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How to hire a senior control systems engineer

Senior control systems engineer hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring senior control systems engineers in the United States:

  • HR departments typically spend 15% of their expenses on recruitment.
  • It usually takes about 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • It typically takes 36-42 days to fill a job opening.
  • The median cost to hire a senior control systems engineer is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per senior control systems engineer on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • There are currently 4,810 senior control systems engineers in the US and 154,439 job openings.
  • Santa Cruz, CA, has the highest demand for senior control systems engineers, with 7 job openings.
  • Houston, TX has the highest concentration of senior control systems engineers.

How to hire a senior control systems engineer, step by step

To hire a senior control systems engineer, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a senior control systems engineer:

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

What does a senior control systems engineer do?

As senior control systems engineer's main task is to provide automatic solutions to their company through technologies such as DCS, PLC, and custom-built panels. They are responsible for designing and analyzing control systems for their company and identifying any potential issues. They troubleshoot the malfunctions within the control systems of the company. In addition to that, they provide the company with system designs and engineering tasks.

Learn more about the specifics of what a senior control systems engineer does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The senior control systems 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?

    Hiring the perfect senior control systems 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 senior control systems engineer salaries for various positions.

    Type of Senior Control Systems EngineerDescriptionHourly rate
    Senior Control Systems EngineerElectrical 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).$40-68
    Engineering TraineeAn 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
    EngineerEngineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects... Show more$31-62
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • MATLAB
    • C++
    • Project Management
    • HMI
    • Process Control
    • Control System Design
    • Technical Support
    • Autocad
    • Ethernet
    • System Architecture
    • Automation Systems
    • Motion Control
    • Control Strategies
    • Allen-Bradley
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Lead the development of smarter controls utilizing DeviceNet and Profibus architecture.
    • Define control system philosophies, I/O lists, site network diagrams, approve SWD, create logic and HMI code.
    • Analyze and resolve Ethernet network issues.
    • Review compressor controls, hazop and cause & effect analyses.
    • Well-Verse with Allen-Bradley PLCs including ControlLogix, PLC5, and SLC.
    • Design vehicle controls system software using MATLAB Simulink to meet the government standards.
    More senior control systems engineer duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the senior control systems engineer job description is a good way to get more applicants. A senior control systems engineer salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

    For example, the average salary for a senior control systems engineer in Utah may be lower than in California, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level senior control systems engineer. Additionally, a senior control systems engineer with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average senior control systems engineer salary

    $109,721yearly

    $52.75 hourly rate

    Entry-level senior control systems engineer salary
    $84,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 14, 2025

    Average senior control systems engineer salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$134,651$65
    2Texas$116,016$56
    3Washington$114,997$55
    4Maryland$108,015$52
    5Arizona$106,740$51
    6Michigan$106,071$51
    7Colorado$100,531$48
    8Illinois$99,713$48
    9Georgia$91,083$44
    10Ohio$90,469$43
    11North Carolina$86,768$42
    12Florida$85,531$41
    13Iowa$83,932$40
    14Indiana$82,673$40

    Average senior control systems engineer salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Apple$139,775$67.20285
    2Cheniere Energy$134,828$64.821
    3Intuitive Surgical$134,201$64.5218
    4Rivian$133,581$64.2237
    5Seres$130,982$62.971
    6Genentech$126,143$60.6510
    7Tesla$124,972$60.082
    8Hoffmann-LA Roche Inc$122,900$59.091
    9Lucid Motors$122,611$58.9580
    10Dana Incorporated$121,309$58.323
    11Amazon$120,904$58.13407
    12Air Products$118,935$57.185
    13Leprino Foods$117,672$56.57
    14Joby Aviation$116,808$56.1638
    15General Motors$115,169$55.37264
    16Allison Transmission$114,478$55.0415
    17Meritor$114,330$54.97
    183M Company$113,071$54.3619
    19Praxair$112,734$54.20
    20General Electric$111,538$53.62146
  4. Writing a senior control systems engineer job description

    A senior control systems engineer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a senior control systems engineer job description:

    Senior control systems engineer job description example

    1. Conduct system protection and power disturbance analysis including power quality issues such as over/under voltage, transient surges, under-frequency, and harmonics using commercially available protection analysis tools such as ASPEN Oneliner and CAPE.

    2. Evaluate and maintain, transmission protection schemes as well as designing new installations for system expansion to meet AMP Transmission Planning criteria.

    3. Serve as subject matter expert and provide input and expertise on the development of engineering standards, guidelines, studies, calculations and specifications associated with power system protection.

    4. Develop and recommend system protection settings for existing and new proposed transmission, and generation projects to meet AMP Transmission Planning criteria.

    5. Coordinate with AMP members in developing models, conducting short-circuit and dynamic analysis and guidance toward member distribution system upgrades.

    6. Interface with key external stakeholders such as PJM, TOs, Developers, and other entities related the protection of the transmission system.


    Essential Functions:

    1. Conduct system protection and power disturbance analysis including power quality issues such as over/under voltage, transient surges, under-frequency, and harmonics using commercially available protection analysis tools.

    2. Support the programming and testing of RTUS (DAQ) for SCADA system and Digital Fault Recorder.

    3. Support field calibration and commissioning tests on a variety of electro-mechanical and microprocessor maintenance projects.

    4. Coordinate with AMPT Engineering, Operations, Generation and AMP Members to develop scope of work for engineering and construction. Participate in project field/site walkdowns, attend meetings/conference calls as needed.

    5. Build and maintain excellent relationships with AMP Members, stakeholder representatives, and individual TO representatives.

    6. Oversee the work of consultants/legal as required

    7. Perform other various duties as assigned.


    Knowledge, Skills, & Qualifications:

    1. Must have a four-year accredited degree in electrical engineering. Professional Engineer certification preferred.

    2. Extensive knowledge of power system engineering and protection system principles and their application to electric utility operational practices.

    3. Preferred to have a minimum of 5 years of experience in transmission system protection.

    4. Familiar with applicable North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Reliability Standards and Regional Reliability Organization (RRO) Reliability Standards.

    5. Must have at least 5 years’ experience with commercially available software such as ETAP, ASPEN, and CAPE.

    6. In depth knowledge of electro-mechanical relays such as SEL/GE microprocessor relays and SEL communication processors.

    7. Have familiarity with commonly utilized communication protocols (such as DNP, SEL, MMS, Modbus, etc.).

    8. Must demonstrate a high degree of expertise in the use of software tools that produce items such as spreadsheets, written reports, database reports and graphical presentations (e.g., Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint).

    9. Must possess excellent communication, presentation, diplomacy, active listening, and facilitation skills to effectively work in small or large group forums ranging from technical to non-technical audiences at all levels of the corporate hierarchy.

    10. Must be willing to travel.



  5. Post your job

    To find the right senior control systems engineer for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with senior control systems engineers they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit senior control systems engineers who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your senior control systems engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit senior control systems engineer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with senior control systems engineer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of 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 senior control systems engineer

    Once you've selected the best senior control systems engineer candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    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 senior control systems engineer?

Recruiting senior control systems engineers involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

Senior control systems engineers earn a median yearly salary is $109,721 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find senior control systems engineers for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $40 and $68.

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