Sr Controls Engineer - Altavista, VA
Abbott · Altavista, VA
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Controls
- Base pay
- $78k–$156k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Medical devices
- Posted
- Today
The role in 30 seconds
A senior controls role at Abbott (medical devices) in Altavista, VA. As part of a cross-functional project team, lead or assist with electrical control system design/improvement projects including, but not limited to.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause, FDA / GMP, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), PLC, Plant layout, EHS / safety
- Base pay
- $78k–$156k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in Virginia: typical posted base $97k–$143k. This one lists $78k–$156k.
Median of the low and high ends of 7 live postings that list pay, out of 15 controls engineer openings in Virginia, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Virginia plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 14 other live controls postings in Virginia.
- Base pay
- About 14% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (5+ vs 7+)
Typical $130k–$143k, from 6 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 7+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ PLC 53%
- Automation 53%
- ✓ Root cause 33%
- Team leadership 33%
- Tooling 27%
- ✓ FDA / GMP 20%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Plant layout, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Abbott
We found 6 people at this company and state: 6 in this kind of role. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Evan → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Abbott in Altavista
2 other open roles at this site · 6 people we found in controls roles at Abbott.
- Maintenance Supervisor - 3rd Shift - Altavista, VA Plant · Reliability · Supervisor
- Production Supervisor - Off Shift - Altavista, VA Plant · Production · Supervisor
Full description from AbbottAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Required Qualifications
- ✓A Bachelors Degree in Engineering or closely related discipline.
- ✓Minimum of 5 years of experience, applying engineering knowledge, problem solving, and ingenuity to complete assignments related to process/manufacturing systems.
- ✓Experience in validated processes and systems
- ✓Systems troubleshooting and Root Cause Analysis experience
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓Experience working in an FDA/USDA regulated facility
- ✓Demonstrated technical experience preferably with fillers, seamers, cappers, primary equipment (depalletizers, unscramblers, air rinsers), secondary equipment (labelers, conveyors, coders, vision systems, rejection systems, casepackers), wet processing equipment (mixers, homogenizers, heat exchangers, CIP systems) and tertiary equipment (palletizers, stretch wrappers
- ✓Experience in project management including budget and scope management
- ✓Strong communication skills including managing internal/external stakeholders
- ✓Experience in managing engineering firms, suppliers, and contractors
Apply Now
Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: www.abbottbenefits.com
Connect with us at www.abbott.com , on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott , and on Twitter @AbbottNews.
$78,000.00 – $156,000.00 In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
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 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Job description
Working at Abbott
At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:
- •Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
- •Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
- •An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution
- •Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
- •A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
- •A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.
The Opportunity
This position works out of our Altavista, VA location in the Abbott Nutrition division. Our Nutrition business develops science-based nutrition products for people of all ages, from helping babies and children grow to keeping adult bodies strong and active. Millions of people around the world count on our leading brands – including Similac®, PediaSure®, Pedialyte®, Ensure®, and Glucerna® – to help them get the nutrients they need to live their healthiest lives.
Altavista, Va. , is one of Abbott’s largest nutrition manufacturing plants equipped with advanced technology to ensure efficient production. Working here will make you feel like you’re part of a family that works together to make a difference and help nourish millions of families around the world.
What You’ll Work On
- •Provide technical leadership on design, development, implementation, optimization, validation, and troubleshooting of packaging and wet processing equipment
Oversight of installation and integration of manufacturing systems including wet processing, filling and secondary packaging:
- •PLC programming in Delta-V, Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix platforms
- •HMI/SCADA programming in FactoryTalk View SE/ME, Ignition, iFix
- •Temperature / pressure / level / conductivity / PH / vibration instrumentation, sensors, and other field I/O devices
- •Manufacturing networks and electrical MCCs and PDUs
As part of a cross-functional project team, lead or assist with electrical control system design/improvement projects including, but not limited to:
- •Preparing cost estimates, bid packages and outlining equipment specifications
- •Participating in the design of P&ID diagrams and electrical schematics
- •Developing validation and commissioning protocols and executing factory and site acceptance tests for constructed equipment or systems
- •Provide post-startup support for constructed equipment and systems
- •Review equipment and instrument specifications, construction drawings, plant layout, vendor proposals and provide feedback on needed changes
You’ll be accountable for meeting our compliance standards including FDA, OSHA and Abbott policies and procedures.
Job family
Engineering
Division
ANSC Nutrition Supply Chain
Location
United States > Altavista : Building 1
Work shift
Standard
Travel
No
Medical surveillance
No
Significant 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)
EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdf
EEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf