Principal Automation Engineer

A Principal Automation Engineer is a senior technical leadership role responsible for overseeing complex automation programs and portfolios of projects across multi-system, plant-level, and enterprise environments. This individual operates with a high degree of technical authority, establishing engineering standards, approving system architecture, and serving as an escalation point for complex technical issues in support of the Principal Automation Engineer.

A Principal Automation Engineer balances strategic organizational contributions—including technical training, standards governance, and business development support—with oversight of hands-on technical execution across multiple projects.

Education

• Previous experience as an HBT Lead Automation Engineer or Bachelor's degree (preferred) or Associate degree in any of the following fields: Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Trade school certificates or equivalent technical training combined with relevant experience may also be considered.
• Professional Engineering (PE) License is a plus.

Experience

• 10–15+ years of experience in industrial automation, instrumentation and controls, PLC/DDC programming, and control system architecture.
• Demonstrated leadership experience across multiple large scale projects or multi-site programs.
• Broad exposure to multiple automation platforms, building automation projects, multi-system integration, industrial networking architecture, and field commissioning.
• Experience mentoring senior-level engineering staff and contributing to organizational engineering standards is preferred.

Skills

Technical Skills

Systems Knowledge: Expert-level understanding of HVAC, BAS, and plant-level systems, with the ability to evaluate and recommend enterprise-wide system architecture and integration strategies.

Control System Design: Ability to establish control system architecture standards for large-scale or multi-site programs, and to provide final design review and approval in support of, or in the absence of, the Principal Automation Engineer.

HMI/SCADA: Ability to define enterprise HMI/SCADA standards, templates, and graphics libraries, and to approve system architecture across multiple programs. Advanced scripting ability in Python or Java is preferred.

PLC/DDC: Ownership of PLC/DDC programming standards, reusable code libraries, and platform selection guidance; ability to approve technical scope and deliverables for complex, multi-system projects.

Networking & Infrastructure: Expert-level understanding of industrial protocols and OT network design, with the ability to define enterprise OT network standards and align designs with cybersecurity requirements.

Testing: Ability to approve testing strategies, acceptance criteria, and commissioning plans across a portfolio of projects to ensure quality and performance objectives are met.

Soft Skills

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to align engineering execution across a program or portfolio with long-term organizational goals and industry trends.
• Stakeholder Management: Excellent communication skills for managing client expectations, executive stakeholders, and cross-functional coordination across multiple projects.
• Accountability: Full ownership of technical quality, scope, schedule, and financial performance across a portfolio of concurrent projects.
• Leadership: Ability to train and mentor other engineering staff; contributes to organizational standards and training programs.

Responsibilities

Control System Design: Establish control system architecture standards for large-scale or multi-site programs. Provide final technical review and approval in support of, or in the absence of, the Principal Automation Engineer.

HMI/SCADA Configuration: Define enterprise HMI/SCADA standards, templates, and graphics libraries. Approve system architecture and graphics standards across multiple programs.

PLC/DDC Programming: Own PLC/DDC programming standards, reusable code libraries, and platform selection guidance across programs. Approve technical scope and deliverables for complex, multi-system projects.

Testing & Commissioning: Approve testing strategies, acceptance criteria, and commissioning plans across a portfolio of projects to ensure quality and performance objectives are achieved. Travel may be required. Expect up to 30% travel, including regular overnight stays for non-local client sites and up to 100% travel to local client sites.

Documentation: Own documentation standards and templates. Approve all types of project documentation across programs.

Technical Training & Mentorship: Develop and deliver technical training for the engineering team. Mentor Senior Automation Engineer, Lead Automation Engineer, and other engineering staff.

Business Acumen: Support sales and management with client presentations, proposals, and scope development for large or strategic pursuits.

Safety & Compliance: Follow all office and site safety procedures and participate in mandatory safety training (e.g., OSHA-10).

Quality Control: Perform periodic quality reviews of PLC programs, system architectures, and engineering submittals across a portfolio of projects.

Project Controls: Own scope, schedule, and financial performance across a portfolio of concurrent projects. Support enterprise-level project controls governance.