Principal Automation Engineer

Hoffman & Hoffman Inc•Raleigh, NC

About The Position

A Principal Automation Engineer is a senior technical leadership role responsible for overseeing complex automation programs and portfolios of projects across multi-system, plant-level, and enterprise environments. This individual operates with a high degree of technical authority, establishing engineering standards, approving system architecture, and serving as an escalation point for complex technical issues in support of the Principal Automation Engineer. A Principal Automation Engineer balances strategic organizational contributions—including technical training, standards governance, and business development support—with oversight of hands-on technical execution across multiple projects.

Requirements

10–15+ years of experience in industrial automation, instrumentation and controls, PLC/DDC programming, and control system architecture.
Demonstrated leadership experience across multiple large scale projects or multi-site programs.
Broad exposure to multiple automation platforms, building automation projects, multi-system integration, industrial networking architecture, and field commissioning.
Expert-level understanding of HVAC, BAS, and plant-level systems, with the ability to evaluate and recommend enterprise-wide system architecture and integration strategies.
Ability to establish control system architecture standards for large-scale or multi-site programs, and to provide final design review and approval in support of, or in the absence of, the Principal Automation Engineer.
Ability to define enterprise HMI/SCADA standards, templates, and graphics libraries, and to approve system architecture across multiple programs.
Ownership of PLC/DDC programming standards, reusable code libraries, and platform selection guidance; ability to approve technical scope and deliverables for complex, multi-system projects.
Expert-level understanding of industrial protocols and OT network design, with the ability to define enterprise OT network standards and align designs with cybersecurity requirements.
Ability to approve testing strategies, acceptance criteria, and commissioning plans across a portfolio of projects to ensure quality and performance objectives are met.
Ability to align engineering execution across a program or portfolio with long-term organizational goals and industry trends.
Excellent communication skills for managing client expectations, executive stakeholders, and cross-functional coordination across multiple projects.
Full ownership of technical quality, scope, schedule, and financial performance across a portfolio of concurrent projects.
Ability to train and mentor other engineering staff; contributes to organizational standards and training programs.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree (preferred) or Associate degree in any of the following fields: Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
Trade school certificates or equivalent technical training combined with relevant experience may also be considered.
Professional Engineering (PE) License is a plus.
Experience mentoring senior-level engineering staff and contributing to organizational engineering standards is preferred.
Advanced scripting ability in Python or Java is preferred.

Responsibilities

Establish control system architecture standards for large-scale or multi-site programs. Provide final technical review and approval in support of, or in the absence of, the Principal Automation Engineer.
Define enterprise HMI/SCADA standards, templates, and graphics libraries. Approve system architecture and graphics standards across multiple programs.
Own PLC/DDC programming standards, reusable code libraries, and platform selection guidance across programs. Approve technical scope and deliverables for complex, multi-system projects.
Approve testing strategies, acceptance criteria, and commissioning plans across a portfolio of projects to ensure quality and performance objectives are achieved. Travel may be required. Expect up to 30% travel, including regular overnight stays for non-local client sites and up to 100% travel to local client sites.
Own documentation standards and templates. Approve all types of project documentation across programs.
Develop and deliver technical training for the engineering team. Mentor Senior Automation Engineer, Lead Automation Engineer, and other engineering staff.
Support sales and management with client presentations, proposals, and scope development for large or strategic pursuits.
Follow all office and site safety procedures and participate in mandatory safety training (e.g., OSHA-10).
Perform periodic quality reviews of PLC programs, system architectures, and engineering submittals across a portfolio of projects.
Own scope, schedule, and financial performance across a portfolio of concurrent projects. Support enterprise-level project controls governance.