Principal Controls Engineer

Zohorecruit; Centennial (CO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company-sponsored training

PPE reimbursement

Medical, vision and dental coverage

401(k) with company match

Quarterly bonus & referral bonuses

Job summary

Atlas OT is seeking a Principal Controls Engineer to lead the technical direction for integrated automation and controls solutions across multiple industries. You will serve as the final technical authority on RTU, PLC, flow computer, SCADA, and DCS programs, shaping how Atlas OT designs, tests, and deploys OT at scale.

You will own the company’s engineering standards and long-range technology roadmap, guiding engineers from Associate to Lead and driving quality, safety, and profitability across

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering; advanced credentials preferred (Master’s/PE/ISA CAP).
• 20,000+ project hours across multi-site programs with technical oversight.
• Experience reviewing control narratives, P&IDs, SIS design.

Responsibilities

• Define and own a 5-year OT technology roadmap.
• Set global programming standards and architect multi-platform systems.
• Lead advanced process control and alarm rationalization across projects.
• Mentor engineers and ensure adherence to Atlas OT standards.
• Engage in business development and strategic pursuits.

Skills

IEC 61131-3 languages

Control systems architecture

UL/NEC/ISA/IEC standards

ERP/MES integration

MQTT/cloud technologies

Python/C#/VBA scripting

OT networks security (IEC 62443)

Process control optimization

Technical documentation

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Master’s degree / ISA CAP / PE (Control Systems)

Tools

ERP/MES integration

MQTT

Python

C#

VBA

Job description

Centennial, United States | Posted on 10/07/2026

As a Principal Controls Engineerat Atlas OT, you will set the technical direction for integrated automation andcontrols solutions across a wide range of industries, including energy,manufacturing, food and beverage, water/wastewater, oil and gas, renewables,and more. You will serve as the final technical authority on complex programsinvolving RTU, PLC, flow computer, SCADA, and DCS systems—shaping how Atlas OTdesigns, programs, procures, tests, and deploys Operational Technology atscale.

This role owns the company’sengineering standards and long-range technology roadmap. You will guide theengineering team from Associate through Lead levels, resolve the most difficulttechnical challenges, and partner with leadership on business development andstrategic pursuits. You’ll apply deep expertise across electrical,instrumentation, and controls engineering to support full-servicesolutions—including panel design, FAT testing, and managed SCADA services—whileprotecting quality, safety, and profitability.

This is more than a senior engineering role—it is atechnical leadership and authority position for an engineer ready to definestandards, mentor teams, win strategic accounts, and deliver automationexcellence on a global scale.

Duties

• Define and own Atlas OT’s ongoing 5-year technology roadmap and long-range Operational Technology strategy
  
• Serve as the final technical authority on complex, multi-platform programs and the escalation point for high-stakes technical disputes and major failures
  
• Establish, approve, and govern global code libraries and internal programming standards (IEC 61131-3), ensuring consistent adoption across all engineering levels
  
• Architect and approve secure OT network designs, including IDMZ, firewalls, and compliance with IEC 62443 cybersecurity standards
  
• Set and enforce engineering quality standards; review and approve work from Associate Engineers through Lead Engineers and guide their adherence to established standards
  
• Lead advanced process control, alarm rationalization, and safety system optimization across the project portfolio
  
• Partner with Sales and Project Management to estimate project hours and bills of materials (BOMs) for strategic and high-complexity pursuits
  
• Play a key role in business development presentations to win strategic accounts
  
• Approve critical technical deliverables such as functional specifications, programming logic, and final system designs
  
• Design and consult on solutions that span multiple industries (for example, Oil & Gas and Food & Beverage) and represent Atlas OT as a recognized industry authority
  
• Mentor and develop engineers across the team, building technical capability and reinforcing Atlas OT standards and values
  
• Uphold and continuously improve quality assurance processes, ensuring compliance with industry and company standards
  

Requirements

Skills Mastery

• Expert in all five IEC 61131-3 programming languages, with ownership and governance of internal code libraries and template standards
  
• Proven ability to architect, approve, and direct complex, multi-platform control systems across multiple sites and industries
  
• Deep knowledge of UL, NEC, ISA, and IEC standards; expertise in process safety and functional safety systems
  
• Proficiency with ERP/MES integration, cloud technologies (MQTT), and scripting (Python, C#, VBA)
  
• Deep experience designing and securing OT networks to industry standards (IEC 62443)
  
• Leadership in advanced process control and alarm rationalization strategy
  
• Strong attention to detail and analytical thinking, with the ability to set the standard for clear and accurate technical documentation
  
• Skilled in quality management, standards governance, and cross-functional collaboration
  
• High-level consulting, negotiation, and executive communication skills
  

Work Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineeringrequired; advanced credentials preferred (Master’s degree, ISA CAP, PE License– Control Systems, or recognized industry Fellow status)
  
• Minimum of 20,000 project hourslogged, including multi-site system architecture and technical oversight ofmajor programs (10+ years experience)
  
• Prior experience developing andreviewing control narratives, P&IDs, and safety instrumented systems (SIS)
  
• Demonstrated industry authoritypreferred (e.g., published white papers, conference speaking, or ISA/IEEEcommittee membership)
  
• Experience mentoring engineersand building a knowledge-sharing culture across the team
  
• Must possess a valid driver’slicense and be willing to travel as needed
  
• Drug-free workplace compliancerequired
  

Atlas OTemployees are the best, and as such get the best benefits. Our totalcompensation plan provides pay above average for our industry asvalidated by independent third parties. We also provide manyopportunities for bonus compensation for those willing to put inextra hours, refer friends and new clients.

• Company sponsoredtraining and certifications
  
• PPE Reimbursement Program
  
• $50/month CellPhone Reimbursement
  
• Paid Time off forall Federal Holidays (11 total)
  
• 120 hours / year ofaccrued Paid Time Off (inclusive of 10 Vacation and 5 sick days)
  
• Merit Based Rewardsand Bonuses such as
  
• Quarterly Bonus
  
• Employee recognition
  
• New EmployeeReferral Bonus
  
• Pick your taxadvantage bonus - elect to get tax-free contributions toeducation expenses such as tuition assistance, dependent care,and retirement.
  
• Large groupmedical, vision and dental coverage with:
  
• 75% ofemployee's premium covered by Atlas OT
  
• 50% of employee's+ dependent premium if eligible covered by Atlas OT
  
• For HSA eligibleplans, employer HSA contribution equal to employeecontribution up to federally allowable limits
  
• 401(k) RetirementSavings Plan with employer contributions matching employeecontributions up to 5% or federally allowable limits.