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Controls Engineer (m/w/d)

Avantor Sciences · Carpinteria, CA

Level
Engineer
Team
Controls
Base pay
$69k–$111k
Degree
Required
Experience asked
3+ years
Industry
Industrial
Posted
3 days ago

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level controls role at Avantor Sciences (industrial) in Carpinteria, CA. PE license, PMP certificate, or other relevant certifications desirable.

They ask for
3+ years · degree required
Tools it names
PLC, SolidWorks
Base pay
$69k–$111k

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

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

Controls Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $124k–$179k. This one lists $69k–$111k.

Median of the low and high ends of 64 live postings that list pay, out of 120 controls engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

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

How this role compares

Against 119 other live controls postings in California.

Base pay
About 40% below similar roles

Typical $123k–$179k, from 61 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
Less than usual (3+ vs 5+)

Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • Automation 68%
  • ✓ PLC 46%
  • Robotics 44%
  • Python 35%
  • Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 34%

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

Stands out: this posting asks for SolidWorks, Team leadership, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with 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

Lifts up to 50 lbs

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 Avantor Sciences

    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 Avantor SciencesAs posted on their careers site.Show

Qualifications

  • ✓Proficiency of LabView and other data acquisition and process programs desirable.
  • ✓Strong focus on safety, communication of technical details and project progress, attention to detail, 2D & 3D CAD (DraftSight/Solidworks).
  • ✓Technical document reading and writing ability, time and budget management skills (as part of a larger set of project management skills).
  • ✓Data-driven decision making skills, experience with metrology and measurement, engineering calculations, communication of technical details and project progress.
  • ✓Experienced with Microsoft Office software.
  • ✓Ability to manage multiple concurrent assignments.
  • ✓Ability to work in a moderately noisy environment that may not always be climate-controlled.
  • ✓Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs.
  • ✓Ability to work effectively in both a field/hands-on setting and at a desk when needed.
Show full description ↓

The Opportunity

Avantor is looking for a Controls Engineer to work closely with R&D, Manufacturing, Reliability & Maintenance Engineering, and Process Engineering to design, build, install, and support control system equipment and upgrades to support NuSil's needs.

The Controls Engineer will have a reasonably strong understanding of general aspects of the job functions noted below. They will typically work under the supervision of a Group Leader, or occasionally other senior personnel depending on the task at hand.

This is a full-time onsite position based out of our Carpinteria, CA location.

Must have ability to travel as needed to other locations (primarily Bakersfield, CA and Irving, TX), possibly 5-10%.

How you will thrive and create an impact

  • •Design electrical schematics, physical electrical enclosure layouts, conduit runs, and PLC/HMI code for new or upgraded equipment, following applicable NFPA, NEC, and other standards.
  • •Designs equipment for regular use in support of NuSil's production needs. This can include electrical, instrumentation, and controls system design, as well as possibly elements of mechanical design.
  • •Coordinates and works with third-party vendors and contractors to facilitate and direct equipment builds and installations.
  • •Plan projects that will operate in the short term, medium term and long term, balancing timelines and equipment downtime to minimize disruption to Manufacturing schedule.
  • •Write technical documents to communicate preventative maintenance, operating instructions, control narratives, capital project proposals, etc.
  • •Create or modify technical drawings/models with CAD software in order to properly document equipment and systems.
  • •Assists other engineers to create, use, and determine feasibility of engineering designs to fabricate necessary parts for NuSil equipment.
  • •Source and order necessary parts, raw materials, and tools required for projects.
  • •Assist with troubleshooting equipment when necessary, working closely with Reliability & Maintenance staff.
  • •Assist other personnel with troubleshooting electrical and control system problems on installed equipment.

What we're looking for

  • •Education:
  • •Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related discipline required (Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Computer Science preferred); advanced degrees desirable.
  • •Experience:
  • •1 to 3 years of relevant experience.
  • •PLC and HMI Programming experience.
  • •Knowledge of relevant NFPA 70/70E standards, NEC, etc.
  • •Understanding of electrical diagrams/schematics.
  • •Electrical troubleshooting using multimeters, oscilloscopes, etc.
  • •Knowledge of 1- and 3-phase AC circuit design & principles, DC circuit design & principles, instrument selection, etc.
  • •Certification/s:
  • •PE license, PMP certificate, or other relevant certifications desirable.
  • •Additional

EEO Statement

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law.

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