The Principal Controls Engineer is responsible for owning the deployment integrity, performance, and continuous improvement of standardized automation solutions across the project portfolio. This role serves as the technical authority for controls system implementation, ensuring adherence to defined architectures, standards, and configuration models.

The position requires deep expertise in controls engineering, system integration, and commissioning, with accountability for system performance during startup and stabilization. The Principal Controls Engineer drives standardization, ensures consistency across deployments, and operates as the primary escalation point for complex technical issues.

This role is responsible for capturing field feedback, enforcing disciplined implementation practices, and enabling engineering teams through mentorship, training, and governance of standards adoption.

Responsibilities

• Own deployment integrity of standardized controls solutions
• Enforce adherence to approved architectures and standards
• Ensure zero unauthorized deviation from defined standards
• Govern controlled exception processes
• Drive configuration-based implementation within defined boundaries
• Eliminate uncontrolled customization
• Own system performance during startup, tuning, and stabilization
• Serve as primary escalation point for high-risk systems
• Ensure throughput, reliability, and stability targets are met
• Provide advanced troubleshooting support
• Capture field feedback and translate into actionable improvements
• Quantify performance and deployment impacts
• Ensure proper system integration across WCS, mechanical, and devices
• Validate integration fidelity and escalate gaps
• Drive standards adoption across engineering teams
• Provide mentorship and training
• Review system designs and ensure quality implementations
• Support commissioning and complex system execution

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Expert PLC programming knowledge (Rockwell required)
• Advanced industrial network knowledge
• Strong troubleshooting capability (hardware and software)
• Commissioning and tuning expertise
• System integration expertise
• Ability to enforce standards across teams
• Influence without direct authority
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
• 10+ years of industrial controls engineering experience
• Experience with PLC programming, integration, and commissioning
• Experience supporting large-scale or multi-site deployments

Travel Requirements

Travel required to support commissioning and escalation activities

 The base salary range for this role is $133,200 to $199,800.  This base salary range represents the low and high end of the base salary range for this position. Actual base salary offered will vary based on various factors including but not limited to location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and performance.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work expected of a person assigned to this position. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills and/or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. Employees may be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor.

It is the policy of FORTNA and its affiliated companies to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, citizenship status (if authorized to work in the U.S.), or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, FORTNA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.