How to hire a lead controls engineer

How to hire a lead controls engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step lead 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 lead controls engineer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new lead controls engineer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a lead controls engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The lead controls engineer hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect lead controls engineer also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents lead controls engineer salaries for various positions.

   Type of Lead Controls Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Lead 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).	$37-59
   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
   Staff Design Engineer	Staff design engineers are tasked to assess the efficiency of instruments, technologies, and equipment by collaborating with the engineering team to plan, design, and develop technologies efficiently. Their responsibilities include building and setting up, as wells as improving systems and procedures... Show more	$42-87

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • C++
   • PLC
   • Technical Support
   • HMI
   • Project Management
   • Allen-Bradley
   • MATLAB
   • Simulink
   • Engineering Design
   • Capital Projects
   • Autocad
   • Software Development
   • Hmi Programming
   • Control Algorithms

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Develop graphical user interface computer programs to automate Simulink transient analysis of FADEC controls for helicopter gas turbine engines.
   • Design STATCOM RTDS system using MATLAB to test control algorithms in MarkVIcontroller.
   • Develop 3D assembly parts for new CTV, DVD and VCD with the use of SolidWorks & AutoCAD.
   • Conduct SQL queries and table updates.
   • Review and approve logic program and HMI screen structures.
   • Improve reporting and monitoring processes by writing SQL and Unix scripts.

   More lead controls engineer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your lead controls engineer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A lead controls engineer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, lead controls engineers' average salary in kentucky is 49% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level lead controls engineers 36% less than senior-level lead controls engineers.
   • Certifications. A lead controls engineer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a lead controls engineer's salary.

   Average lead controls engineer salary

   $99,296yearly

   $47.74 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level lead controls engineer salary

   $79,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

   Average lead controls engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Texas	$114,333	$55
   2	California	$111,233	$53
   3	Michigan	$107,354	$52
   4	Massachusetts	$106,850	$51
   5	Virginia	$105,316	$51
   6	Colorado	$101,654	$49
   7	Maine	$99,648	$48
   8	Minnesota	$96,788	$47
   9	Florida	$95,372	$46
   10	Illinois	$95,196	$46
   11	Ohio	$94,359	$45
   12	Pennsylvania	$94,282	$45
   13	Connecticut	$92,459	$44
   14	Georgia	$91,597	$44
   15	Kansas	$89,653	$43
   16	New York	$89,026	$43
   17	Alabama	$88,887	$43
   18	North Carolina	$88,373	$42
   19	Indiana	$86,774	$42
   20	Louisiana	$86,518	$42

   Average lead controls engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Rivian	$119,126	$57.27	17
   2	Amazon	$112,118	$53.90	147
   3	Citi	$111,002	$53.37	2
   4	Nikola Motor	$110,261	$53.01
   5	Navistar	$107,827	$51.84	1
   6	General Motors	$105,472	$50.71	64
   7	TechnipFMC	$105,130	$50.54	3
   8	International Trucks	$104,702	$50.34
   9	Sierra Pacific Industries	$104,443	$50.21	2
   10	Morgan Stanley	$102,744	$49.40	6
   11	Wabtec Corporation	$102,154	$49.11	6
   12	General Electric	$101,316	$48.71	70
   13	MITRE	$99,257	$47.72	4
   14	Stantec	$96,775	$46.53	276
   15	Precision Systems Engineering	$96,315	$46.31
   16	Dashiell	$95,821	$46.07	51
   17	National Grid plc	$95,664	$45.99	1
   18	Tyson Foods	$95,546	$45.94	1
   19	Eaton	$95,254	$45.80	273
   20	Wellington Management	$94,650	$45.50	3

4. Writing a lead controls engineer job description

   A job description for a lead 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 lead controls engineer job description:

   Lead controls engineer job description example

   • 8+ years of Substation protection control design and/or field testing/commissioning experience.
   • Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, civil or related degree

   It would be nice if you had:

   • P.E license
   • Master's degree in related field
   • Field testing/commissioning experience

   In this role, you can expect to grow:

   • With opportunities for both technical and non-technical training
   • By working with different types of projects ranging from distribution to transmission level voltages
   • By participating in our mentorship program

   WHAT WE DO

   Leidos is a trusted and technology-focused solutions provider. Utilities and mobile operators rely on our Power Delivery Services Team for reliable power and telecommunication expertise, as reflected through our work with more than 50 investor-owned utilities, more than 160 municipals/cooperatives, as well as a growing number of mobile operators, local utility providers and private developers. In addition to providing engineering and project management services, Leidos works with an established group of industry-leading construction partners delivering meaningful Energy Delivery Solutions. Our recognition as an industry leader is confirmed by the latest national rankings by Engineering News-Record (ENR) ranking Leidos within the Top 10 T&D Firms, and Top 10 Power Firms. To explore and learn more, click here!

   At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.

   We take care of our employees. Leidos seeks the best and the brightest, and in return, we invest in you, with an eye on your future, through career advancement, growth opportunities and continuous improvement via mentoring, formal and informal project management training and assistance with obtaining pertinent certifications. We challenge you to help solve some of the world's toughest problems, and reward you with a welcoming culture that recognizes the importance of a strong work/life balance, as well as competitive compensation and benefits. We believe that diversity and inclusion make us all better and offer the chance to have fun and make a difference.

   PDSSUBSTATION

   PowerDelivery

   Pay Range: Pay Range $94,250.00 - $145,000.00 - $195,750.00

   The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find lead controls engineers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit lead controls engineers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates 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 lead controls engineer

   Once you've decided on a perfect lead controls engineer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new lead controls engineer. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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