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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
Skills Required
- 10-15+ years of experience in industrial automation, instrumentation and controls, PLC/DDC programming, and control system architecture
- Leadership experience across multiple large-scale projects or multi-site programs
- Expert-level knowledge of HVAC, BAS, and plant-level systems
- Experience with multiple automation platforms, building automation projects, multi-system integration, industrial networking architecture, and field commissioning
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline
- Associate degree in a related technical discipline
- Trade school certificate or equivalent technical training combined with relevant experience
- Previous experience as an HBT Lead Automation Engineer
- Professional Engineering license
- Experience mentoring senior-level engineering staff and contributing to organizational engineering standards
- Advanced scripting ability in Python or Java
- Ability to travel to client sites, including overnight stays
What We Do
Since 1947, Hoffman & Hoffman, Inc. has served the Carolinas and Virginia in the selection and application of commercial and industrial heating, ventilation, air conditioning, filtration and direct digital control (DDC) systems. In Fall 2009, Hoffman & Hoffman, Inc. opened branch offices in Knoxville and Chattanooga, Tennessee. Hoffman & Hoffman represents manufacturers of the highest quality HVAC equipment and controls available on the market today. Through one of our (14) fourteen regional branch offices, our professional sales engineers can assist you in most commercial/industrial HVAC and filtration projects. We employ Certified Energy Managers (CEM), LEED accredited professionals and professional sales engineers dedicated to meeting the heating, filtration, ventilation and air conditioning needs of engineers, owners and contractors. Delivering engineered, flexible, economical and environmentally responsible solutions for commercial, industrial and institutional heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration requirements is our top priority.
