Principal Controls Engineer

Job Title: Principal Controls Engineer
Location: Petaluma CA
Work Type: Fulltime/Onsite
Work Authorization: Only US Citizens/Green Card Holders

Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Principal Controls Engineer to help develop improve and support advanced industrial process systems. This role involves designing and programming control systems supporting field operations troubleshooting equipment and helping scale products from development to manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities
Design program test and troubleshoot control systems and controls hardware.
Support pilot projects and field operations.
Provide electrical and controls support for laboratory equipment.
Assist with manufacturing and product development efforts.
Improve system performance reliability and cost efficiency.
Work with pumps heaters motors instrumentation and process equipment.
Design control panels wiring systems and automation solutions.
Support system startup commissioning and field troubleshooting.
Develop and maintain PLC and SCADA programs.
Implement safety systems and controls best practices.

Required Qualifications
Bachelors degree or higher in Electrical Mechanical Chemical Engineering or a related field.
Extensive experience in process control power generation combustion manufacturing multiphase fluid systems or related industries.
Hands-on experience troubleshooting industrial process equipment.
Experience with safety system design and implementation.
Experience with Siemens Allen-Bradley/Rockwell AVEVA or similar SCADA and controls platforms.
Strong PLC programming skills using Ladder Logic Structured Text and/or Function Blocks.
Experience with MODBUS Profinet and industrial communication protocols.
Experience working with PLCs HMIs drives I/O modules and controls hardware.
Experience with control panel and wiring design.
Experience supporting field pilot operations.
Experience working in industrial R&D environments preferably with hardware-based products or startups.

Preferred Qualifications
Experience with process and controls simulation.
Leadership or team management experience.
Experience with high-pressure and/or high-temperature systems such as SCWO oil & gas nuclear or aerospace systems.
Experience using Autodesk SolidWorks Ansys Python or similar engineering software.

Ideal Candidate
Hands-on problem solver with strong troubleshooting skills.
Detail-oriented and focused on quality and safety.
Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
Able to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
Self-driven innovative and capable of solving complex technical challenges.

• Competitive compensation package
• Equity/stock option opportunity
• Comprehensive medical dental and vision insurance
• Paid time off and company holidays