Principal, Process Controls Engineer

BW Design Group; Oak Brook (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Design Group is seeking a Principal Process Controls Engineer to lead advanced automation projects for manufacturing clients. You will collaborate with senior engineers, technical specialists, and clients to deliver innovative control system solutions and set engineering standards.

You will mentor teams, drive project execution from concept through startup, and ensure quality, schedule, and cost targets while maintaining regulatory and safety compliance.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive process controls engineering experience with leadership and client-facing responsibilities in manufacturing environments.
• Mastery of FactoryTalk Batch, Rockwell PlantPAx, and ISA-88 batch process control standards.
• Substantial experience with process instrumentation, industrial networking, PLC/SCADA architectures, and integration with process systems.
• Demonstrated history of leading teams in the successful delivery of automation projects.
• Outstanding communication skills with the ability to inspire teams and convey complex technical information to diverse audiences.
• Experience with proposal development, project estimation, and scope definition for controls projects.
• Aptitude for troubleshooting, creative problem solving, and delivering innovative technical solutions.
• Engineering degree with PE preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert and technical authority for the firm for process control systems, with mastery in FactoryTalk Batch, PlantPAx, and ISA-88 batch controls.
• Spearhead project teams through complex automation project life cycles, ensuring quality, schedule, and cost targets and compliance with regulatory, safety, and security standards.
• Mentor, develop, and review the work of engineers at all levels to elevate technical capability.
• Support the development and implementation of firmwide standards and best practices for process automation and controls in manufacturing environments.
• Partner directly with key clients to understand needs, define project requirements, articulate solutions, and build lasting relationships.
• Champion client-focused innovation, evaluating new technologies to deliver value, quality, and performance.
• Participate in business development strategy, project opportunity reviews, and proposal preparation for high-value projects.

Skills

FactoryTalk Batch

Rockwell PlantPAx

ISA-88 (S88)

Process instrumentation

Industrial networking

PLC/SCADA architectures

Leadership

Client-facing

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering

Master’s and/or Professional Engineer license preferred

Tools

Rockwell Automation

PlantPAx

FactoryTalk Batch

Job description

Who You’ll Work With

You will join one of our 45 offices in the US, be part of a committed team of over 1500 professionals, and work in teams and directly with our clients doing work that is shaping the world around us. You will be welcomed into a rapidly growing business and team and empowered to make an impact. You will be valued, cared for, and challenged on your path to becoming a world‑class professional consultant and surrounded by leaders who are committed to creating an environment that enables you to realize your own success and fulfillment. When you join Design Group as a Principal Process Controls Engineer, you are joining a team that will challenge you and position you for growth. Design Group is widely known as an industry leader, recognized as a top system integrator, ranking #9 in the 2025 System Integrator Giants; as a Rockwell Platinum Integrator, the highest designation given to Rockwell partners; and as an Ignition Enterprise Premier Integrator. As a part of this team, you will learn from industry leading experts and may even have the chance to be an active participant in industry events like the Ignition Build‑A‑Thon which Design Group won in 2023! As a Principal Process Controls Engineer, you will play a critical leadership role within Design Group’s Control System Integration Practice. You will collaborate with seasoned leaders, technical specialists, and subject matter experts to deliver innovative, top‑tier solutions to our clients and help define the direction and standards for process controls in the food & beverage industry.

What You’ll Do

You’ll work individually and in teams to support capital projects and implement solutions for our clients. Together, you will help our clients make critical changes to improve their performance and realize their most important goals.

• Serve as a subject matter expert and technical authority for the firm for process control systems, with mastery in FactoryTalk Batch, PlantPAx, and ISA‑88 (S88) batch controls.
• Spearhead project teams through complex automation project life cycles, ensuring technical excellence and accountability across all phases—from conceptual design to site startup and client handover. Ensure that project delivery meets quality, schedule, and cost targets and that solutions comply with all regulatory, safety, and security standards.
• Mentor, develop, and review the work of engineers at all levels, elevating the technical expertise of the organization.
• Support the development and implementation of firmwide standards and best practices for process automation and controls in manufacturing environments.
• Partner directly with key clients to understand needs, define project requirements, articulate solutions, and build lasting relationships based on trust and delivery of world‑class outcomes.
• Champion client‑focused innovation, evaluating new technologies and creative approaches to deliver exceptional value, quality, and performance.
• Participate in business development strategy, project opportunity reviews, and proposal preparation for high‑value and complex projects.

What You’ll Bring

• Minimum of 15 years of progressive process controls engineering experience, including significant leadership roles and client‑facing responsibilities in manufacturing environments.
• Mastery of FactoryTalk Batch, Rockwell PlantPAx, and thorough understanding and application of ISA‑88 (S88) batch process control standards.
• Substantial experience with process instrumentation, industrial networking, PLC/SCADA architectures, and integration with process systems.
• Demonstrated history of leading teams in the successful delivery of automation projects.
• Outstanding communication skills with the ability to inspire teams, engage with clients at executive and plant levels, and convey complex technical information clearly to all audiences.
• Experience with proposal development, project estimation, and scope definition for controls projects.
• Aptitude for troubleshooting, creative problem solving, and delivering innovative technical solutions in demanding environments.
• Recognition as a technical leader or subject matter expert in professional or industry settings; participation in conferences or standards committees is a plus.
• Willingness to travel as required for project and client needs, including installations, startup support, strategic meetings, training, and industry events.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering (Master’s and/or Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred).

About Our Culture

Our culture and commitment to our people is what sets us apart. We foster an environment of mutual respect, integrity, and unconditional interest in the individual and collective success of our professionals. Our model and entrepreneurial mindset offer a rewarding, challenging, and highly flexible path. As a Principal Process Controls Engineer, you will build a meaningful and fulfilling career with the support of professional development resources and mentorships including our First Year Experience program, Individual Development Plans, and Career Path resources and tools. You will be surrounded by exceptional talent who will support your development as both a world‑class engineer and a highly effective leader.

Feel like you’re on the path to becoming a Principal Process Controls Engineer but you’re not quite there yet? We’d love to connect with you to see if we can take you from where you are today and grow you into a Design Group Engineering Consultant.