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Senior Controls Engineer Jobs in Idaho (NOW HIRING)

Your Opportunity We have an immediate opening for a Sr. Instrumentation and Controls Engineer. The ideal candidate will design and specify I&C systems for high-tech manufacturing, semiconductor ...

Your Opportunity We have an immediate opening for a Sr. Instrumentation and Controls Engineer. The ideal candidate will design and specify I&C systems for high-tech manufacturing, semiconductor ...

Director of Automation and Controls

Twin Falls, ID · On-site

$76K - $101K/yr

This individual provides senior-level leadership to enhance organizational capability through ... The Director partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Food Safety, and ...

Director of Automation and Controls

Twin Falls, ID · On-site

$76K - $101K/yr

This individual provides senior-level leadership to enhance organizational capability through ... The Director partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Food Safety, and ...

Director of Automation and Controls

Twin Falls, ID · On-site

$76K - $101K/yr

This individual provides senior-level leadership to enhance organizational capability through ... The Director partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Food Safety, and ...

ID · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

... engineering, and final execution approval. The Senior Project Controls Specialist will provide ... support to the Stage Gate process by: * Preparing objective, data-driven gate review packages for ...

Senior Automation Engineer

Twin Falls, ID · On-site

$95K - $125K/yr

Develop, implement, and administer the plant controls Ethernet network * Engineer and implement in-house, or work with a third party to produce reliable automation solutions to meet the needs of the ...

Senior Automation Engineer

Twin Falls, ID · On-site

$95K - $125K/yr

Develop, implement, and administer the plant controls Ethernet network * Engineer and implement in-house, or work with a third party to produce reliable automation solutions to meet the needs of the ...

Senior Automation Engineer

Twin Falls, ID · On-site

$95K - $125K/yr

Develop, implement, and administer the plant controls Ethernet network * Engineer and implement in-house, or work with a third party to produce reliable automation solutions to meet the needs of the ...

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Showing results 1-20

Senior Controls Engineer information

See Idaho salary details

$67.7K

$107.9K

$144.9K

How much do senior controls engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior controls engineer in Idaho is $107,944.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $91,300.00 and $120,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior controls engineer?

Senior Controls Engineers are experienced professionals who design, develop, and implement control systems for manufacturing processes, machinery, or automation equipment. They are responsible for programming controllers (such as PLCs), troubleshooting control system issues, and ensuring optimal system performance and safety. Senior Controls Engineers often lead project teams, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with other departments to integrate new technologies. Their expertise is crucial for streamlining production, reducing downtime, and maintaining compliance with industry standards.

What is the difference between Senior Controls Engineer vs Controls Engineer?

AspectSenior Controls EngineerControls Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering, experience, possibly certifications like Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST)Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field, entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentDesign, development, troubleshooting, project leadership in industrial or manufacturing settingsImplementing control systems, programming, testing, and maintenance in similar environments
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturing, automation, process control companiesSimilar industries, often as entry to mid-level roles within the same sectors

The main difference is experience level and responsibility. Senior Controls Engineers typically lead projects, design complex systems, and mentor junior staff, while Controls Engineers focus on implementing and maintaining control systems. Both roles require similar credentials and work in comparable environments, but the senior role involves more leadership and advanced technical skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior controls engineer?

To thrive as a Senior Controls Engineer, you need a strong background in electrical engineering, automation, and control systems, often supported by a relevant bachelor's degree and several years of experience in industrial automation. Expertise in PLC programming, SCADA systems, HMI development, and knowledge of industry standards and certifications like ISA or PE are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, project management, and excellent communication skills help distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies ensure the effective design, implementation, and troubleshooting of complex control systems, which are critical for operational safety, efficiency, and project success.

What are the typical responsibilities of a senior controls engineer in a manufacturing environment?

As a Senior Controls Engineer in a manufacturing setting, you can expect to lead the design, programming, and troubleshooting of automation systems such as PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA. Your responsibilities often include overseeing control system upgrades, optimizing equipment for efficiency, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. You will regularly collaborate with cross-functional teams—including maintenance, production, and IT—to implement solutions and support continuous improvement initiatives. Managing complex projects and mentoring junior engineers are also common aspects of the role.
What are the most commonly searched types of Controls Engineer jobs in Idaho? The most popular types of Controls Engineer jobs in Idaho are:
What are popular job titles related to Senior Controls Engineer jobs in Idaho? For Senior Controls Engineer jobs in Idaho, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Controls Engineer jobs in Idaho look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Controls Engineer jobs in Idaho are:
Infographic showing various Senior Controls Engineer job openings in Idaho as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,944 per year, or $51.9 per hour.

$160K - $230K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 22 hours ago


Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 46 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 156 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description

Our Equipment Automation Engineering (EAE) team seeks a professional and innovative individual to join our team in Pullman WA or Lewiston ID. SEL is a 100 percent employee-owned company that specializes in creating and manufacturing digital products and systems that protect and control power systems around the world.
The Equipment Automation Engineering team supports manufacturing and vertical integration teams by understanding our manufacturing processes, recommending solutions, and executing projects.
The successful candidate will be dependable, responsible, and self-motivated, and work closely with EAE mechanical engineers, Production representatives, and related Engineering teams to develop, successfully implement, and support manufacturing automation solutions. These solutions often include fully custom automation designs.
As a Senior Controls Engineer, a typical day might include the following:
1. Mentoring engineers and technicians.
2. Leading in initial equipment concept development and carefully balancing product specifications, process control requirements, layout complexity, cost, quality, and lead-time limits.
3. Laying out new industrial electrical control panels which are NFPA79/NEC/UL508A compliant and create electrical schematics.
4. Architecting, writing, and debugging PLC ladder logic with an emphasis on generating code that is organized, structured, documented, maintainable and reusable. PLC code will interact with subsystems such as conveyors, robots, Manufacturing Execution System (MES), machine vision, and 3rd party equipment.
5. Managing electrical cabinet builds.
6. Creating machine interactions with plant-wide Manufacturing Execution System (MES).
7. Introducing automated machines and processes into production, and training Maintenance and Production teams to support after deployment of equipment.
8. Creating and reviewing specifications and providing technical evaluations for outsourced automated equipment purchases.
9. Performing as technical lead on assigned projects.
10. Other duties as assigned.
This job might be for you if you are a US Citizen and if you have:
1. B.S./M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics, or related discipline
2. 12+ years relevant experience in designing and implementing automation solutions in a manufacturing environment.
3. Strong technical expertise in the application of PLCs (example: Allen Bradley, Mitsubishi), HMI/GUI layout, Field Bus Networks, Safety Systems, Vision Systems, and integration of Robotics.
4. Familiarity with electrical prints and standards for industrial equipment.
5. Excellent technical presentation and training skills.
6. Demonstrated advanced proficiency in programming PLCs, with a well-defined methodology for maintaining code structure and organization.
7. Ability to program state machines for complex processes which involve multi-station parallel processing, pick and place automation, data acquisition, and PID control.
8. Proven ability to design reliable systems with error handling and recovery processes.
Competitive pay. Superior benefits. Inspiring work.
People are at the core of our company and we hire employee-owners. We welcome you to learn more about how we support employees.
  • We're 100% employee owned. Retirement benefits include an employer funded stock ownership plan (ESOP) and personal 401(k) options.
  • We offer top tier medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
  • We recognize the importance of a healthy life balance and offer: 10 paid holidays, annual vacation accrual starting at 12 days, 9 paid sick days, and paid family and medical leave that covers 90% of your pay.
  • We foster growth and development of our employees through avenues such as STEM courses, apprenticeships, tuition assistance, and engineering development programs.
  • Ask our team about other benefits including wellness, fertility, adoption, and flexible spending benefits.

Pay Range Data
New hires generally start between $160,600 - $230,000. We base our starting pay offer on location and job-related factors such as candidate experience, training, knowledge, and skills. Our salary ranges are determined by job, responsibility, and location.
Communication with Applicants
We communicate with all applicants. If you do not receive a response about your application, please check your SPAM filter or reach out to us at careers@selinc.com.
SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.
Communication with Applicants
We communicate with all applicants. If you do not receive a response about your application, please check your SPAM filter or reach out to us at careers@selinc.com.
SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.

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