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Senior Controls Engineer Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

Sr. Controls Engineer

Madison, WI · On-site

$97K - $129K/yr

Position Overview As a Sr. Controls Engineer, you will lead cross-functional efforts with internal teams, equipment vendors, and external partners to procure, install, commission, support, and ...

Sr. Controls Engineer

Madison, WI · On-site

$97K - $129K/yr

Position Overview As a Sr. Controls Engineer, you will lead cross-functional efforts with internal teams, equipment vendors, and external partners to procure, install, commission, support, and ...

Sr. Controls Engineer

Madison, WI · On-site

$97K - $129K/yr

Position Overview As a Sr. Controls Engineer, you will lead cross-functional efforts with internal teams, equipment vendors, and external partners to procure, install, commission, support, and ...

Senior Controls Engineer

Lodi, WI · On-site

$125K - $140K/yr

Job Type Full-time Description Position Summary As a Controls Engineer at Alkar, you'll design the ... Serve as a senior technical resource for difficult troubleshooting, root-cause investigation, and ...

Senior Controls Engineer

Lodi, WI · On-site

$125K - $140K/yr

Description Position Summary As a Controls Engineer at Alkar, you'll design the latest automation ... Serve as a senior technical resource for difficult troubleshooting, root-cause investigation, and ...

Senior Controls Engineer

Lodi, WI · On-site

$97K - $128K/yr

Position Summary As a Controls Engineer at Alkar, you'll design the latest automation control ... Serve as a senior technical resource for difficult troubleshooting, root-cause investigation, and ...

Position Summary The Senior Controls Technician is responsible for programming, commissioning, troubleshooting, servicing, and maintaining commercial HVAC Building Automation Systems (BAS). This ...

We are seeking an energetic and highly motivated Controls Engineer with heavy experience with CNC ... Serve as a senior electrical resource for difficult troubleshooting, root-cause investigation, and ...

Controls Engineer

Deerfield, WI

$81K - $105K/yr

We are seeking an energetic and highly motivated Controls Engineer with heavy experience with CNC ... Serve as a senior electrical resource for difficult troubleshooting, root-cause investigation, and ...

New

Controls Engineering Manager

Middleton, WI · On-site

$83K - $108K/yr

You'll oversee and direct the controls engineering team for Quest that executes the design ... Work with senior leadership to develop both short-term and long-term business goals/objectives.

Controls Engineering Manager

Middleton, WI · On-site

$83K - $108K/yr

You'll oversee and direct the controls engineering team for Quest that executes the design ... Work with senior leadership to develop both short-term and long-term business goals/objectives.

Sharpe Engineering & Equipment is seeking an experienced Electrical & Controls Engineer to lead the ... This senior technical role will drive electrical design excellence, support commissioning, and ...

Senior Automation Engineer

Madison, WI · On-site

$104K - $137K/yr

This role serves as a system-level integrator, ensuring mechanical, controls, and process elements ... The Senior Automation Engineer supports projects from early design review through implementation ...

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Showing results 1-20

Senior Controls Engineer information

See Madison, WI salary details

$72.5K

$115.6K

$155.2K

How much do senior controls engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior controls engineer in Madison, WI is $115,600.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,700.00 and $129,000.00 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 Madison, WI?

The most popular types of Controls Engineer jobs in Madison, WI are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Controls Engineer jobs in Madison, WI?

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

What job categories do people searching Senior Controls Engineer jobs in Madison, WI look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Controls Engineer jobs in Madison, WI are:

What cities near Madison, WI are hiring for Senior Controls Engineer jobs?

Cities near Madison, WI with the most Senior Controls Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Controls Engineer job openings in Madison, WI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 83% In-person, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,600 per year, or $55.6 per hour.

Sr. Controls Engineer

Abbott

Madison, WI • On-site

$97K - $129K/yr

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago


Abbott rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 138 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

173rd of 544 rated manufacturers


Job description

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.JOB DESCRIPTION:

Position Overview
As a Sr. Controls Engineer, you will lead cross-functional efforts with internal teams, equipment vendors, and external partners to procure, install, commission, support, and continuously improve automation and control systems across manufacturing, R&D, and laboratory operations. You will design and implement hardware and software controls for equipment, instrumentation, SCADA, and Environmental Monitoring Systems (EMS), helping ensure reliable, maintainable, and compliant system performance. In this role, you will define control system architecture, develop equipment and instrumentation requirements, support commissioning and troubleshooting, and drive scalable engineering standards. You will also mentor fellow engineers and help establish controls engineering best practices across the team and broader organization.

Essential Duties
Include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Conceive, specify, procure, and implement control system installations and modifications based on stakeholder input and collaboration with internal and external partners.
  • Support existing control system installations, including, but not limited to, hands-on troubleshooting, system setup and adjustment, integration of new equipment, repair, planned maintenance, and performance monitoring.
  • Lead projects to analyze, troubleshoot, and improve systems, such as environmental monitoring, automated batch production in a cGMP environment, and clinical laboratory diagnostic sample testing automation in a CAP/CLIA environment, with guidance from leadership.
  • Use engineering knowledge to lead and assist in consolidating project requirements and data, interfacing with functional specialists on cross-functional teams to ensure stakeholder understanding of trade-offs among cost, schedule, quality, and risk.
  • Participate in all aspects of project delivery from inception to turnover in accordance with accepted project management principles and internal engineering practices.
  • Develop and maintain documentation, such as standard operating procedures, custom reports, engineering standards, user requirements, design specifications, component specifications, and commissioning protocols, to ensure consistent, high-quality projects.
  • Provide technical support, ensuring appropriate change control practices are followed.
  • Lead or participate in investigations and troubleshooting of control systems and manufacturing processes associated with internal review, CAPA, audits, or complaints.
  • Identify and evaluate software tools and applications to enhance control systems, processes, and operational performance.
  • Build relationships with IT Administrators and other stakeholders to ensure alignment with architectural and technical support processes for the assigned systems/applications.
  • Establish and track key performance indicators that measure the health of systems and proactively identify failure modes.
  • Provide coaching and mentoring for other controls engineers and team members and help establish industry best practices.
  • Communicate effectively across all organizational levels, as well as with external suppliers.
  • Uphold company mission and values through accountability, innovation, integrity, quality, and teamwork.
  • Support and comply with the company's Quality Management System policies and procedures.
  • Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
  • Act with an inclusion mindset and model these behaviors for the organization.
  • Ability to work seated for approximately 80% of a typical working day. Ability to work standing for approximately 20% of a typical working day.
  • Ability to comply with any applicable personal protective equipment requirements.
  • Ability to lift up to 20 pounds for approximately 10% of a typical working day.
  • Ability to work designated schedule.
  • Ability to work nights and/or weekends as needed.
  • Ability to comply with any applicable personal protective equipment requirements.
  • Ability and means to travel between local Exact Sciences locations.
  • Ability to travel 10% of working time away from work location, may include overnight/weekend travel.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or field as outlined in the essential duties; or High School Diploma (GED) and 4 years of relevant experience as outlined in the essential duties.
  • 6 years of experience working in manufacturing, R&D, biotech, or similar industries.
  • 3 years of experience as a controls engineer working with PLC and/or SCADA systems.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office programs, such as: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
  • Demonstrated ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation.
  • Applicants must be currently authorized to work in country where work will be performed on a full or part-time basis. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.
  • Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience as a controls engineer in a regulated (FDA, CAP/CLIA or similar) environment.
  • Experience managing and executing projects of various sizes and scopes and communicating to cross functional stakeholders.
  • Experience working with AVEVA System Platform (Wonderware) and/or Allen Bradley PLCs.
  • Experience leading cross-functional and multi-site projects.

The base pay for this position is

$78,000.00 - $156,000.00

In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

JOB FAMILY:EngineeringDIVISION:ONCO Cancer DiagnosticsLOCATION:United States > Madison : 1 Exact LaneADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:WORK SHIFT:StandardTRAVEL:Yes, 5 % of the TimeMEDICAL SURVEILLANCE:NoSIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES:Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Continuous standing for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Lift, carry, push or pull weights of more than 20 pounds/9 kilos on a regular/daily basisAbbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans.EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdfEEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf

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