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Controls Engineer

gpac · Renton, WA

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Level
Engineer
Team
Controls
Degree
Required
Experience asked
3+ years
Industry
Industrial
Posted
24 days ago

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level controls role at gpac (industrial) in Renton, WA. You’ll own controls development from component selection and PLC/HMI programming through testing and customer-site start-up, working closely with engineering, manufacturing and project teams.

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

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026

Controls Engineer roles in Washington: typical posted base $104k–$140k.

Median of the low and high ends of 8 live postings that list pay, out of 11 controls engineer openings in Washington, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

Washington plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 10 other live controls postings in Washington.

Base pay
Not listed in this posting

Typical $104k–$140k, from 8 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
Less than usual (3+ vs 7+)

Similar roles usually ask 7+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ PLC 91%
  • ✓ Automation 91%
  • Robotics 45%
  • EHS / safety 36%
  • Team leadership 36%
  • Injection molding 27%

✓ = 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. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at gpac

    Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.

  2. 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. 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. 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. 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 gpacAs posted on their careers site.Show

Job Description

Controls Engineer - Industrial Automation

Take your designs from concept to commissioning. We’re seeking a Controls Engineer to develop the electrical and automation systems behind custom industrial equipment. You’ll own controls development from component selection and PLC/HMI programming through testing and customer-site start-up, working closely with engineering, manufacturing and project teams.

This role offers hands-on involvement throughout the equipment lifecycle and direct collaboration with customers. Approximately 40% travel, including international assignments, is required for start-up, commissioning and troubleshooting.

What You’ll Do

  • •Develop electrical and controls designs for custom machinery, including drawings and schematics in AutoCAD.
  • •Select electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, motion and controls components to meet equipment requirements.
  • •Program and configure PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, motor control centers and closed-loop servo systems.
  • •Test equipment, diagnose performance issues and implement programming, configuration or design changes.
  • •Lead equipment start-up and commissioning at customer facilities, verifying operation against project requirements.
  • •Coordinate with mechanical engineering, manufacturing, sales, purchasing and project management throughout design and production.
  • •Work with customers, suppliers and contractors to resolve technical questions and support operation and maintenance documentation.
Show full description ↓

What You’ll Bring

  • •Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related field.
  • •At least 3 years of controls or electromechanical design experience with industrial machinery, manufacturing systems or capital equipment.
  • •Experience with Rockwell and/or Siemens platforms, such as RSLogix/Studio 5000, FactoryTalk, Step7 or WinCC; familiarity with Wonderware InTouch is also relevant.
  • •Proficiency in AutoCAD and Microsoft Office, plus the ability to interpret electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, and hydraulic and pneumatic diagrams.
  • •Strong troubleshooting, project organization and communication skills.
  • •Equipment start-up and commissioning experience preferred.

Interested in seeing your engineering work become operating machinery? Apply to bring your controls expertise to custom equipment projects at customer facilities around the world.

Please submit a resume for consideration. Only those qualified applicants that provide a resume will be contacted. If you would like to learn more about Manufacturing, Production, or Operations opportunities, contact Kristie Ballestin with gpac at, submit your resume to

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