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Principal Controls Designer

Location: [Portland, OR]

Employment: Full-Time

Reports To: [Engineering Manager / Director of Engineering]

Compensation: Competitive, Based on Experience

We are looking to add a dynamic and personable Principal Controls Designer who will serve as the design authority for our controls and automation engineering group. This role owns final review and approval of electrical and mechanical design packages — schematics, panel layouts, 3D models, and BOMs — for custom automated machinery, material handling equipment, and UL 508A/NFPA 79 controls systems. The ideal candidate is an expert-level user of AutoCAD Electrical and Autodesk Inventor (2D and 3D), with a strong background in manufacturing and engineering, including component specification and pricing, manufacturing labor estimation, and project management skills to guide the estimating and quoting process from development through completion.

This is a hands-on technical leadership role: in addition to approving the work of others, the Principal Controls Designer will personally develop complex designs, set drafting and design standards for the team, and represent the engineering group in front of customers and internal stakeholders.

● Serve as final design approval authority for controls and electrical designs across all quoted and in-process projects, ensuring compliance with UL 508A, NFPA 79, and internal design standards prior to release for fabrication or customer submittal.

● Review, redline, and approve schematics, panel layouts, wiring diagrams, 3D mechanical/panel models, and BOMs generated by other engineers and designers.

● Develop and maintain standardized design templates, symbol libraries, title blocks, and drafting standards in AutoCAD Electrical and Autodesk Inventor to ensure consistency and quality across the engineering team.

● Personally create complex electrical schematics and 2D/3D mechanical and panel layout designs in AutoCAD and Inventor for the most technically demanding projects.

● Use Inventor 3D modeling to perform mechanical/electrical coordination checks, clash detection, and panel/enclosure fit verification prior to fabrication.

● Estimate costs and write proposals related to UL 508A and NFPA 79 controls, custom automated machinery, and material handling equipment, drawing on deep knowledge of electro-mechanical components used in the automation industry.

● Clearly and accurately define labor hours, material costs, and outside service costs for detailed parts, assemblies, and tooling.

● Work closely with outside vendors to obtain technical information and pricing required to properly select the correct components for applications being quoted or designed.

● Assist in the definition of project scope and objectives, including conceptual design, involving all relevant stakeholders.

● Manage changes to project scope, schedules, and costs while coordinating with the sales and engineering teams to manage customer expectations; acquire change orders and customer authorization where appropriate.

● Meet quote and design review deadlines, including expedited requests from customers.

● Mentor and provide technical design guidance to junior designers and engineers, reviewing their work for accuracy, manufacturability, and standards compliance.

● Demonstrate strong presence and congeniality when speaking technically in front of groups, including co-workers and customers.

● Follow up on quotes and design packages sent to customers, and manage quotes and quote requests in the queue.

● Perform hands-on design and engineering work when necessary to complete projects or unblock the team.

● Use JobBoss, AutoCAD, Inventor, SolidWorks, and related software to review drawings, coordinate designs, and generate quotes.

● Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, or a related technical field, or equivalent hands-on experience.

● 8+ years of electrical controls design, programming, and/or production experience, including significant experience in a lead design, design approval, or principal-level design role.

● Expert-level proficiency in AutoCAD Electrical for 2D schematic and wiring diagram design.

● Expert-level proficiency in Autodesk Inventor for 2D and 3D mechanical, panel, and enclosure design.

● Strong working knowledge of UL 508A and NFPA 79 standards as applied to industrial control panel and machine design.

● Deep knowledge of electro-mechanical components used in the automation industry, including their specification, pricing, and application.

● Experience in a costing, estimating, and/or proposal development role for custom automation, controls, or material handling equipment.

● Demonstrated experience reviewing and approving the design work of other engineers or designers.

● Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage scope, schedule, and cost changes across multiple concurrent projects.

● Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

● Experience with JobBoss or similar ERP/quoting systems.

● Familiarity with SolidWorks in addition to AutoCAD and Inventor.

● Certified Electrical Technologist (CET) or similar design/drafting certification.

● Prior experience mentoring or leading a team of designers or controls engineers.

● Experience with material handling equipment or custom automated machinery specifically, rather than general industrial controls.

● Competitive compensation depending on experience.

● Flexible work schedule.

● Paid vacation with additional paid time off (PTO).

● Nine paid holidays.

● Healthcare.

● Profit sharing and 401(k).

● Specialty training and new skills development, and more.