Control Engineer 3-Winchester, VA - Military Veterans

M.C. Dean · Winchester, VA

Level: Engineer
Team: Controls
Degree: Required
Experience asked: 3+ years
Industry: Industrial
Posted: Recently

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level controls role at M.C. Dean (industrial) in Winchester, VA. OProgram / Configure / troubleshoot PLCs, RTUs, and/or HMI systems.

They ask for: 3+ years · degree required
Tools it names: PLC, Automation, Tooling, AutoCAD

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026

Controls Engineer roles in Virginia: typical posted base $97k–$135k.

Median of the low and high ends of 5 live postings that list pay, out of 8 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 7 other live controls postings in Virginia.

Base pay: Not listed in this posting
Experience asked: Less than usual (3+ vs 7+)

Skills these teams ask for most

✓ Automation 50%
✓ PLC 50%
Robotics 38%
Root cause 38%
Team leadership 38%
Lean 25%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

It asks for 3+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

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 M.C. Dean
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.

Full description from M.C. DeanAs posted on their careers site.Show

oRequirements Analysis

oSubsystem Designs (CAD / Panels / Layouts / Wiring / SCADA Screens/ Hardware / Communications)

oPreparation of Specifications

oPerform QA/QC and technical reviews of designs

oPlans and Designs Procedures and Fixtures for Integrated Systems Factory Testing

oInternal/External Comment Resolution

✓Programming

oLead programming / configuration team efforts for complex automation and SCADA applications.

oProgram / Configure / troubleshoot PLCs, RTUs, and/or HMI systems.

✓Testing / Troubleshooting / Deployment / Commissioning

oAuthor testing / commissioning procedures

oPreparation of test reports

oOriginates test procedures

oCommissioning of deployed systems

oDevelopment of test fixtures and simulation devices

oPerform Factory and Field Testing

✓Maintenance

oPerform troubleshooting on service calls to existing and legacy system operators.

oPerform hardware / software upgrades and replacements on existing systems.

Managerial

Responsibilities

◆Estimates

oConducts any surveys, inspections, tours, etc. of client sites, as required.

oPrepares cost estimates and supporting documents for small projects.

oAssists senior engineers in preparation of Bids and Proposals cost estimates and supporting documentation.

oEvaluation and pricing of change orders

◆Personnel Management

oAssigns technical tasks and coordinates with entry-level engineers

oAssigns tasks and coordinates with Technical Staff

Field Experience

✓Experience in reading electrical and control schematics and plans
✓Experience in control system startup, configuration, and calibration
✓Experience in testing and troubleshooting control systems
✓Experience using basic electrical and machinist hand tools
✓Experience using testing, calibration, or industry-specific tools and software

Requirements

✓Proficient in programming languages such as ladder logic and structured text.
✓Strong problem-solving skills and ability to troubleshoot complex automation issues.
✓Proficient in designing, programming, and troubleshooting PLCs or DDCs from at least 1 of the following platforms:

oSiemens (SIMATIC)

Education / Experience

✓Master's degree in electrical engineering, automation engineering, or a related field 3 years of experience
✓Bachelors degree in electrical engineering, automation engineering, or a related field with 5 years of experience

Show full description ↓

Overview

About M.C. Dean

M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nations most mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. With over 7,000 employees, our capabilities span electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life safety, automation and controls, audiovisual, and IT systems. Headquarters in Tysons, Virginia, M.C. Dean delivers resilient, secure, and innovative power and technology solutions through engineering expertise and smart systems integration.

Why Join Us?

Our people are passionate about engineering innovation that improves lives and drives impactful change. Guided by our core valuesagility, expertise, and trustwe foster a collaborative and forward-thinking work environment. At M.C. Dean, we are committed to building the next generation of technical leaders in electrical, engineering, and cybersecurity industries.

Job Overview

Control Engineer s are responsible for designing, developing, installing, and maintaining equipment used to monitor and control systems, machinery, and processes. Control Engineers work in various applications including industrial controls, cybersecurity, building automation, water / wastewater, power controls and protection, energy management, and transportation systems.?They're?technical experts in areas such as advanced process control, instrumentation, distributed control systems, PLCs, and SCADA systems. Control engineers use these skills to design and implement solutions to solve our customer's most complex needs.

Design / Engineering

•Originates design documents for small projects and in support of large programs.

oNarrative Design Documents

Tools / Software

•Experience in computer networks
•Experience in CAD/CAE Software (AutoCAD / EPLAN)
•Standard Office Software (Microsoft Word, Excel, etc.)

oAllen-Bradley (Rockwell Automation)(Plant Pax preferred)

oSchneider Electric (Modicon)

oTridium Niagara Framework

oABB (AC500, AC800M)

oOmron

oKMC Controls

oJohnson Controls Metasys

oHoneywell WEBS

oJohnson Control FX

oSiemens Desigo/Apogee

oDistech Controls

oSchweitzer Engineering Laboratories

oGE Intelligent Platforms

+Proficient in designing, programming, and troubleshooting SCADA solutions from at least 1 of the following platforms:

oAVEVA (formerly Wonderware) InTouch, System Platform

oIgnition by Inductive Automation

oGE Digital (iFIX, CIMPLICITY)

oSiemens WinCC

oRockwell Automation FactoryTalk View

oAVEVA (formerly Schneider Electric) Citect SCADA

oIntellution FIX32/HMI32 (Historical) by GE Digital

oVTScada by Trihedral Engineering Limited

oAVEVA (OSIsoft PI) Historian

Preferred Licenses / Certifications

+Design Build Institute of America (DBIA)
+Certified SCADA Security Architect (CSSA)
+Certified Automation Professional (CAP)
+Engineer in Training (EIT) In relevant in field
+Certification in one or more PLC / Automation Platform, such as: Schneider, Rockwell, Siemens, Niagara, etc.
+Certification in one or more SCADA platform, such as: AVEVA, Rockwell, Iconics, Ignition, etc.

Abilities

•Exposure to computer screens for an extended period of time.
•Sitting for extended periods of time.
•Reach by extending hands or arms in any direction.
•Have finger dexterity in order to manipulate objects with fingers rather than whole hands or arms, for example, using a keyboard.
•Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
•Communicate information and ideas in speaking so othe