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Principal Controls Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Wunderlich-Malec

Associate Controls Engineer

Pleasanton, CA · On-site

$92K - $119K/yr

ENR Top 500 Firm We have an Associate Controls Engineer opportunity available in Pleasanton, CA ... They reflect principal job elements essential for performing the job and evaluating performance.

Wunderlich-Malec

Associate Controls Engineer

Pleasanton, CA · On-site

$92K - $119K/yr

ENR Top 500 Firm We have an Associate Controls Engineer opportunity available in Pleasanton, CA ... They reflect principal job elements essential for performing the job and evaluating performance.

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All JobsPrincipal Controls Engineer JobsPrincipal Controls Engineer Jobs in California

Principal Controls Engineer information

See California salary details

$73K

$145.3K

$209.7K

How much do principal controls engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal controls engineer in California is $145,292.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $116,900.00 and $170,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges principal controls engineers face when managing complex automation projects?

Principal Controls Engineers often encounter challenges such as integrating new automation technologies with legacy systems, ensuring that all safety and compliance standards are met, and coordinating across multidisciplinary teams. They must also address unexpected troubleshooting issues quickly to minimize downtime, and effectively communicate technical requirements to both engineering and non-technical stakeholders. Successfully managing these challenges requires strong leadership, adaptability, and a deep understanding of both hardware and software controls systems.

What is a principal controls engineer?

A Principal Controls Engineer is a senior-level engineering professional responsible for designing, developing, and overseeing control systems used to operate machinery and processes in various industries. They lead projects, mentor junior engineers, and ensure that control systems meet safety, reliability, and efficiency standards. Principal Controls Engineers often collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate new technologies, troubleshoot complex automation issues, and ensure compliance with industry regulations. Their work is critical in sectors such as manufacturing, energy, and automotive, where precise control and automation are essential.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal controls engineer?

To thrive as a Principal Controls Engineer, you need advanced expertise in control system design, automation engineering, and a relevant engineering degree, often with a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Familiarity with PLCs, SCADA systems, HMI software, and industry standards like IEC 61131 is typically required. Leadership, problem-solving, and clear communication are critical soft skills for managing projects and mentoring teams. These competencies ensure the successful delivery of complex automation solutions, operational efficiency, and technical leadership within engineering organizations.

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

AspectPrincipal Controls EngineerControls Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical, Mechanical, or Controls Engineering; Professional Engineer (PE) license often preferredBachelor's degree in Engineering or related field; PE license optional
Work EnvironmentLead projects, oversee design and implementation, coordinate teamsDesign, develop, and troubleshoot control systems under supervision
Industry UsageUsed in large-scale manufacturing, automation, and industrial facilitiesCommon in manufacturing, automation, and process industries

The Principal Controls Engineer typically holds more experience, leads projects, and oversees teams, while Controls Engineers focus on designing and implementing control systems. Both roles require similar technical credentials and are integral to automation projects, but the Principal role involves higher-level responsibilities and leadership.

What are the most commonly searched types of Principal Controls Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Principal Controls Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Principal Controls Engineer jobs in California? For Principal Controls Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Principal Controls Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Principal Controls Engineer jobs in California are:
Principal Controls Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Controls Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,292 per year, or $69.9 per hour.

Staff Automation & Controls Engineer

Divergent

Torrance, CA • On-site

$171K - $235K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Divergent is a technology company that has architected, invented, built, and commercialized an end-to-end factory system called the Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS) that comprehensively uses machine learning to optimally engineer, additively manufacture, and flexibly assemble complex integrated vehicle structures and subsystems. Products created using DAPS are superior in performance, lower in cost, rapidly customizable to meet mission and customer-specific requirements, faster to market, and scalable on demand to high volume production. Divergent is a qualified Tier 1 supplier to global automotive OEMs, and Divergent is now expanding to support mission critical needs in the Aerospace and Defense sector. Join us to be a part of this transformative journey, where your impact will shape the future of technology and production.
Purpose
The Staff Automation & Controls Engineer will develop flexible robotic manufacturing & automation systems core to the Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS).
The ideal candidate has a track record of successfully architecting and deploying advanced automated systems in a quick changing, start-up environment. This role will take a hands-on execution approach and use their skills in hardware, software and technical mentorship to create bleeding-edge industrial automation systems, support production operations, and democratize factory data to support key business decisions. Divergent is pushing the boundaries of technology and we need a passionate and agile engineer to help us create the platform for sustainable manufacturing.
The Role
  • Development of next generation PLC, HMI & SCADA software & controls architectures for the next generation of DAPS factories & factory modules.
  • Support the development of automation software standards, frameworks, best practices, and platform selection.
  • Collaborate with team members on both the development and deployment of these standards, raising the overall level of the team through your experience and technical mentorship.
  • Architect new advanced automation systems, ultimately leading to detailed design, development and commissioning of first article factory modules.
  • Develop controls systems for new and experimental processes in an R&D environment.
  • Understand and steer production operations requirements for factory modules leading to increased overall factory OPE through better development of modules and factory data.
  • Work closely with cross-functional technical teams to ensure that program deliverables and milestones are defined, scheduled, and executed on time and budget.
  • Support engineering teams in achieving resolution of any gridlock, rather than merely report status. Must have the leadership ability and intelligence to drive hands-on execution of a highly motivated and intelligent team under intense time constraints.
Basic Qualifications
  • Ability to lawfully access information and technology that is subject to US export controls
  • 7 years of industrial automation controls experience in dynamic environments
  • IEC 61131-3 Structured Text programming experience
  • Industrial electrical and safety experience
Preferred Qualifications
  • Strong knowledge of NEC, NFPA 79, UL508A standards.
  • Advanced experience working with the Beckhoff TwinCAT & hardware ecosystem.
  • Advanced experience with industrial automation hardware, fieldbus interfaces and motion control.
  • Advanced industrial networking experience
  • Experience with industrial safety systems, risk assessments and safety over fieldbus protocols, i.e. FSoE & PROFIsafe
  • Experience developing SCADA & other factory data management platforms, industrial databases, dashboards, etc.
  • Experience with Industrial robot platforms, offline program, and virtual commissioning.
  • Experience with industrial electrical schematic tools, such as EPlan or AutoCAD electrical.
  • Experience with standard software engineering practices, object-oriented programming, SOLID, unit testing and development tools such as GIT.
  • Technical leadership experience in defining standards, methods, processes, and training.
Work Environment
  • Office and factory environment
  • 100% onsite
  • Minimal travel
  • Work near moving mechanical parts
Compensation
At Divergent, our pay range is based on the level of the job. For this role, we will consider candidates at levels Staff - Principal as evaluated through our interview process.
  • Staff Engineer / E06: $148,430 - $204,090
  • Principal Engineer / E07: $171,450 - $235,740

Pay Range
$148,430-$235,740 USD
What We Offer:
  • Holistic Compensation Package: Enjoy a world-class compensation package that includes a competitive salary, equity plan, and discretionary results-based incentive bonus opportunities, ensuring you're truly valued for your contributions.
  • Wellness and Time Off: Embrace a healthy lifestyle with paid vacation, sick time, and company holidays, including a year-end shutdown to recharge. We support growing families with paid parental leave, recognizing the importance of bonding time.
  • Comprehensive Health and Wellness: Prioritize your well-being with our comprehensive health and wellness benefits, offering both HMO and Premium PPO options. Additionally, benefit from company-sponsored life insurance and short and long-term disability coverage for peace of mind.
  • Investment in Growth: We're committed to your professional development. Take advantage of reimbursement opportunities for learning and development initiatives, empowering you to continuously expand your skill set and reach peak performance.
  • Collaborative and High-Performing Environment: Join our collaborative, dynamic, and high-performing team within a fast-paced, mission-driven company. Together, we're disrupting the traditional manufacturing industry, fostering innovation, and integrating people and technology to reduce our footprint.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Divergent is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected characteristic. Divergent provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act.
EEO Poster
In order to adjust to changes in our business, it may become necessary to add, remove or modify certain duties and responsibilities, or to reassign you to another job position. From time to time you may be asked to work on special projects or to assist with other work. Your cooperation and assistance in performing such additional work is expected.
E-Verify: Right to Work
Our company participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is a program that electronically confirms a candidate's eligibility to work in the United States after completing the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9). The information provided on the Form I-9 is compared to the records contained in the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) databases. This helps employers verify the identity and employment eligibility of newly hired employees.
Eligibility to Work Poster (English) | Eligibility to Work Poster (Spanish)
Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO)
Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO), we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
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