that fosters ongoing exploration and growth
  • Every employee interfaces with customers, allowing you to develop sales, project management, and business development skills.
  • Full benefits package: Medical, Dental, Vision, Health savings and flex spending accounts, paid parental leave, 401K Matching, competitive salaries, profit sharing, and bonuses.
  • They foster an inclusive, collaborative team environment.
  • Work with a team of smart professionals.
  • Take part in many company-sponsored events and activities.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Develop and program automation applications using PLC, HMI, and SCADA platforms
  • Commission and troubleshoot electrical and mechanical systems at customer sites
  • Support system architecture design and full project lifecycle execution
  • Work directly with customers while managing project communication and deliverables
  • Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership
  • Continuously learn and apply new automation technologies and best practices

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Computer Engineering, or related field (REQUIRED)
  • 3-10 years of industrial automation experience
  • Must have a College GPA of 3.4 or higher (may have some wiggle room on this depending on other factors)
  • Strong programming background, including object-oriented and text-based programming
  • Experience with PLCs, motion control, process control, robotics, machine vision, and SCADA systems
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and work directly with customers
  • Strong communication and proposal development skills
  • Willingness to travel approximately 25–40%

To comply with some state laws, the annual base salary range for this position has been provided. The range given is broad and should be considered as a guideline only. Our client will consider a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, the salaries of current employees in similar roles, and other factors when extending an offer.