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Senior Controls Engineer Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Aetherflux

Sr. Controls Engineer

Kent, WA · On-site

$165K - $190K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics, Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, or related engineering field. * 3+ years of experience in controls engineering, mechatronics, or automation for hardware systems.

Concept Systems Inc

Be Seen First

Senior Controls Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

Concept Systems, Inc. is a Pacific Northwest-based industrial automation system integrator with deep expertise in controls engineering, robotics, custom work cells, and panel fabrication. We partner ...

Blue Origin

Senior Controls Engineer

Seattle, WA

$156K - $219K/yr

This is a senior-level position that requires a deep understanding of flight dynamics, control ... Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a ...

AST

Controls Engineer

Tacoma, WA · On-site

Controls Engineer At AST, we enhance the efficiency, productivity, and safety of flexible aseptic ... Senior roles may include more lead responsibilities. Eligibility Requirements: * Must be legally ...

AST

Controls Engineer

Tacoma, WA · On-site

$70K - $120K/yr

Controls Engineer At AST, we enhance the efficiency, productivity, and safety of flexible aseptic ... Senior roles may include more lead responsibilities. Eligibility Requirements: * Must be legally ...

Eaton

Senior Microgrid Controls Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$86K - $126K/yr

Eaton's Electrical Engineering Services & Systems division is hiring a Senior Microgrid Controls Engineer. In this role, you'll develop microgrid control solutions for customers across the U.S to ...

New

Blue Origin

Senior Automation Controls Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$197K - $276K/yr

We are looking for someone to apply their expansive controls engineering expertise, leadership skills, and dedication to quality to scale and improve automated manufacturing at Blue. Passion for our ...

Blue Origin

Senior Automation Controls Engineer

Seattle, WA

$118K - $155K/yr

We are looking for someone to apply their expansive controls engineering expertise, leadership skills, and dedication to quality to scale and improve automated manufacturing at Blue. Passion for our ...

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All JobsControls Engineer JobsSenior Controls Engineer JobsSenior Controls Engineer Jobs in Seattle, WA

Senior Controls Engineer information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$81.9K

$130.6K

$175.3K

How much do senior controls engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior controls engineer in Seattle, WA is $130,557.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $110,400.00 and $145,700.00 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 Seattle, WA?

The most popular types of Controls Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Controls Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA?

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

What job categories do people searching Senior Controls Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Controls Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA are:

What cities near Seattle, WA are hiring for Senior Controls Engineer jobs?

Cities near Seattle, WA with the most Senior Controls Engineer job openings:

Senior Controls Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Controls Engineer job openings in Seattle, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,560 per year, or $62.8 per hour.

Sr. Controls Engineer

Aetherflux

Kent, WA • On-site

$165K - $190K/yr

Full-time

Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight and enable a new class of capabilities-from powering on-orbit compute, to transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), to delivering secure, high-bandwidth optical data. By rethinking how energy and data are generated and distributed in space, we're unlocking entirely new ways to operate both in orbit and on Earth.
Founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt (co-founder of Robinhood), Cowboy Space Corp. is backed by leading investors and built by a team from top aerospace and defense organizations. We're moving quickly to solve complex technical challenges and build a new category of space infrastructure.
About the Role:
You will design and develop motor controls, automation sequences, and embedded control systems for the vehicle's fluid systems. This includes motor-driven valve and pump actuation, automated fill/drain/vent/conditioning sequences, and closed-loop control of fluid subsystems across propulsion, pressurization, and thermal management. You will work at the intersection of electrical, mechanical, and software engineering to deliver robust, flight-ready control solutions from concept through integration and operations.
Responsibilities:
  • Design and implement motor control systems for electrically actuated valves and pumps, interfacing with drive electronics, feedback sensing, and control algorithms.
  • Develop automated sequences for propellant fill, drain, vent, and conditioning operations on both vehicle and ground support equipment.
  • Architect and implement closed-loop control for fluid system parameters (pressure, temperature, flow rate, liquid level) across propulsion and thermal subsystems.
  • Select and integrate actuators, motors, encoders, position sensors, and pressure/temperature instrumentation for fluid system control.
  • Design control electronics hardware (motor drivers, power stages, sensor interfaces) or define requirements for electrical engineering partners.
  • Develop embedded firmware and real-time control software for fluid system controllers and sequencers.
  • Perform system modeling and simulation to validate control strategies, predict transient behavior, and tune controller gains.
  • Define and execute hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and system-level test campaigns to verify control performance and fault response.
  • Develop fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) logic for fluid system automation to ensure safe operations during nominal and off-nominal conditions.
  • Work closely with fluid systems, propulsion, avionics, and software teams to integrate controls into the broader vehicle architecture.
  • Support propulsion hot-fire testing, vehicle fill/drain operations, and ground system commissioning.
  • Investigate anomalies, analyze telemetry data, and iterate on control designs to improve performance and reliability.

Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics, Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, or related engineering field.
  • 3+ years of experience in controls engineering, mechatronics, or automation for hardware systems.
  • Experience with motor control (BLDC, stepper, or brushed) including drive electronics and feedback control.
  • Experience with PID control loops, kalman filtering, feedforward control or other control loops and estimation algorithms.
  • Proficiency in embedded programming (C/C++) for real-time control applications.
  • Experience developing automated sequences or state machines for complex physical systems.
  • Hands-on experience integrating sensors, actuators, and control electronics into hardware assemblies.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with PLC/PAC programming or custom sequencing engines for ground support equipment.
  • Knowledge of control system design tools (MATLAB/Simulink, Python, LabVIEW, or equivalent) for modeling and simulation.
  • Experience designing or specifying motor drives and power electronics for harsh environments (vibration, thermal extremes).
  • Familiarity with communication protocols common in aerospace (CAN, RS-422, EtherCAT, SpaceWire).
  • Experience with hardware-in-the-loop testing and rapid prototyping of control systems.
  • Understanding of fluid system physics (pressure regulation, two-phase flow, thermal transients) as it relates to control design.
  • Experience with launch vehicle, spacecraft, or rocket engine fluid system controls.
  • Familiarity with cryogenic fluid handling and the controls challenges of cryogenic environments.

Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $165,000 - $190,000 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.
  • Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
  • Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) retirement savings plan
  • Paid time off
  • 10 paid holidays per calendar year
  • Paid parental leave
  • Relocation assistance if applicable
  • Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks

ITAR Requirements
  • Export Control Requirement: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here.

Disclaimer
This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at Cowboy Space Corp.'s discretion.
Cowboy Space Corp. is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities and experience. Cowboy Space Corp. is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical, mental or developmental disability, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), veteran status, military status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.

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