Controls Engineer I (Irvine, CA)

Enterprise Automation, A Tetra Tech Company; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Enterprise Automation and Digital Systems Group, a Tetra Tech company, seeks an entry‑level Controls Engineer I to design, implement, test, commission, and maintain automation systems for industrial clients. You will work on PLC, HMI, SCADA projects, and IT/OT networks, with travel to client sites as needed.

You will join an in‑office Irvine team, five days a week, and participate in EA University onboarding plus ongoing technical training to build a strong controls foundation and career growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in engineering is required.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work in a team.
• Proficiency with Word and Excel.
• Interest in process control, automation, systems integration, and industrial technology.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and follow through on responsibilities.
• Commitment to quality and safety in engineering work.
• Willingness to travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement PLC, HMI, and OIT programs.
• Support development, configuration, and implementation of SCADA systems.
• Design IT/OT network infrastructure.
• Assist in low-voltage control panel design.
• Contribute to consulting, design, implementation, testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
• Ensure project execution aligns with engineering practices and standards.
• Manage multiple projects and meet schedules and budgets.
• Support risk management and safe work practices.
• Communicate proactively with team, PMs, and management.
• Participate in client site visits, testing, startup, commissioning, and troubleshooting.
• Develop project documentation, drawings, programming materials, and testing records.
• Engage in EA University onboarding and ongoing training.
• Support continuous improvement and collaborative team environment.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI development

SCADA development

IT/OT infrastructure

Industrial networking

Low-voltage panel design

SQL & databases

Virtualized systems

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Education

Bachelor of Science in engineering

Chemical, electrical, mechanical, controls, automation engineering preferred

Tools

SCADA software

HMI software

SCADA/integration tooling

Job description

Who are you?

You are an early-career engineer who is curious, collaborative, and eager to build a strong technical foundation in controls, automation, and systems integration. You take ownership of your work, communicate clearly, and approach challenges with a willingness to learn. You are comfortable working in a team environment, contributing to multiple projects, and developing practical engineering solutions for industrial clients. You care about quality, safety, organization, and following through on your commitments. You are motivated to grow your technical skills through hands-on project experience, formal training, and ongoing professional development.

What is the role?

We’re seeking Controls Engineer I candidates to support the design, implementation, testing, commissioning, and maintenance of automation and control systems. This is an entry-level opportunity for engineers who want to develop expertise in PLC and HMI programming, SCADA systems, industrial networking, low-voltage control panels, databases, and IT/OT infrastructure.

Project-based engineering services include consulting, design, implementation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and maintenance for clients in the water and wastewater, chemical, life sciences, and manufacturing industries. Engineers generally support one to four active projects at a time, with project sizes ranging from approximately $50,000 to $3 million and project durations ranging from one month to three years.

This is an in-office position with an expectation of working in the office five days per week in our Irvine, California, location. The role may also include travel to client sites and other business locations as needed.

What do you get?

This role provides the opportunity to build a broad technical foundation while working on meaningful automation and controls projects in complex industrial environments. You’ll gain hands-on experience with systems that monitor and control critical equipment and processes, while learning from experienced engineers and technical leaders.

You’ll participate in EA University, our comprehensive five-week paid onboarding program, along with ongoing certification and technical training. These programs are designed to help you develop practical engineering skills, understand our project methodology, and build a strong foundation for long-term growth.

You’ll also have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects involving medium-to-large-scale SCADA applications. Depending on the project, systems may include virtualized computers, layered industrial networks, field controllers, redundant data servers, and data connections to business systems.

Salary and Benefits

Benefits: Fully employer-paid healthcare coverage options, 401(k) with up to a 3% employer match, Discounted employee stock purchase opportunities, and a minimum of 23 days of paid time off annually.

What will you do?

• Design and implement PLC, HMI, and OIT programs.
• Support the development, configuration, and implementation of SCADA systems.
• Design and implement IT/OT network infrastructure.
• Support the design and development of low-voltage control panels.
• Contribute to engineering services including consulting, design, implementation, testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
• Ensure project execution aligns with company engineering practices, quality methodologies, and documentation standards.
• Work on multiple projects simultaneously while meeting project schedules, budgets, and technical requirements.
• Support project risk management and advocate for safe work practices throughout all project phases.
• Communicate proactively and effectively with team members, project managers, and management.
• Participate in client site visits, system testing, startup, commissioning, and troubleshooting activities as needed.
• Develop and maintain project documentation, drawings, programming materials, and testing records.
• Participate in the five-week paid EA University onboarding program and ongoing technical and certification training.
• Support continuous improvement and contribute to a collaborative, accountability-driven team environment.

What do you need to bring?

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering is required.
• Chemical, electrical, mechanical, controls, automation, or a related engineering discipline is preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Strong interest in process control, automation, systems integration, and industrial technology.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and follow through on assigned responsibilities.
• Commitment to maintaining high standards of quality and safety in all engineering work.
• Ability to work an average of 40-45 hours per week, including travel for client site work or other business purposes.
• Willingness to learn and develop skills in the following areas:
• PLC programming
• HMI and SCADA development
• Industrial networking and IT/OT infrastructure
• Low-voltage control panel design
• SQL and database systems
• Virtualized systems
• Electrical and instrumentation systems
• Testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting

Qualities we care about

• Accountability: You take ownership of your commitments and responsibilities, manage them realistically, and follow through on your promises.
• Teamwork: You are a good listener, proactively build collaborative relationships, and look for opportunities to support your teammates.
• Growth mindset: You welcome challenges, learn from mistakes, and actively seek opportunities for personal and professional development.
• Quality: You take pride in producing accurate, organized, reliable, and well‑documented work.
• Safety: You understand the importance of safe engineering and field practices and consistently follow established procedures.

Who are we?

Enterprise Automation and Digital Systems Group, a Tetra Tech company, is a leading professional services firm specializing in automation consulting and systems integration.

We serve a variety of process-driven industries, including water and wastewater, oil and gas, life sciences, materials handling, energy, chemical, and manufacturing.

As a premier professional services firm, building our business is synonymous with investing in our team—an investment that begins long before onboarding. We invest in recruiting to ensure we hire the right people and maximize collaboration across the team. On your first day, you’ll be personally welcomed by the Leadership Team and begin our structured training program. After onboarding, employee development plans help keep everyone accountable while pursuing continuous improvement.

In an average week, our team members participate in company-sponsored fitness programs, catered lunch‑and‑learns, and opportunities to stay mentally, socially, and physically active. Our culture has been recognized as one of Orange County’s best places to work, with company culture awards dating back to 2018.

Locations: Irvine, California office; in-office five days per week

Salary range: $85,000-$90,000

Administrative info

Salary Range: $85,000-$90,000 annually

Number of openings: 2

Desired Start Date: July 5, 2027

Location Office: Irvine, CA

Department: Engineering

EEO Type: Technical

Job Industry: Engineering

Job Function: Design