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Junior Controls Engineer Jobs in Chelsea, MA (NOW HIRING)

CDM Smith

Automation and Controls Specialist

Boston, MA · Hybrid

$90K - $119K/yr

The successful candidate will be enthusiastic about building client relationships, mentoring junior ... Programming, testing, and commissioning of SCADA systems which includes some, if not all of the ...

Automationtechies

Control Engineer

Boston, MA

$90K - $117K/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

Boston, MA · On-site

$90K - $117K/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 ...

CDM Smith

Automation and Controls Specialist

Boston, MA · On-site

$90K - $119K/yr

You will be responsible for designing and programming control systems for our Water/Wastewater ... The successful candidate will be enthusiastic about building client relationships, mentoring junior ...

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All JobsControls Engineer JobsJunior Controls Engineer JobsJunior Controls Engineer Jobs in Chelsea, MA

Junior Controls Engineer information

See Chelsea, MA salary details

$36.4K

$78K

$119K

How much do junior controls engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior controls engineer in Chelsea, MA is $78,019.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,700.00 and $86,900.00 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 cities near Chelsea, MA are hiring for Junior Controls Engineer jobs?

Cities near Chelsea, MA with the most Junior Controls Engineer job openings:

Junior Controls Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Junior Controls Engineer job openings in Chelsea, MA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $78,019 per year, or $37.5 per hour.

Engineer II /Senior Controls Engineer

Lila Sciences

Cambridge, MA • On-site

$106K - $139K/yr

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Your Impact at LILA

Lila is seeking a seasoned Engineer II / Senior Engineer, Control Systems Design to lead the design and development of control systems for automated scientific equipment. This role involves architecting advanced control systems, integrating robotics and PLC technologies, and driving strategic initiatives to enhance laboratory automation.

What You'll Be Building

  • Assist in designing and implementing control systems using PLC and SCADA technologies to optimize laboratory workflows and promote future scalability.
  • Support the integration of advanced robotics into automation systems, ensuring smooth operation within existing frameworks.
  • Assist in the integration of 3rd party equipment and vendor software, development of wrappers to connect equipment to existing controls system.
  • Design of safety systems with PLCs to safely operate a mix of equipment, robotics, and conveyance systems.
  • Collaborate with software teams to integrate control systems with broader IT/OT factory infrastructure.
  • Develop comprehensive engineering documentation including P&ID diagrams, wiring schematics, control narratives, and instrument IO lists.
  • Lead complex automation projects, defining controls scope, setting milestones, managing vendors, and ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery.
  • Oversee calibration, testing, and validation of control systems to meet strict performance, accuracy, and safety standards.
  • Interface with subject matter experts (SMEs) and cross-functional internal customers to gather requirements, understand challenges, and deliver tailored automation solutions.
  • Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers, fostering a collaborative and innovative team environment.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance system reliability and operational efficiency.

What You'll Need to Succeed

  • 4+ years of experience in designing and implementing complex control systems for automated laboratory environments.
  • Extensive knowledge of PLCs, HMI, SCADA, and related automation software and hardware.
  • Experience with industrial networking in OT deployments, network routing, security groups, VPNs, etc.
  • Strong proficiency in creating detailed engineering documents and schematics using tools like AutoCAD, SolidWorks Electrical, or similar.
  • Proven experience with robotics integration and programming using structured text.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for engaging with SMEs and internal stakeholders.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and a commitment to excellence.

Bonus Points For

  • HMI design and Ignition Gold Certified.
  • Structured text programming experience in TwinCAT, Python, C++, etc.
  • Use of communication protocols like OPC-UA, MQTT, and REST APIs.
  • Safety system design and classification like SIL or PL.
  • Configuration of managed network switches, port addressing/IP subnetting, and DHCP services.
  • Ability to troubleshoot traffic flows between OT networks and AWS cloud instances.

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