Controls Engineer
Gerdau · Petersburg, VA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Metals
- Posted
- 20 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at Gerdau (metals) in Petersburg, VA. , you'll work on a highly automated rolling mill environment, leading projects that improve equipment reliability, production throughput, and operational performance.
- They ask for
- 3+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- PLC, Automation
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.
Median of the low and high ends of 4 live postings that list pay, out of 16 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 15 other live controls postings in Virginia.
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (3+ vs 6+)
Similar roles usually ask 6+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 69%
- ✓ PLC 56%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 31%
- Team leadership 31%
- Robotics 25%
- Tooling 25%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention 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 Gerdau
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find 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.
- 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: Gerdau in Petersburg
8 other open roles at this site.
- Maintenance Reliability Engineer · Reliability
- Process Improvement Engineer - Rolling Operations · Lean / CI
- Process Engineer - Melt Shop · Process
- Industrial Mechanic - Melt Shop · Reliability · Technician
- Industrial Maintenance Electrician · Reliability · Technician
- Industrial Electrician - Rolling Mill · Reliability · Technician
Full description from GerdauAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
What You'll Do
- ◆Design, program, modify, and troubleshoot PLC-based control systems
- ◆Support and improve HMI applications used by production and maintenance teams
- ◆Lead automation projects that improve reliability, safety, and productivity
- ◆Troubleshoot electrical, controls, networking, and communication issues
- ◆Develop and implement process improvements that reduce downtime and increase throughput
- ◆Analyze equipment performance and recommend automation improvements
- ◆Participate in major outages, capital projects, and continuous improvement initiatives
- ◆Collaborate with operators, maintenance personnel, and leadership teams to solve complex operational challenges
What We're Looking For
Required
- ✓Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Engineering Technology, or equivalent automation experience
- ✓3+ years of manufacturing automation or controls experience
- ✓Experience programming and troubleshooting PLC systems
- ✓Strong understanding of industrial electrical systems, motors, drives, and control circuits
- ✓Ability to troubleshoot automation, communication, and HMI-related issues
- ✓Strong communication and problem-solving skills
- ✓Authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
At Gerdau, we empower our people to grow, thrive, and make a difference—together. With a culture built on trust and teamwork, we offer meaningful work, continuous development, and opportunities to shape your future. We invite you to come work with us, where your contributions are valued, your voice is heard, and your career is forged with purpose
Controls Engineer - Level I
Join Gerdau and help drive the future of steel manufacturing through automation, controls, and process improvement. In this role, you'll work on a highly automated rolling mill environment, leading projects that improve equipment reliability, production throughput, and operational performance.
This is an opportunity to own meaningful automation initiatives while working alongside operations, maintenance, and engineering teams in a hands-on manufacturing environment.
Why Join Gerdau?
- •Annual bonus opportunity
- •401(k) with 100% company match up to 6%
- •Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting on day one
- •Tuition reimbursement
- •Paid parental leave
- •Career development and advancement opportunities
Preferred
- +Rockwell Automation or Siemens PLC experience
- +HMI development experience
- +Industrial networking experience
- +Experience with drives, instrumentation, and process automation
- +Experience in steel, metals, paper, chemical, mining, or other heavy manufacturing environments
Technologies You May Work With
- •Allen-Bradley / Rockwell PLCs
- •Siemens S7 / TIA Portal
- •Ignition
- •GE Cimplicity
- •Industrial Ethernet Networks
- •ABB Drives
- •IBA Process Data Systems
The Impact You'll Make
You will play a key role in improving automation reliability, reducing downtime, increasing production efficiency, and supporting the long-term modernization of one of North America's leading steel manufacturers.
Keywords: BSEE, Electrical Engineer, Automation Engine er, Controls Engineer, Process Engineer, automation, programming, control systems, PLC, HMI, SCADA, hydraulics, pneumatics, AC/CD, drives, motors, steel, metals, manufacturing
If you are vision-impaired or have some other disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act / Accessible Canada Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to applying for employment at Gerdau, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team at (866)-788-2798 or recruiting@gerdau.com