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Principal Automation Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Chobani

Principal Automation Engineer

Twin Falls, ID · On-site

Summary The Principal Automation Engineer serves as the technical authority for automation and controls systems across Chobani manufacturing operations. This role provides strategic, hands on ...

Chobani

Principal Automation Engineer

Twin Falls, ID · On-site

Summary The Principal Automation Engineer serves as the technical authority for automation and controls systems across Chobani manufacturing operations. This role provides strategic, hands on ...

Chobani

Principal Automation Engineer

Twin Falls, ID · On-site

Summary The Principal Automation Engineer serves as the technical authority for automation and controls systems across Chobani manufacturing operations. This role provides strategic, hands on ...

AirPay

Principal Automation Engineer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

About the Role We are seeking a seasoned Principal Automation Engineer to join our team and help pioneer a new type of healthcare platform. You will be responsible for automating complex healthcare ...

VulcanForms

Principal Automation Engineer

Devens, MA · On-site

$178K - $245K/yr

Job Purpose As the Principal Automation Engineer , you will be the visionary architect of VulcanForms' advanced automation ecosystem and "lights-out" manufacturing strategy. You will move beyond ...

Stellix

Principal Automation Engineer

Foxboro, MA · On-site

The Opportunity We are seeking a Principal Automation Engineer to join our Project Services group. In this role, you will serve as a technical leader on complex automation projects, contributing ...

Stellix

Principal Automation Engineer

Foxboro, MA · On-site +1

The Opportunity We are seeking a Principal Automation Engineer to join our Project Services group. In this role, you will serve as a technical leader on complex automation projects, contributing ...

Agilent

Principal Automation Engineer

Frederick, CO · On-site

$146K - $229K/yr

Join a growing team with this exciting new opportunity for a Principal Automation Engineer in our Automation group supporting design, construction, and operation of pharmaceutical facilities. Work in ...

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Principal Automation Engineer information

See salary details

$85.5K

$128.2K

$209K

How much do principal automation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal automation engineer in the United States is $128,153.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $106,000.00 and $135,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Principal Automation Engineer do?

A Principal Automation Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and overseeing automated systems and processes within an organization. They lead automation projects, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and ensure that automation solutions align with business goals. Additionally, they mentor junior engineers, establish best practices, and stay current with emerging automation technologies to enhance efficiency and productivity.

Will AI replace automation engineer?

AI is transforming automation engineering by enabling more advanced and efficient systems, but it is unlikely to fully replace automation engineers. Instead, automation engineers will need to develop skills in AI, machine learning, and programming to work alongside AI tools and manage complex automation projects.

How does a Principal Automation Engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during large-scale projects?

A Principal Automation Engineer often serves as a technical leader, working closely with software developers, QA engineers, project managers, and operations teams to design and implement robust automation frameworks. They facilitate regular meetings to align project goals, share automation best practices, and resolve technical roadblocks. Additionally, they mentor junior team members, ensuring consistent automation standards and driving continuous improvement across departments. This collaborative approach enables efficient delivery of scalable and reliable automation solutions.

What is the difference between Principal Automation Engineer vs Automation Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Automation EngineerAutomation Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, certifications like ISTQB, automation tools expertiseBachelor's in Engineering or related field, automation tools knowledge
Work EnvironmentLead automation projects, strategic planning, cross-team collaborationDevelop and execute automation scripts, testing, and implementation
Industry UsageUsed in software, manufacturing, and engineering sectors for high-level automationCommon in software testing, manufacturing, and IT industries

The Principal Automation Engineer typically holds a senior, strategic role overseeing automation initiatives, while the Automation Engineer focuses on executing automation tasks. Both roles require similar technical skills, but the Principal position involves leadership and planning responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Principal Automation Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Automation Engineer, you need deep expertise in automation frameworks, scripting languages (such as Python or Java), and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with tools like Selenium, Jenkins, Docker, and CI/CD systems, as well as industry certifications in automation or DevOps, are typically required. Strong problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills set top candidates apart in guiding teams and collaborating across functions. These skills and qualities are crucial for designing scalable automation solutions, ensuring software reliability, and driving innovation in complex technical environments.
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Principal Automation Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Automation Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $128,153 per year, or $61.6 per hour.
Principal Automation Engineer

Principal Automation Engineer

Chobani

Twin Falls, ID • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Chobani rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 36 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 380 rated food and drinks producers

Job description

Summary

The Principal Automation Engineer serves as the technical authority for automation and controls systems across Chobani manufacturing operations. This role provides strategic, hands on technical leadership to define automation architecture, standards, and best practices that enable safe, reliable, scalable, and secure plant operations.
As a senior individual contributor, the Principal Automation Engineer influences outcomes across multiple sites through design leadership, technical governance, and deep expertise. This role partners closely with Engineering, Operations, IT, Cybersecurity, and Capital Project teams to deliver world class automation solutions that support Chobani's growth and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

Automation Leadership
* Serve as the automation and controls design authority across Chobani manufacturing sites.
* Define, own, and maintain enterprise automation standards, including PLCs, SCADA/HMI platforms, industrial networks, historians, and OT system architectures.
* Establish best practices for automation lifecycle management, documentation, testing, commissioning, and long term support.
Architecture & Technical Governance
* Lead automation architecture reviews for large capital projects, expansions, and first of kind implementations.
* Provide technical approval and guidance for automation designs developed internally or by third party integrators.
* Partner with IT and Cybersecurity teams to advance OT/IT integration while ensuring system security, resilience, and compliance.
Capital Projects & Strategic Initiatives
* Act as a senior technical resource on major automation capital projects, reducing technical risk and ensuring scalable, sustainable designs.
* Partner with OEM and integrators to assure successful commissioning.
* Support greenfield and brownfield projects from concept through startup and stabilization.
Advanced Problem Solving & Risk Management
* Serve as the escalation point for complex, high impact automation and controls issues.
* Lead technical root cause investigations related to automation system failures, reliability events, or performance constraints.
* Develop long term corrective actions that improve system robustness across sites.
Mentorship & Capability Building
* Mentor Senior Automation Engineers and Automation Managers through technical coaching and design reviews.
* Develop automation playbooks, standards documentation, and technical training resources.
* Elevate enterprise automation capability by sharing knowledge and best practices across the organization.

Requirements

The requirements of this position include:
* Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience.
* 10+ years of progressive experience in automation, controls, and industrial systems within manufacturing environments.
* Deep expertise in PLC programming, HMI/SCADA systems, industrial networking, and automation system integration.
* Proven experience developing and governing automation standards and architectures across multiple projects or sites.
* Strong ability to influence without formal people management authority.
* Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse stakeholders.
Preferred
* Experience supporting large scale capital projects, multi site manufacturing environments, or greenfield builds.
* Knowledge of OT cybersecurity principles and OT/IT convergence.
* Advanced experience with data historians, SQL databases, and manufacturing data systems.
* Background in food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods manufacturing.

About Us

Chobani is a food maker with a mission of making high-quality and nutritious food accessible to more people, while elevating our communities and making the world a healthier place. In short: making good food for all. In support of this mission, Chobani is a purpose-driven, people-first, food-and-wellness-focused company, and has been since its founding in 2005 byHamdi Ulukaya, an immigrant to the U.S. The Company manufactures yogurt, oat milk, and creamers - Chobani yogurt is America's No.1 yogurt brand, made with natural ingredients without artificial preservatives. Following the 2023 acquisition of La Colombe, a leading coffee roaster with a shared commitment to quality, craftmanship and impact, the Company began selling cold-pressed espresso and lattes on tap at cafes nationwide, as well as Ready to Drink (RTD) coffee beverages at retail. In 2025, Chobani acquired Daily Harvest, a modern brand offering consumers nutritious, delicious and convenient ready-to-make meals.


Chobani uses food as a force for good in the world - putting humanity first in everything it does. The company's philanthropic efforts prioritize giving back to its communities and beyond. Chobani manufactures its products inNew York,Idaho,MichiganandAustralia, and its products are available throughoutNorth Americaand distributed inAustraliaand other select markets.


For more information, please visitwww.chobani.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Chobani is an equal opportunity employer. Chobani will not discriminate against any applicant for employment on any basis including, but not limited to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, military and/or veteran status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics and genetic information, or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws.

The salary range for this full-time position is $154,000.00 - $242,000.00, + bonus + equity + benefits. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Chobani provides a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision coverage, disability insurance, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, and tuition reimbursement. To help save for the future, all employees are eligible for a 401k match of 100% on up to 5% of eligible pay. To support growing families, we provide fertility and childcare assistance, and 12 weeks of parental leave at full pay after six months of continuous employment. In addition, we provide wellness resources which include an employee assistance program, fitness discounts, a wellness reimbursement, on-site gym access (certain locations) and a monthly wellness newsletter to connect you with resources and timely information. We offer various types of paid time of including: 120 hours of paid time off, 11 holidays, and paid volunteer time off.

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