Control Systems Engineer

HDR; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Control Systems Engineer to support its global Building Engineering Services Group in Charlotte, NC. You will design complex industrial control and SCADA systems, create biddable construction documents, and coordinate with multidisciplinary teams on projects across multiple sectors.

The role emphasizes field activities, design reviews, instrument selection, and commissioning. HDR offers an employee-owned culture and opportunities for growth within the control systems program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Computer Engineering or related field.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
• Active participation in our employee-owned culture is a must.
• Minimum of 5 years applicable experience.

Responsibilities

• Travel to client facilities to assess and document current control systems.
• Participate in design review and planning meetings with the client.
• Develop preliminary engineering reports and studies for control system improvements.
• Interface with electrical and process engineers to coordinate network, power, control, and instrumentation.
• Assist with selection and specification of process instrumentation, control panels, and network equipment.
• Develop biddable and technically accurate SCADA/I&C construction documents (P&IDs, networks, layouts, wiring diagrams).
• Utilize CAD software (AutoCAD) to develop and review construction documents.
• Assist with system testing and commissioning activities.

Skills

Control systems design

SCADA systems design

Industrial network design

Telemetry knowledge

ICS cybersecurity

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Computer Engineering or related field

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

AutoCAD

Microsoft Office

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we work to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe building engineering is more than systems and structures, it’s about powering progress and enabling innovation. As part of HDR’s Building Engineering Services Group, you’ll help design the critical infrastructure that supports the digital age and shapes the spaces where people work, connect, and thrive. From high-performance data centers driving the future of AI to dynamic commercial environments, your work will directly support technological advancement, sustainability, and human experience. We bring together mechanical, electrical, structural, and civil engineering experts to solve complex design challenges with precision, creativity, and collaboration. Whether you're optimizing energy efficiency, integrating resilient systems, or engineering the backbone of next-generation facilities, your contributions will help define the future of the built environment. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead innovation, engineer impact, and build a legacy of excellence.

HDR is looking for a Control Systems Engineer to support our global Control Systems practice which includes full-service capabilities. Our practice provides assessment, planning, design, automation programming/configuration, testing & commissioning, and maintenance for control systems in multiple industries. The primary role of this position is to support the planning, design, and implementation of automated industrial control systems in coordination with clients and multidiscipline teams to develop solutions for construction and implementation in multiple market sectors including, food & beverage; general industrial; oil & gas; logistics, manufacturing; mining; transportation; and water/wastewater. In this role, the Control Systems Engineer will work under the direction of a Senior Control Systems Engineer to design complex industrial control and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, assisting with the evaluation and selection of equipment and system components. They will be responsible for creating biddable and technically accurate construction documents including drawings and specifications. They must be self-motivated with an initiative to deliver high quality, technically excellent control system designs.

Primary responsibilities and duties include

• Travel to client facilities to participate in field activities to assess and document the current state of installed control systems
• Participate in design review and planning meetings with the client
• Participate in the development of preliminary engineering reports and studies focused on recommending and developing solutions for control system improvements
• Interface with electrical and process engineers to coordinate design requirements for network, power, control, and instrumentation
• Assist with the selection and specification of process instrumentation, control panels, and network equipment.
• Assist with the development of biddable and technically accurate SCADA / I&C construction documents including P&IDs, network architecture diagrams, control panel layouts and wiring diagrams, installation details, loop drawings, and technical specifications
• Utilize CADD software including AutoDesk AutoCAD products to develop and review construction documents
• Assist with system testing and commissioning activities

Growth opportunities

• Exposure to multiple market sectors and core services of our global control systems program
• Training and development to build skillset to serve as market sector and core service subject matter expert (SME)
• Serve as Engineer of Record in responsible charge for the development of biddable and technically accurate control system construction documents
• Active participation in industry professional societies, trade shows, and conferences
• Advancement to Senior Control Systems Engineer

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous work experience with an A&E / Consulting Engineering firm
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience designing Control Systems, including schematics and loops
• Network design experience for industrial control or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems
• Knowledge of remote site telemetry communications
• Knowledge of cybersecurity considerations for industrial control or SCADA systems
• Experience in water/wastewater a plus
• Experience in building management/building automation a plus
• Excellent oral and written communication and documentation skills
• Preference will be given to local candidates

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related field.
• Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
• A minimum of 5 years applicable experience

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Primary Location: United States-North Carolina-Charlotte | Other Locations: United States-North Carolina-Raleigh, United States-North Carolina-Winston-Salem, United States-Georgia-Atlanta | Industry: Building Engineering | Schedule: Full-time | Employee Status: Regular | BusinessClass: Control Systems | Job Posting: Oct 13, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.