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Principal Controls Engineer Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Atlas OT LLC

Principal Controls Engineer

Centennial, CO · On-site

$145K - $160K/yr

Overview 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 ...

Forge Nano

Controls Engineer II

Thornton, CO

$95K - $105K/yr

Forge Nano is seeking a Controls Engineer II to join their Engineering Design and Manufacturing Team, reporting to the Principal Engineer. This position will focus on developing the automation, logic ...

Forge Nano

Controls Engineer II

Thornton, CO · On-site

$95K - $105K/yr

Forge Nano is seeking a Controls Engineer II to join their Engineering Design and Manufacturing Team, reporting to the Principal Engineer. This position will focus on developing the automation, logic ...

Forge Nano

Controls Engineer II

Thornton, CO · On-site

$95K - $105K/yr

Forge Nano is seeking a Controls Engineer II to join their Engineering Design and Manufacturing Team, reporting to the Principal Engineer. This position will focus on developing the automation, logic ...

Agilent

Automation Controls Engineer

Frederick, CO · On-site

$103K - $161K/yr

Join a growing team with this exciting opportunity for an Automation Controls Engineer at our ... Knowledge of OT design principals, network architecture, virtual machines, and Thin Client ...

Agilent

Automation Controls Engineer

Frederick, CO · On-site

$103K - $161K/yr

Knowledge of OT design principals, network architecture, virtual machines, and Thin Client ... Ability to interpret and create electrical one-line diagrams and controls drawings. * Experience ...

Ursa Major

Principal DevOps Engineer

Berthoud, CO

... SRE, or Infrastructure/Platform Engineering experience, with a proven track record of principal ... controls. * Advanced proficiency in Terraform, Docker, Kubernetes, Helm, and continuous delivery ...

Ursa Major

Principal DevOps Engineer

Berthoud, CO · On-site

... SRE, or Infrastructure/Platform Engineering experience, with a proven track record of principal ... controls. * Advanced proficiency in Terraform, Docker, Kubernetes, Helm, and continuous delivery ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsPrincipal Controls Engineer JobsPrincipal Controls Engineer Jobs in Colorado

Principal Controls Engineer information

See Colorado salary details

$77.8K

$154.8K

$223.4K

How much do principal controls engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal controls engineer in Colorado is $154,804.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $124,600.00 and $181,900.00 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 popular job titles related to Principal Controls Engineer jobs in Colorado? For Principal Controls Engineer jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Principal Controls Engineer jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Principal Controls Engineer jobs in Colorado are:
Principal Controls Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Controls Engineer job openings in Colorado as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $154,804 per year, or $74.4 per hour.

Principal Controls Engineer

Atlas OT LLC

Centennial, CO • On-site

$145K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago

Job description


Overview
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.
Duties
  • 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
Skills Mastery
  • 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

Work Experience
  • 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 OTemployees are the best, and as such get the best benefits. Our totalcompensation plan provides pay above average for our industry asvalidated by independent third parties. We also provide manyopportunities for bonus compensation for those willing to put inextrahours, refer friends and new clients.
  • Hybrid / Flexibleschedule work
  • Company sponsoredtraining and certifications
  • PPE Reimbursement Program
  • $50/month CellPhone Reimbursement
  • Paid Time off forallFederal Holidays (11 total)
  • 120 hours / year ofaccrued Paid Time Off (inclusiveof 10 Vacation and 5 sick days)
  • Merit Based Rewardsand Bonuses such as
    • Quarterly Bonus
    • Employee recognition
    • New EmployeeReferral Bonus
    • Pick your taxadvantage bonus - elect to gettax-free contributions toeducation expenses such as tuition assistance, dependent care,and retirement.
  • Large groupmedical,vision and dental coverage with:
    • 75% ofemployee's premium covered by Atlas OT
    • 50% of employee's+dependent premium if eligiblecovered by Atlas OT
    • For HSA eligibleplans, employer HSA contributionequal to employeecontribution up to federally allowable limits
  • 401(k) RetirementSavings Plan with employercontributions matching employeecontributions up to 5% or federallyallowable limits.
  • Employee AssistanceProgram (EAP)
  • Employee Perks Program
  • Voluntary EmployeePrograms, including:
    • Pet Insurance
    • Critical Illness
    • Accident Plan
    • Legal Shield
    • ID Shield

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