Who We’re Seeking
IPS
is seeking a Principal Controls Engineer to serve as the senior
technical authority, system architect, and risk owner across complex custom
automation programs. This role requires deep hands‑on expertise across
electrical, controls, robotics, safety, and system integration, combined with
strong decision‑making authority and leadership presence. Salary range: $150,000–$190,000
The
Principal Controls Engineer is accountable for greenfield system architecture,
technical risk management, and final technical approval of delivered automation
systems.
Principal Controls Engineers at IPS set engineering direction,
define best practices, lead complex defense‑industry automation projects, and
ensure that all delivered systems meet the highest levels of performance,
safety, reliability, and security.
What You’ll Do
TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP AND ARCHITECTURE
·
Define end‑to‑end automation architectures for
greenfield and brownfield systems, including PLC structure, motion control,
robotics, safety systems, SCADA strategy, and industrial networks.
·
Establish control philosophies, system
partitioning, and interface strategies before detailed design begins.
·
Create, maintain, and enforce engineering
standards, reusable libraries, and design methodologies across programs.
·
Serve as the highest‑level technical escalation
point for complex system behavior and integration challenges.
SYSTEM OWNERSHIP, RISK, AND GOVERNANCE
·
Own system‑level technical risk from concept
through commissioning and production handoff.
·
Lead formal technical risk assessments during
early design phases.
·
Identify and mitigate single‑point failures,
unsafe states, and integration risks across mechanical, electrical, controls,
and software domains.
·
Lead and approve FMEA, PFMEA, hazard analyses,
and safety architecture decisions.
·
Define fault handling, degraded operation, and
recovery strategies for critical systems.
·
Serve as final technical authority to approve or
reject designs based on safety, reliability, or system risk.
ELECTRICAL ARCHITECTURE LEADERSHIP
·
Demonstrate mastery of power distribution,
grounding, bonding, and control power strategies.
·
Review and approve control panel architectures,
MCC integration, and power protection schemes.
·
Evaluate electrical safety considerations
including arc‑flash, short‑circuit risk, and fault protection.
·
Ensure electrical designs support system
reliability, maintainability, and efficient commissioning.
ADVANCED CONTROLS AND COMMISSIONING
·
Architect highly complex PLC, safety, and motion
applications for large‑scale turnkey systems.
·
Lead or oversee multi‑machine and full‑facility
commissioning efforts.
·
Define commissioning strategies, startup
sequencing, and system acceptance criteria.
·
Serve as escalation authority during startup and
authorize system readiness for customer acceptance.
MENTORSHIP AND ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP
·
Mentor senior and junior engineers through
design reviews, code reviews, and technical coaching.
·
Guide development of future technical leaders
and controls subject‑matter experts.
·
Act as technical liaison with customers, defense
partners, and internal leadership.
REGULATORY AND CYBERSECURITY OVERSIGHT
·
Ensure all systems comply with UL, NFPA, ISO
13849, and applicable customer safety requirements.
·
Guide compliance with DoD cybersecurity
requirements for industrial control systems.
·
Define and validate secure network segmentation,
access control, and system hardening strategies.
ORGANIZATIONAL AUTHORITY
·
Empowered to halt, redirect, or re‑scope
engineering work when technical risk, safety, or system integrity is
compromised.
Who You Are (Requirements)
·
15+ years of experience in automation, with
leadership on large‑scale custom systems.
·
Deep, authoritative expertise in PLCs, motion
control, robotics, industrial networks, and safety systems.
·
Mastery of AutoCAD Electrical and full control
system architecture.
·
Experienced technical mentor with history of
growing engineering talent.
·
Ability to lead multiple complex automation
projects simultaneously.
·
Strong customer‑facing communication and
leadership presence.
·
Experience in defense, energetics, or government‑funded
systems strongly preferred.
What We Provide:
·
Competitive base salary (commensurate with
experience) and performance-based incentives.
·
Generous employer contribution to the Employee
portion of medical insurance (75+%).
·
Dental, Vision, and Gap insurance offered.
·
Employer-paid Life insurance and Short-Term
Disability.
·
401(k) employer match and immediately vested.
·
Generous paid time off policy.
IPS Custom Automation is an EEO Employer - M/F/Disability/Protected
Veteran Status
The information listed above is not a comprehensive list of all
duties/responsibilities performed. This job description is not an employment
agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job
description at any time without notice.
Any physical and mental requirements described in this job description
are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully
perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be
made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions.
IPS Custom Automation is an EEO
Employer - M/F/Disability/Protected Veteran Status
IPS Custom Automation is an EEO Employer - M/F/Disability/Protected Veteran Status