Principal Application Controls Engineer
About The Position
The Principal Applications Engineer is a senior technical leader on the Advance Engineering team within PAR Systems’ Critical Handling Solutions (CHS) business unit. CHS serves industries including aerospace, nuclear test laboratories, commercial nuclear plants, and advanced manufacturing. The role develops engineered systems for mission-critical material handling, including applications such as handling fighter jets and precision positioning of nuclear reactors and launch vehicle assemblies. The position turns complex customer challenges into reliable, autonomous, precision-controlled handling solutions for extreme operating environments. It leads development of advanced RFQ technical concepts and integrated controls, software, and intelligent automation solutions. The engineer evaluates system architectures, engineering effort, and technical risk; develops technical proposals; and engages customers and technical stakeholders. The role also shapes technology roadmaps and research initiatives by evaluating and integrating technologies such as advanced controls, autonomous systems, simulation environments, digital twins, AI-enabled diagnostics, and industrial software platforms. It contributes to long-term growth strategies and PAR’s standing in intelligent material handling and mission-critical automation through technical publications, customer presentations, and industry conferences.
Requirements
- 10 or more years of relevant experience.
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Electrical, Software, Controls, Robotics, or a related field.
- Proven experience designing complex, high-performance automation and motion control systems.
- Ability to communicate sophisticated technical concepts professionally and comprehensively to audiences with varying levels of technical expertise.
- Experience developing RFQ concepts and architecting advanced technical solutions aligned with customer objectives.
- Skills in multidisciplinary system design, technical risk assessment, cost estimation, proposal development, and compliance with industry and quality standards.
- Strong background driving continuous improvement initiatives across engineering organizations.
- Knowledge of safety-critical system design, functional safety, and regulatory standards, including NQA-1.
- Experience negotiating technical contracts, defining system requirements, and managing intellectual property in collaboration with legal teams.
- Must be a US Person.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree in Engineering or a related field.
Responsibilities
- Lead development of advanced RFQ technical concepts and integrated controls, software, and intelligent automation solutions aligned with customer requirements.
- Evaluate system architectures, estimate engineering effort, and assess technical risks across multidisciplinary systems.
- Develop technical proposals that support strategic programs and advanced automation applications.
- Collaborate directly with customers and technical stakeholders to develop solutions and build trusted relationships.
- Lead evaluation and integration of emerging technologies, including advanced controls, autonomous systems, simulation environments, digital twins, AI-enabled diagnostics, and industrial software platforms.
- Shape technology roadmaps, research initiatives, and long-term growth strategies.
- Contribute to technical publications, customer presentations, and industry conferences.
Benefits
- Training and development from industry-leading experts.
- 401(k) with matching.
- Medical insurance.
- Dental insurance.
- Vision insurance.
- Disability insurance.
- Life insurance.
- Paid time off.
- Paid holidays.
- Parental leave for both parents.
- Tuition reimbursement.
- Bonus eligibility.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
