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Principal Process Engineer Jobs in New Mexico (NOW HIRING)

Principal Software Engineer, Security

Ramon, NM ยท On-site +1

$221K - $299K/yr

Job Title Principal Software Engineer, Security Job Requisition 22531.36.3 Salary $221,000.00 to ... processes. Contribute to all activities that deliver product to customers, including but not ...

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Showing results 1-20

Principal Process Engineer information

See New Mexico salary details

$84.3K

$145.4K

$176.9K

How much do principal process engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal process engineer in New Mexico is $145,441.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $126,000.00 and $164,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Principal Process Engineer, you need deep expertise in chemical or process engineering, advanced problem-solving skills, and typically a relevant engineering degree with substantial industry experience. Familiarity with process simulation software (such as Aspen HYSYS or CHEMCAD), Six Sigma or Lean certifications, and knowledge of regulatory standards are important technical assets. Leadership, effective communication, and project management skills distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies ensure efficient process design, regulatory compliance, and successful cross-functional collaboration on complex engineering projects.

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

AspectPrincipal Process EngineerProcess Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in Chemical, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering; extensive experienceBachelor's degree in Engineering; entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentLead projects, oversee process design, and mentor teams in manufacturing or chemical plantsAssist in process design, troubleshooting, and optimization under supervision
Industry UsageCommon in large manufacturing, chemical, and oil & gas companiesFound across various industries including manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and energy

The Principal Process Engineer typically holds advanced credentials and leads complex projects, focusing on strategic process improvements. In contrast, the Process Engineer is more involved in supporting and executing process tasks. Both roles are essential in process industries, but the Principal Process Engineer operates at a higher level of responsibility and expertise.

What is a Principal Process Engineer?

A Principal Process Engineer is a senior-level engineering professional responsible for designing, optimizing, and overseeing industrial processes within a company. They lead complex projects, provide technical guidance to engineering teams, and ensure that processes meet safety, quality, and efficiency standards. Principal Process Engineers often collaborate with other departments to implement process improvements and solve technical challenges. Their expertise is crucial in industries such as chemical, manufacturing, oil and gas, and pharmaceuticals.

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

A Principal Process Engineer often acts as a key liaison between engineering, operations, project management, and quality assurance teams. They lead process design reviews, facilitate technical discussions, and ensure that project deliverables align with organizational goals and regulatory standards. Effective communication and coordination are essential, as they guide multidisciplinary teams through troubleshooting, optimization, and implementation phases. This collaborative role ensures that process improvements are feasible, cost-effective, and sustainable across the project lifecycle.

What Is a Principal Process Engineer?

A principal process engineer works with a team to analyze the efficiency of company processes and identify potential improvements. In this career, you usually work in a large production or manufacturing facility. You must have excellent technical, organizational, and analytical skills. Your job duties include helping management in the development of schedules, budgets, or guidelines for your department, overseeing other engineers, collaborating to support process solutions, and creating simulations, diagrams, and project plans. You also use engineering computer software to design process plans and review data to calculate constant improvements. Qualifications for a career as a principal process engineer include a bachelor's degree in engineering.

What are popular job titles related to Principal Process Engineer jobs in New Mexico? For Principal Process Engineer jobs in New Mexico, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Principal Process Engineer jobs in New Mexico look for? The top searched job categories for Principal Process Engineer jobs in New Mexico are:
What are popular job titles related to Principal Process Engineer jobs in NM? For Principal Process Engineer jobs in NM, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Principal Process Engineer job openings in New Mexico 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 $145,441 per year, or $69.9 per hour.

Principal Process Automation Engineer

Airswift

Artesia, NM โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago


Job description

Principal Process Automation Engineer
Duration:
Long-term assignment
Location:
Artesia, New Mexico
Start date:
August 2026
End date:
N/A
Position Overview
The Principal Process Automation Engineer is a senior technical opportunity focused on delivering automation engineering projects within a refinery environment. This position offers the chance to lead complex project execution across the full automation lifecycle, supporting operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability. The Principal Process Automation Engineer will work onsite in Artesia, New Mexico, contributing to multidisciplinary project delivery and providing technical leadership across process automation scope. This Principal Process Automation Engineer opportunity is well suited to candidates with strong hands-on delivery experience and the ability to lead teams on technically demanding capital projects.
Role Context
This role sits within the process automation and engineering space, supporting projects across sectors such as petrochemical, oil and gas, LNG, mining, and nuclear. The working environment is a full-time onsite refinery setting in Artesia, New Mexico. The role covers project phases from concept and design through construction support, commissioning, validation, and handover, while working alongside engineering partners, contractors, manufacturers, system integrators, project management, and technical disciplines.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead the execution of process automation engineering projects across concept, design, engineering, construction support, commissioning, validation, and handover.
  • Provide technical leadership for automation project implementation, including programming and configuration of control systems and leading delivery teams.
  • Coordinate interfaces with engineering partners, construction contractors, equipment manufacturers, system integrators, project management teams, and technical disciplines.
  • Prepare and support proposals, execution plans, and project budgets.
  • Produce process automation deliverables including control narratives, cause and effect drawings, Boolean logic diagrams, and functional specifications for DCS, SIS, and PLC systems.
  • Develop system cabinet layout drawings, wiring diagrams, system card layouts, and loading documentation.
  • Deliver basic instrumentation and control documentation such as instrument datasheets, instrument indexes, wiring diagrams, and system architecture documents.
  • Support project success through quality delivery, cost awareness, customer satisfaction, work process improvement, and collaborative teamwork.
Qualifications & Experience
  • Essential:
    10+ years of experience leading control systems projects and managing teams within relevant industrial environments.
  • Essential:
    Front-end engineering experience including project scope development, control system philosophy, systems architecture, process safety studies, SIL determination, P&ID development, and TIC estimating.
  • Essential:
    Experience programming and configuring Honeywell Experion DCS.
  • Essential:
    Experience programming and configuring PLC platforms, preferably Rockwell.
  • Essential:
    Strong capability in developing Total Installed Cost estimates for capital projects, including material take-offs and use of estimating tools.
  • Essential:
    Ability to produce process automation and basic I&C deliverables, including specifications, indexes, datasheets, cause and effect diagrams, architecture documents, and wiring drawings.
  • Essential:
    Detailed design experience covering selection, specification, and procurement of field instrumentation and BPCS/SIS systems.
  • Essential:
    Field experience supporting construction management, FAT, SAT, commissioning, and handover.
  • Essential:
    Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline such as Electrical, Instrumentation Computer Systems, or Chemical Engineering.
  • Desirable:
    Experience in mining, LNG, petrochemical, oil and gas, or nuclear sectors.
  • Desirable:
    Knowledge of Honeywell TDC and Triconex.
  • Desirable:
    Experience with Cleopatra estimating software.
  • Desirable:
    P.E. licence.
About the Company
This company is an established provider of engineering, procurement, and construction management services, with operations supporting major domestic and international projects. The company has developed recognised capability across refining, sulphur technology, arctic development, subsea systems, deepwater facilities, nuclear power, and renewable energy. This breadth of project exposure offers a technically challenging environment for a Principal Process Automation Engineer seeking complex, high-impact work.
About Airswift
Airswift is an international workforce solutions provider within the energy, process and infrastructure industries. Airswift serves as a strategic partner to our clients, offering a turnkey workforce solution to capture and deliver the top talent needed to complete successful projects by aligning with the unique needs of our clients. With over 1000 employees and 9,000 contractors operating in over 60 countries, our geographical reach and pool of talent available is unmatched in the industry and the level of experience, exposure, and expertise that the organization has is unparalleled. If you would like to be considered for this role and would like further details, please apply now!
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