As a Principal Controls Engineer
at Atlas OT, you will set the technical direction for integrated automation and
controls 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 programs
involving RTU, PLC, flow computer, SCADA, and DCS systems—shaping how Atlas OT
designs, programs, procures, tests, and deploys Operational Technology at
scale.
This role owns the company’s
engineering standards and long-range technology roadmap. You will guide the
engineering team from Associate through Lead levels, resolve the most difficult
technical challenges, and partner with leadership on business development and
strategic pursuits. You’ll apply deep expertise across electrical,
instrumentation, and controls engineering to support full-service
solutions—including panel design, FAT testing, and managed SCADA services—while
protecting quality, safety, and profitability.
This is more than a senior engineering role—it is a
technical leadership and authority position for an engineer ready to define
standards, mentor teams, win strategic accounts, and deliver automation
excellence on a global scale.
- 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
- Expert in all five IEC 61131-3 programming languages, with ownership and governance of internal code libraries and template standards
- Subject matter expert (SME) across multiple automation platforms (e.g., Rockwell, Siemens, Schneider, Ignition, Phoenix Contact, etc.)
- 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
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering
required; advanced credentials preferred (Master’s degree, ISA CAP, PE License
– Control Systems, or recognized industry Fellow status)
- Minimum of 20,000 project hours
logged, including multi-site system architecture and technical oversight of
major programs (10+ years experience)
- Prior experience developing and
reviewing control narratives, P&IDs, and safety instrumented systems (SIS)
- Demonstrated industry authority
preferred (e.g., published white papers, conference speaking, or ISA/IEEE
committee membership)
- Experience mentoring engineers
and building a knowledge-sharing culture across the team
- Must possess a valid driver’s
license and be willing to travel as needed
- Drug-free workplace compliance
required
Benefits
Atlas OT
employees are the best, and as such get the best benefits. Our total
compensation plan provides pay above average for our industry as
validated by independent third parties. We also provide many
opportunities for bonus compensation for those willing to put in
extra hours, refer friends and new clients.
- Hybrid / Flexible
schedule work
- Company sponsored
training and certifications
- PPE Reimbursement Program
- $50/month Cell
Phone Reimbursement
- Paid Time off for
all Federal Holidays (11 total)
- 120 hours / year of
accrued Paid Time Off (inclusive of 10 Vacation and 5 sick days)
- Merit Based Rewards
and Bonuses such as
- Quarterly Bonus
- Employee recognition
- New Employee
Referral Bonus
- Pick your tax
advantage bonus - elect to get tax-free contributions to
education expenses such as tuition assistance, dependent care,
and retirement.
- Large group
medical, vision and dental coverage with:
- 75% of
employee's premium covered by Atlas OT
- 50% of employee's
+ dependent premium if eligible covered by Atlas OT
- For HSA eligible
plans, employer HSA contribution equal to employee
contribution up to federally allowable limits
- 401(k) Retirement
Savings Plan with employer contributions matching employee
contributions up to 5% or federally allowable limits.
- Employee Assistance
Program (EAP)
- Employee Perks Program
- Voluntary Employee
Programs, including:
- Pet Insurance
- Critical Illness
- Accident Plan
- Legal Shield
- ID Shield
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering
- Expertise in all five IEC 61131-3 programming languages
- Subject matter expertise across multiple automation platforms, such as Rockwell, Siemens, Schneider, Ignition, and Phoenix Contact
- Experience architecting and directing complex, multi-platform control systems across multiple sites and industries
- Knowledge of UL, NEC, ISA, and IEC standards
- Experience with process safety and functional safety systems
- Proficiency with ERP/MES integration, MQTT, and scripting using Python, C#, or VBA
- Experience designing and securing OT networks according to IEC 62443 standards
- Leadership experience in advanced process control and alarm rationalization
- Quality management, standards governance, technical documentation, and cross-functional collaboration skills
- High-level consulting, negotiation, and executive communication skills
- Minimum 20,000 project hours, including multi-site system architecture and technical oversight of major programs
- At least 10 years of relevant experience
- Experience developing and reviewing control narratives, P&IDs, and safety instrumented systems
- Experience mentoring engineers and building a knowledge-sharing culture
- Valid driver's license and willingness to travel as needed
- Drug-free workplace compliance
- Master's degree, ISA CAP, PE License in Control Systems, or recognized industry Fellow status
- Published white papers, conference speaking experience, or ISA/IEEE committee membership
What We Do
Atlas OT provides control-systems integration, industrial automation, and electrical engineering services for operational-technology environments. Its work helps customers improve the efficiency of PLCs, SCADA, DCS, and industrial networks through system integration, clear programming standards, and turn-key solutions. The company supports instrumentation and valving, control and electrical panels, PLC programming, DCS development, HMI and SCADA development, network support, commissioning, and greenfield or brownfield projects.
