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Principal Controls Engineer Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

YOUR MISSION We are seeking an experienced Principal Compliance Engineer to lead the design and ... Integrate technical controls to support monitoring, logging, and alerting consistent with RMF and ...

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

Principal Quality Engineer

Westminster, CO · On-site

$136K - $167K/yr

The Principal Quality Engineer will also be responsible for the inception, maintenance and update ... Leads cross-functional process improvements to drive business results including process controls ...

As a Principal System Safety Engineer, you will be accountable for the establishment and execution ... controls. * Collaborate with stakeholders across a range of engineering functions to identify and ...

As a Principal System Safety Engineer, you will be accountable for the establishment and execution ... controls. * Collaborate with stakeholders across a range of engineering functions to identify and ...

Showing results 21-40

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 6, 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:
Infographic showing various Principal Controls Engineer job openings in Colorado as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $154,804 per year, or $74.4 per hour.

Associate Field Engineer - Controls

Wunderlich-Malec Engineering, Inc

Lakewood, CO

$74K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago


Job description

Wunderlich-Malec Engineering (WM) is a 100% employee-owned ESOP and one of the largest and most well-established engineering companies in the United States. When you join WM you become part of a company that is:

  • 100% employee-owned with 40+ years of industry history
  • ENR (Engineering News Record) Top 500 firm
  • Rated as a top System Integrator Giant

Wunderlich-Malec has an opportunity for a mobile entry field engineer or technician interested in quick advancement as a design engineer and in the Data Center industry sector. This position is responsible for electrical and controls engineering projects involving electrical and instrumentation, coordination with electrical subcontractors, PLC/SCADA/HMI programming, commissioning support, and start-up assistance.

Please Note: This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored work authorization, including H-1B sponsorship. The Company does not participate in the STEM OPT training program for this position.

Major Responsibilities

  • Installation & Wiring QA/QC Verification including control panels and associated instruments (Level 2). Ensure devices and/or equipment, associated with the control system, have been installed and wired per the manufacturer’s requirements as well as the submitted and approved package shop drawings and documentation
  • “Point-to-Point” testing to ensure field devices, associated with the control system, have been installed per the submitted and approved system shop drawings and documentation. (Level 3) This process also verifies the data to and from field devices are properly configured in the control system and includes data that may be read via network integration
  • Functional Performance Testing (FPT) to ensure the control system and field devices operate as defined by the relevant design (Level 4) Verification of the proper execution of control sequences, alert configuration, alert activation, trend displays, trend configurations, control system failures, and overall verification of the system graphics
  • Support System Level Testing to ensure the control system and field devices functionally perform as one system (Level 5). Verify proper execution of control sequences with all relevant systems operating to achieve a common goal. During this testing, the SCADA is used to navigate the different areas and views of the facility, alerts are activated, trend displays are monitored, and system failure scenarios are examined

Minimum Requirements

Education BS Electrical, Computer, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering preferred. An AA in Engineering Technology or equivalent field technician experience may be substituted.

Experience New Graduate or 0-2 years of field experience

  • Understanding of or exposure to field instrumentation, hardware panels and low voltage controls design
  • Understanding of control systems, components, PLC programming, SCADA programming and their applications

Physical Demands of Position Attention to detail with critical focus on Quality Control. Ability to maintain quality with repetitive commissioning events. Writing, computer work, field work in construction trailer or industrial settings, color perception, hearing, adept at verbal and written communication, teamwork, dexterity in hands, driving, lifting, climbing, and ability to mount and dismount equipment, pushing, and pulling. Interaction and coordination with customers and third-party vendors. Daily usage of PC/office applications and cell phone.

Working / Residence Plan

  • Up to 100% travel/work site location; (outside of PTO)
  • Monday-Friday working hours with occasional weekend requirements
  • Multiple month assignments at various US-based sites with weekend travel up to 2x/month with project schedule considerations (excluding vacations). Project housing, meals and incidentals along with airfare covered by Company
  • Full company benefits, including training and paid time off (PTO)

*Job Descriptions are not exhaustive lists of all skills, responsibilities, or efforts associated with a job. They reflect principal job elements essential for performing the job and evaluating performance.

Wunderlich-Malec is proud to offer a comprehensive employee-owner benefit package. Full-time employees may be eligible for the following benefits: Medical • Dental • Vision • Basic and Supplemental Life and AD&D • Long Term Disability • Voluntary Short Term Disability • Healthcare & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts • Health Savings Account • Paid Time Off (PTO) • Paid Holidays • Tuition Reimbursement • Referral Bonus Program • 401(k)/Profit Sharing • 100% ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) • Employee Assistance Program • Will Preparation Resources • Worldwide Travel Assistance

The salary range is $74,000 to $80,000 annually depending on qualifications plus a discretionary bonus and employee stock program.

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