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Principal Controls Engineer Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Releady

Data Engineer, Principal

Denver, CO · On-site +1

$170K - $190K/yr

The Principal drives data product delivery by designing and implementing cloud data lakes, data ... controls embedded directly into data pipelines. Champion and apply DevOps and DataOps best ...

Doist

Principal DevOps Engineer

Berthoud, CO · On-site

$175 - $215/hr

As a Principal DevOps Engineer within our Digital Operations team, you won't just be managing ... controls. * Advanced proficiency in Terraform, Docker, Kubernetes, Helm, and continuous delivery ...

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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 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:
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 Structural Engineer

Fleet Data Centers

Denver, CO • On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

Fleet Data Centers designs, builds and operates mega-scale data center campuses. Fleet provides its customers flexibility and predictability to meet their upside demand forecasts, addressing a key need in the market as traditional leased models are struggling to keep pace with the demand for new Cloud and AI infrastructure. Fleet is led by a team of industry veterans that have already made a lasting imprint on the evolution of global digital infrastructure and are committed and uniquely capable of upleveling data center development scale and operations in the face of rising demand. Fleet is well positioned to bring in-house design, engineering and operational capabilities to collaborate with customers on tailored solutions for campuses of 500MW+. This unique model enables Fleet to provide the world's largest and most sophisticated customers a seamless extension of their own data center fleets with constant access to design innovation. Fleet is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with satellite offices in Seattle, WA and Arlington, VA.
Position Overview:
Principal Structural Engineer will be responsible for leading the design, development, and implementation of cutting-edge efficient, scalable, and sustainable data centers. This role involves working with cross-functional teams to ensure best-in-class systems that support massive cloud operations across multiple regions.
Candidate must be a technical expert in structural engineering, while being experienced in architecture and civil engineering disciplines with a deep understanding of data center operations, sustainability initiatives and local codes. Subject matter expertise will be required and continually improved as it relates to new and innovative structural design technologies.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Create building and site structural drawings
  • Review due diligence and drive responsibility according to project requirements
  • Lead the design and development of structural design for large-scale data centers
  • Provide structural engineering design oversight throughout the project lifecycle
  • Create and track metrics related to cost and quality
  • Drive sustainability initiatives
  • Manage large-scale, multi-site projects across global regions, ensuring the on-time delivery of structural engineering
  • Collaborate with architecture, civil, electrical, mechanical, structural engineering, network, controls, and operations teams to integrate structural design with other data center components
  • Work closely with vendors and contractors to ensure all structural engineering systems meet quality, safety, and operational standards, as well as company specifications
  • Act as the main point of contact for all structural systems-related decisions and collaborate with senior leadership and stakeholders
  • Ensure all designs and systems comply with local, state, and federal regulations, building codes, and environmental requirements
  • Develop and refine design standards and guidelines to ensure consistency across all data centers

Required Qualifications:
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in Structural Engineering or a related field (master's or Ph.D. preferred)
  • 10+ years of experience in Structural Engineering, with at least 8 years focused on data center design and operations
  • Proven track record of delivering large-scale data center projects
  • Extensive experience with software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit, Tekla, etc.)
  • Expertise in sustainability, energy efficiency, and cost-saving measures related to data centers
  • Communication: Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable strategies for both technical and non-technical audiences
  • Stakeholder Management: Strong ability to influence and manage key stakeholders across engineering, product, and operations teams
  • Analytical Skills: Demonstrated success in analyzing program data, defining KPIs, and reporting on success metrics

Preferred Qualifications:
  • License: Professional Engineer (PE) license
  • Experience working in global data center projects, navigating region-specific regulations and environmental conditions
  • Hyperscaler: Familiarity with AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle Cloud, and Meta cloud providers' data center requirements
  • Cloud Certifications: Relevant cloud certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Azure Fundamentals, etc.)
  • Global Experience: Experience leading product launches in global markets, including knowledge of international land, energy and/or data center regulations and compliance
  • Technical Background: A strong technical understanding of cloud services, networking, and software development lifecycles

Key Competencies:
  • Integrity and Ethical Standards: Build trust, ensure fairness, and foster long-term, transparent relationships with suppliers
  • Effective Communication: The ability to clearly convey expectations and requirements to suppliers and negotiation parties, while understanding their needs and concerns. Comfortable delivering written and verbal presentations to internal leadership teams
  • Emotional Intelligence (EQ): Ability to understand the emotions, cultural nuances, and motivations of others, while effectively managing one's own emotions during high-pressure negotiations
  • Strategic Thinking: Ability to think big picture while also managing granular details
  • Adaptability: Proven track record of managing change and ambiguity in a fast-paced environment
  • Leadership: Ability to manage cross-functional teams and external vendors
  • Experience with complex, multi-site projects: Manage multiple projects under tight deadlines and deliver exceptional results
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills: Capable of interfacing with senior leadership and diverse stakeholders
  • Creative problem-solver: Ability to troubleshoot and optimize system performance effectively

Working Conditions:
  • This role requires occasional travel to data center sites across multiple regions (up to 25% travel)
  • Ability to work in both office environments and active construction sites, adhering to all safety protocols

Expected Salary Range: $160,000 - $200,000 Salary + Discretionary Bonus
Location:
Denver, CO, with consideration for candidates in Seattle, WA
Fleet Data Centers Employment
Fleet Data Centers employees enjoy competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including 100% employer-covered medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401K program, standard paid holidays, and unlimited PTO.
NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties to meet the organization's ongoing needs.
Fleet Data Centers is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment regardless of age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status. If you need assistance applying for any of our open positions, please contact us at info@fleetdatacenters.com.
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