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Junior Controls Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Controls Engineer III

Sparks, NV · On-site +1

$83K - $108K/yr

Provide technical guidance to junior Controls Engineers. What We're Looking For * You work independently on complex technical assignments. * You make sound decisions in high-pressure environments.

Manus Bio

Senior Process Controls Engineer

Augusta, GA

$91K - $120K/yr

The Senior Process Controls Engineer mentors junior controls engineers and technicians, leads complex troubleshooting efforts, and partners cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality ...

Manus Bio

Senior Process Controls Engineer

Augusta, GA · On-site

$76K - $100K/yr

The Senior Process Controls Engineer mentors junior controls engineers and technicians, leads complex troubleshooting efforts, and partners cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality ...

Switch

Controls Engineer III

Sparks, NV · On-site

$83K - $108K/yr

Provide technical guidance to junior Controls Engineers. What We're Looking For * You work independently on complex technical assignments. * You make sound decisions in high-pressure environments.

Switch, Inc.

Controls Engineer III

Reno, NV · On-site +1

$83K - $107K/yr

Provide technical guidance to junior Controls Engineers. What Were Looking For * You work independently on complex technical assignments. * You make sound decisions in high-pressure environments.

Manus

Senior Process Controls Engineer

Augusta, GA · On-site

$76K - $100K/yr

The Senior Process Controls Engineer mentors junior controls engineers and technicians, leads complex troubleshooting efforts, and partners cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality ...

Actalent

Controls Engineer

Dayton, OH

$81K - $104K/yr

Ability to mentor and train junior controls engineers and technical staff. * Experience participating in or leading continuous improvement projects within an engineering or manufacturing setting.

Corning

Controls Engineer

Newton, NC · On-site

$73K - $94K/yr

... and train junior controls engineers • Manage the controls engineering scope of process ... improvement, capital expansion, and obsolescence mitigation projects. • Interface with external ...

Corning

Controls Engineer

Newton, NC · On-site

$73K - $94K/yr

Mentor and train junior controls engineers Manage the controls engineering scope of process improvement, capital expansion, and obsolescence mitigation projects. Interface with external system ...

Corning

Controls Engineer

Newton, NC · On-site

$78K - $101K/yr

... and train junior controls engineers • Manage the controls engineering scope of process ... improvement, capital expansion, and obsolescence mitigation projects. • Interface with external ...

Bosch Group

Senior Controls Engineer

Charleston, SC · On-site

$92K - $122K/yr

Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior controls engineers, fostering their development in CoDeSys and control system design with an emphasis on practical manufacturing applications.

Bosch Group

Senior Controls Engineer

North Charleston, SC

$92K - $122K/yr

Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior controls engineers, fostering their development in CoDeSys and control system design with an emphasis on practical manufacturing applications.

Bosch Group

Senior Controls Engineer

Charleston, SC · On-site

$92K - $122K/yr

Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior controls engineers, fostering their development in CoDeSys and control system design with an emphasis on practical manufacturing applications.

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All JobsControls Engineer JobsJunior Controls Engineer Jobs

Junior Controls Engineer information

See salary details

$33.5K

$71.8K

$109.5K

How much do junior controls engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior controls engineer in the United States is $71,799.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,500.00 and $80,000.00 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 are Junior Controls Engineers?

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.

More about Junior Controls Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Junior Controls Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Junior Controls Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Controls Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Controls Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Junior Controls Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Junior Controls Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Junior Controls Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Junior Controls Engineer jobs are:
Junior Controls Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Junior Controls Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 92% In-person, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,799 per year, or $34.5 per hour.
Automation / Controls Engineer

Automation / Controls Engineer

Verus Associates, Inc

San Diego, CA

$88K - $114K/yr

Other

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

Description

Automation /Controls Engineer, San Diego, CA


Verus is looking for a self-motivated, organized, and results-driven Controls Engineer to join our collaborative team.  Someone who is passionate about solving complex problems alongside our clients. 


Our clients are important to us, and we are seeking someone who enjoys a good challenge, is accountable, well-organized, and takes pride in meeting deadlines and milestones.


The ideal candidate for this position has experience developing and programming various control systems. The candidate must be able to implement control strategies, design control panels, specify instrumentation, and program common PLC/HMI packages. The candidate must be comfortable working in both office and field environments. The position requires some travel domestically. 

Most importantly, we are looking for someone who will fit in with our existing team - someone who is authentic, personable, trustworthy, and who has a good sense of humor, approachable, and humble.


RESPONSIBILITIES:


The responsibilities of the Controls Engineer include, but are not limited to, the following:

Develop SCADA, HMI, and PLC programs based on control strategies and specifications

Design control panels and specify components

Develop system specifications and sequence of operations based on client requirements

Perform system commissioning and field support functions

Work with discipline leads, PMs, and other team members to manage and run programming efforts for the project.

Prioritize and set deadlines, while also being adaptable and flexible to changing needs. 

Commission control system programming

Conduct effective design review meetings and interface regularly with clients regarding the scope of work, deliverable requirements, and project status.

Able to promote and market programming scope to new and existing clients.

Mentor junior controls engineers. 

Able to generate and maintain full project life cycle documentation. 



WHAT SETS VERUS APART?

Verus is a Latin word that means true, authentic, fair, and sincere. It's a word that we feel describes who we are as a firm. We pride ourselves on our client-focused approach, our innovation, and our desire to provide effective solutions to deliver our clients' business and operational objectives.

We've assembled a group of industry leaders who bring unparalleled technical experience and knowledge to each of our projects. We're an employee-owned company, and this is reflected in how we work together as a team, and how we take ownership in the work we do for our clients. 


A few reasons to consider us:

  • Verus employees care for and respect one another
  • Our people and culture are genuine
  • We invest in our employees with competitive pay and benefits
  • We have a work hard, play hard culture and respect work/life balance
  • There are opportunities for growth.

Learn more about us at www.verusaec.com 

Requirements


Bachelor's degree in engineering or computer science from an accredited university or equivalent experience

15+ years' applicable experience 

Experience successfully leveraging technology 

Track record of success with documented results

PLC Programming (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Modicon, GE) 

HMI Programming (Ignition, Wonderware, Cimplicity, FTViewSE)

Knowledge of computer configuration and networking

Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team

Self-motivated, energetic individual with a can-do attitude

Strong problem-solving and organizational skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Apply