Principal Control Systems Engineer

Stanley Consultants, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Parental leave

Tuition assistance

Health insurance

401K match

Professional development

Job summary

Stanley Consultants in Chicago, IL is seeking a Principal Control Systems Engineer to serve as a technical leader with deep expertise in process instrumentation and control systems. The role guides complex projects from concept through commissioning, delivering architectures for DCS/PLC, and ensuring adherence to industry standards.

You will mentor teams, liaise with clients, develop technical documents, and contribute to strategic planning, pricing, and bid support across utilities, municipal

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering from ABET-accredited university.
• PE license required.
• Minimum 12 years of progressive experience in control systems engineering.
• Extensive experience with Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) design, implementation, and commissioning.
• Experience with municipal, industrial, and power generation control systems applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex control systems engineering assignments and designs.
• Provide technical leadership for DCS/PLC projects across industries.
• Coordinate client communications and project planning.
• Support bids, proposals, and pricing for control systems.
• Ensure adherence to QA/QC and regulatory standards.

Skills

Control systems engineering

DCS/PLC design

Team leadership

Client communications

Analytical skills

Education

ABET-accredited BSEE

PE license

Tools

HMI/SCADA systems

PLC/DCS programming platforms

Job description

life insurance, parental leave, paid time off, paid holidays, tuition assistance, 401(k)

Sep 25, 2026

Stanley Consultants is an award-winning and industry-leading global consulting engineering firm, with an unmatched commitment to culture, values, and ethics. We are dedicated to client experience and solve the most complex challenges to create a sustainable, connected, and enriched world for all. As the world changes, Stanley strategically evolves with it, integrating the latest technology, innovation, and resiliency practices.

With over a century of experience serving the energy, federal government, transportation, and water sectors, we have helped improve lives and shape the infrastructure systems that connect us. As an employee-owned organization with a People First approach, we stand apart from other engineering consulting and services firms. At Stanley, your voice counts, your growth matters, and your success is our success.

Stanley Consultants offers flexible work options, competitive pay and great benefits, a strong sense of community, and the chance to build a meaningful, long-term career!

Job title - Principal Control Systems Engineer

Locations - Austin, TX | Chicago, IL | Denver, CO (Centennial) | Des Moines, IA | Minneapolis, MN | or Muscatine, IA

Job type - Hybrid

Requisition ID - 11374

Stanley Consultants is seeking a Principal Control Systems Engineer to serve as a technical specialist and leader with deep expertise in process instrumentation and control systems. This role requires comprehensive understanding of advanced control theories, concepts, and principles to lead complex projects and solve unique technical challenges. The Principal Engineer will provide strategic direction for control systems design across power plants, microgrid control systems, municipal water/wastewater systems, industrial automation systems, and combined heat and power (CHP) systems for utilities, universities, campuses, and industrial facilities.

What You Will Be Doing

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Design

• Interpret, organize, execute, and coordinate complex control systems engineering assignments, often dealing with unique problems that have significant project impact
• Lead technical responsibility for evaluation of existing systems and design of plant control and instrumentation systems for diverse industrial applications including Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
• Develop innovative concepts and approaches for control system architectures and recommend significant design changes to enhance project outcomes and efficiency
• Determine client requirements and develop comprehensive technical documents including reports, specifications, drawings, instructions, P&IDs, I/O lists, instrument data sheets, cable schedules, procurement specifications, logic and SAMA diagrams
• Evaluate the need for control system design changes and make appropriate recommendations based on technical analysis and project requirements
• Sign and seal control systems engineering plans, documents, and reports in accordance with professional standards and regulatory requirements
• Maintain adherence to Stanley Consultants quality assurance and quality control standards

Client Relations & Project Management

• Serve as primary technical controls liaison with clients on projects, ensuring clear communication and coordination of control systems efforts to meet project objectives and client expectations
• Plan, organize, and recommend programs and resources to meet objectives of the control systems technical organization
• Participate in bid evaluation, construction support, and work closely with site engineering groups during installation and commissioning of designed control systems
• Consult with construction personnel to discuss design constructability related to field conditions, sequencing, and scheduling of construction activities
• Lead client communications and attend both onsite and offsite meetings to discuss project specifics, technical requirements, and system performance

Business Development & Strategic Planning

• Assist in pricing, estimating, and scoping for proposed control systems projects to ensure competitive positioning aligned with market demands and company capabilities
• Development of comprehensive proposal documents for new projects including detailed scope of work and accurate fee estimating
• Identify opportunities for enhanced control system solutions that provide value to clients and expand business opportunities

Required Qualifications

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from an ABET accredited university
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) required
• Minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in control systems engineering
• Extensive experience with Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) design, implementation, and commissioning
• Demonstrated track record of successfully leading complex control systems projects from concept through commissioning
• Experience with municipal, industrial, and power generation control systems applications

Technical Competencies

• Deep understanding of process instrumentation, control theory, and automation principles
• Proficiency with control system design software, PLC/DCS programming platforms, and HMI/SCADA systems
• Comprehensive knowledge of industry standards including ISA, IEC, NFPA, and NEC as applicable to control systems
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for addressing unique technical challenges
• Demonstrated understanding of Stanley Consultants project management procedures

Professional Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences
• Strong leadership capabilities with experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams
• Proven ability to build and maintain client relationships
• Effective at working collaboratively in team environments while also providing independent technical leadership
• Strong business acumen including proposal development, cost estimating, and strategic planning

What we offer

• Member-Owned. Member-ownership is at the heart of our culture, aligning client satisfaction, company performance, and personal reward.
• Paid Time Away. Stanley Consultants offers numerous paid holidays, generous paid time off (PTO), parental leave, and professional development leave.
• Health Insurance. We provide a comprehensive insurance package including medical, dental, vision, FSA, HSA, Doctor On Demand, wellness reimbursement, and mental health resources.
• Financial Health. We offer life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, identity theft protection, and many other benefits.
• Professional Growth. When your skills grow, so do we, which is why we offer tuition assistance, professional society membership, and more.
• Financial Rewards. We share our prosperity with members through company stock ownership, a generous 401K match, incentive compensation, and profit-sharing contributions to retirement 401K plans.

Work-Life Balance

We realize there's more to life than just work. We help you meet the demands of work, family and personal life through several flexible options.

Learn more about Stanley Consultants in this short video: Working at Stanley Consultants

Stanley Consultants does not welcome unsolicited resumes from staffing and recruiting agencies. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to Stanley Consultants, including but not limited to resumes submitted directly to Stanley Consultants members, or any of our representatives, will be deemed the property of Stanley Consultants.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35 (c)

Salary range for IL, CO, MN locations

Stanley Consultants is committed to maintaining transparency in our hiring process, including providing information about compensation. The starting salary for the successful candidate in this position is competitive and will be determined by the selected candidate's qualifications and experience, geographic location, internal equity, company policy and practices. In compliance with pay transparency laws, pay ranges are disclosed for positions and locations where required.