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Senior Controls Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Amsted Industries

Senior Controls Engineer

Petersburg, VA · On-site

$95K - $125K/yr

POSITION SUMMARY The Sr. Controls Engineer serves as the site technical authority for industrial controls, automation, and machine control systems within our manufacturing operation. In this role you ...

Amsted Rail Company

Senior Controls Engineer

Petersburg, VA · On-site

$95K - $125K/yr

POSITION SUMMARY The Sr. Controls Engineer serves as the site technical authority for industrial controls, automation, and machine control systems within our manufacturing operation. In this role you ...

Amsted Industries

Senior Controls Engineer

Petersburg, VA · On-site

$100K - $145K/hr

POSITION SUMMARY The Sr. Controls Engineer serves as the site technical authority for industrial controls, automation, and machine control systems within our manufacturing operation. In this role you ...

General Motors

Senior Controls Engineer

Bedford, VA

$81K - $107K/yr

The Role As a Senior Process Controls Engineer, you will lead the development, execution, and continuous improvement of manufacturing controls across new and existing programs. This role supports ...

Jewett Automation, LLC

Sr Controls Engineer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

The Senior Electrical Controls Engineer will be a key player in designing, programming, and commissioning advanced electrical control systems for our custom automated equipment. We are seeking a ...

Jewett Automation, LLC

Sr Controls Engineer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$110 - $130/hr

Position Purpose The Senior Electrical Controls Engineer will be a key player in designing, programming, and commissioning advanced electrical control systems for our custom automated equipment. We ...

Amazon

Sr. Controls Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$99K - $131K/yr

Develop and modify controls logic programming and graphical user interfaces. Manage multiple stakeholder deliverables, requirements and navigate challenging situations. Financially manage BMS and ...

Amazon Data Services, Inc.

Sr. Controls Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$99K - $131K/yr

Develop and modify controls logic programming and graphical user interfaces. Manage multiple stakeholder deliverables, requirements and navigate challenging situations. Financially manage BMS and ...

Amazon Data Services, Inc.

Sr. Controls Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$99K - $131K/yr

Develop and modify controls logic programming and graphical user interfaces. Manage multiple stakeholder deliverables, requirements and navigate challenging situations. Financially manage BMS and ...

Altria Group, Inc.

Senior Controls Engineer I

Richmond, VA · On-site

$91K - $128K/yr

Senior Controls Engineer I Req Id: 2344 Work Model: On-Site Company: Philip Morris USA State/Province: Virginia Together We Innovate. Together We Change. Are you seeking an opportunity that involves ...

Amazon Data Services, Inc.

Sr. Controls Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$99K - $131K/yr

Develop and modify controls logic programming and graphical user interfaces. Manage multiple stakeholder deliverables, requirements and navigate challenging situations. Financially manage BMS and ...

Amazon Data Services, Inc.

Sr. Controls Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$99K - $131K/yr

Develop and modify controls logic programming and graphical user interfaces. Manage multiple stakeholder deliverables, requirements and navigate challenging situations. Financially manage BMS and ...

IPL (Indiana)

Senior Controls Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site +1

$111K - $147K/yr

Position Summary The Senior Controls Engineer will lead the design, testing, commissioning, and continuous improvement of plant-level control systems for utility-scale solar and battery energy ...

Amazon

Sr. Controls Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$99K - $131K/yr

Develop and modify controls logic programming and graphical user interfaces. Manage multiple stakeholder deliverables, requirements and navigate challenging situations. Financially manage BMS and ...

Amazon

Sr. Controls Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$99K - $131K/yr

Develop and modify controls logic programming and graphical user interfaces. Manage multiple stakeholder deliverables, requirements and navigate challenging situations. Financially manage BMS and ...

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All JobsControls Engineer JobsSenior Controls Engineer JobsSenior Controls Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Senior Controls Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$71.4K

$113.7K

$152.7K

How much do senior controls engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior controls engineer in Virginia is $113,740.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $96,200.00 and $126,900.00 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 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 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 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 most commonly searched types of Controls Engineer jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Controls Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Controls Engineer jobs in Virginia?

For Senior Controls Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Controls Engineer jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Controls Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Senior Controls Engineer jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Senior Controls Engineer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Controls Engineer jobs in VA?

For Senior Controls Engineer jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Senior Controls Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Controls Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,740 per year, or $54.7 per hour.

Senior Controls Engineer

Amsted Industries

Petersburg, VA • On-site

$95K - $125K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

Amsted Industries rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 19 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

385th of 494 rated machine equipment manufacturers

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY
The Sr. Controls Engineer serves as the site technical authority for industrial controls, automation, and machine control systems within our manufacturing operation. In this role you will lead high impact controls projects from concept and design through commissioning, production handoff, and support. This position is ideal for an engineer who enjoys solving complex manufacturing challenges, building reliable automation systems, and setting technical direction for scalable controls solutions. In this role you will be a hands-on automation expert who can deliver safe, reliable and maintainable control system solutions while serving as a trusted technical resource for engineering, operations, and maintenance.
What you will own - Business Critical Impact
To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each business-critical impact satisfactorily with or without accommodation.
  • Serve as the technical lead for automation, with electrical design responsibility from concept through implementation for new projects and legacy equipment upgrades.
  • Deliver robust, production ready systems that improve reliability, throughput, safety, and overall equipment effectiveness.
  • Maintain and improve controls standards, PLC programming standards, electrical schematics, documentation, and system architecture across manufacturing processes.
  • Support and troubleshoot in production automation equipment to minimize downtime and improve reliability.
  • Strengthen internal automation capability across engineering, process, operations, and maintenance teams.
  • Act as a technical mentor for engineers, technicians, and maintenance specialists.

Controls Engineering, Machine Vision & Robotics
  • Drive common PLC, HMI, motion control, servo, machine vision, robot programming structure, naming conventions, and reusable logic practices.
  • Set expectations for machine quality, system maintainability, and production reliability.
  • Establish and enforce best practices for: Code reusability and modular design, Fault handling and recovery logic, System maintainability and scalability.
  • Backup, restore, version control, and lifecycle management of PLC, HMI, and automation programs using the AssetCentre repository.
  • Drive safe robotic operation and support compliance with applicable ANSI/RIA machine safety requirements.
  • Integrate and standardize vision systems (Cognex, Keyence, etc.) solutions across all manufacturing processes.
  • Apply advanced vision tools and AI-enabled capabilities where appropriate to improve inline quality inspection, repeatability, and production reliability.
  • Technical experience with; Ethernet/IP and Modbus TCP communications, servo and motion control systems and Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or a related field from an ABET accredited engineering program.
  • 7+ years of controls engineering experience in manufacturing, automation, material handling, or industrial environments.
  • Advanced PLC/HMI programming experience, with Allen Bradley ControlLogix, CompactLogix, GuardLogix, Studio 5000, FactoryTalk View SE/ME or comparable platform.
  • Experience developing and maintaining electrical drawings using Autodesk AutoCAD Electrical or comparable CAD tool.
  • Robotics integration, troubleshooting, commissioning, and production support experience.
  • Machine vision and sensor based production inspection systems.
  • Strong troubleshooting skills in manufacturing facilities across electrical, controls, networking, motion, vision, and robotic systems.
  • Working knowledge of functional safety, machine safety principles, safety circuits, risk reduction, and industry best practices.

Preferred experience
  • FANUC CNC motion control
  • Automation Direct PLC programming
  • Kuka robotics integration
  • Cognex and Keyence vision programming and integration
  • Stratix Ethernet Switches
  • OpenPLC platforms such as ABB or Rexroth
  • Ignition SCADA
  • Horner OCS
  • Mitsubishi, Omron, or other PLC platforms

Employment requirements
  • Successfully pass a pre-employment drug & background screening
  • Lift, push & pull 10 to 50 lbs
  • Wear department required, employer provided, personal protection equipment (PPE)
  • Be able to regularly stand and move throughout the department and shift
  • Ability to support and travel to domestic and international manufacturing sites as needed.

Why Choose Amsted Rail Petersburg?
  • Employee Ownership: Annual stock awards (10% of compensation)
  • 401(k) Match: Up to 4% dollar-for-dollar
  • Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, HSA with company contributions, life insurance, disability coverage, and pet insurance available after 30 days
  • Competitive Pay: Competitive salary, considering prior experience, plus annual bonus eligibility potential
  • Career Growth: Annual Talent Development
  • Work-Life Balance: Paid Time Off (PTO) starting at 3 weeks of PTO & 11 paid holidays
  • Additional Offerings: Tuition Reimbursement, Referral Bonuses, Employee Discount Programs

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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