How to hire a controls engineer

How to hire a controls engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step controls engineer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a controls engineer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new controls engineer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a controls engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a controls engineer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A controls engineer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, controls engineers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents controls engineer salaries for various positions.

   Type of Controls Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Controls Engineer	Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacturing of electrical equipment, such as electric motors, radar and navigation systems, communications systems, and power generation equipment. Electronics engineers design and develop electronic equipment, such as broadcast and communications systems—from portable music players to global positioning systems (GPSs).	$30-53
   Electrical Designer	An electrical designer designs and develops electrical circuit and system layouts for electric power distribution. The responsibilities of an electrical designer include assembling electrical panels and leading a team of document control personnel in-charged to identify and organize facility maintenance drawings... Show more	$22-42
   Engineering Trainee	An engineering trainee is responsible for shadowing engineers in their duties and performing administrative tasks as needed. Engineering trainees assist the engineers in inspecting construction sites and conducting field research... Show more	$20-39

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • C++
   • Troubleshoot
   • UL
   • Hmi Programming
   • MATLAB
   • Simulink
   • Project Management
   • PLC/HMI
   • Ladder Logic
   • Technical Support
   • Electrical Controls
   • Servo
   • Process Control
   • Control System Design

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead team to upgrade new syringe lines to current OSHA and NFPA safety standards.
   • Lead a team of 12 programmers to validate a common library of 70 DeltaV modules.
   • Promote to manage the advanced process control (APC) program, responsible for the generation of $30MM per year.
   • Establish communication links and prepare machines for bench-testing to attain UL certification.
   • Design electrical controls using Allen-Bradley PLC for automatic filling of emergency breathing air bottles.
   • Complete system design, installation, troubleshooting and technical support of PC and PLC control automated and robotic manufacturing equipment.

   More controls engineer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your controls engineer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A controls engineer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, controls engineers' average salary in montana is 46% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level controls engineers earn 42% less than senior-level controls engineers.
   • Certifications. A controls engineer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a controls engineer's salary.

   Average controls engineer salary

   $84,532yearly

   $40.64 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level controls engineer salary

   $64,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average controls engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$113,824	$55
   2	Washington	$98,772	$47
   3	Texas	$92,220	$44
   4	Michigan	$87,697	$42
   5	Virginia	$86,329	$42
   6	Colorado	$85,308	$41
   7	Alabama	$84,520	$41
   8	Oklahoma	$81,800	$39
   9	Florida	$79,269	$38
   10	New York	$78,960	$38
   11	Illinois	$78,194	$38
   12	Pennsylvania	$77,791	$37
   13	Missouri	$77,354	$37
   14	Minnesota	$77,112	$37
   15	Georgia	$76,263	$37
   16	Mississippi	$75,242	$36
   17	North Carolina	$74,986	$36
   18	Ohio	$74,645	$36
   19	Indiana	$73,896	$36
   20	Tennessee	$72,626	$35

   Average controls engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Apple	$135,578	$65.18	209
   2	Google	$129,286	$62.16	83
   3	DoorDash	$124,891	$60.04	6
   4	Zoox	$121,881	$58.60	7
   5	Intuitive Surgical	$121,199	$58.27	6
   6	BP America Inc	$120,083	$57.73
   7	Ross Stores	$116,648	$56.08	3
   8	Phillips 66	$116,634	$56.07	6
   9	Applied Materials	$112,809	$54.24	33
   10	Rivian	$111,061	$53.39	15
   11	PRO Unlimited	$109,579	$52.68
   12	Uber Technologies	$108,484	$52.16
   13	Karma Automotive	$108,204	$52.02
   14	Koch Industries	$107,773	$51.81	2
   15	Seres	$107,416	$51.64	2
   16	Amazon	$107,112	$51.50	315
   17	General Motors	$106,017	$50.97	61
   18	Stanford University	$104,101	$50.05	4
   19	Nikola Motor	$104,047	$50.02
   20	PPG	$104,007	$50.00	1

4. Writing a controls engineer job description

   A job description for a controls engineer role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a controls engineer job description:

   Controls engineer job description example

   Together We Saves Lives!
   
   The keys to success are yours at Joyson Safety Systems! We are a global leader in design, development and manufacturing of safety-critical systems and components for automotive and non-automotive markets. We are committed to bringing life-saving technology to customers worldwide. Joyson Safety Systems leverages the power of collaboration and innovation to provide quality and service excellence for our customers worldwide. Our company is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA, with a global network of more than 50,000 employees in 25 countries.
   
   Our team is passionate about the automotive industry, focused on delivering quality and innovation for the future. We encourage lifelong learning and provide the resources to help our team members build the foundation for a strong future with us. We strive to promote from within, offering excellent opportunities for career growth and advancement.
   
   Our talented team is hard working and dedicated to keeping people safe. We promote a collaborative, open culture; as a global business, we encourage our team members to communicate and work with colleagues around the world. As our operations continue to expand, we are always on the lookout for top talent to join our winning team.
   
   We are currently seeking a Controls Engineer for our Moses Lake facility. If you are looking to enhance your career with a dynamic, growing company, then we encourage you to apply and join the JSS team!
   
   Summary: The Controls Engineer provides hands-on support to the manufacturing operation with respect to PLC and computer-based control systems, electrical/mechanical interfaces, and manufacturing equipment. Tasks may also include project work designing and implementing new solutions from beginning stage to production rollout including training and documentation.
   
   We provide a very comprehensive benefits package and excellent opportunities for growth. We take great pride in the work we do, and we aim to provide each of our team members with everything they need to build a lifelong career. Our team is qualified, collaborative and dedicated to keeping people safe. With us, you will enjoy a meaningful, rewarding career - join our team today!
   
   Requirements:Bachelor of Science Degree Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Computer Science or in a related discipline (BSEE, BSME, BSIE, etc.) Electrical emphasis on Controls with 3-5 years' proficient in programming automated manufacturing control systems. Proficient with PLC ladder logic, Alan Bradley RSLogix (ControlLogix, CompactLogix), TransAction Manager Software and Siemens. Visual Studio VB programming, electrical mechanical equipment, analog and digital devices and familiarity with NEC and CAD a plus.
   
   Must be able to pass a drug/alcohol screen and a background check on criminal/work history.
   
   We are an Affirmative Action/EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability or veteran status.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find controls engineers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any controls engineers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level controls engineers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your controls engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit controls engineer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit controls engineers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new controls engineer

   Once you've found the controls engineer candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a controls engineer?