Principal Controls Engineer, Manufacturing Automation (Onsite)

RTX•Wells, ME

5d•$107,500 - $204,500•Onsite

About The Position

Pratt & Whitney is seeking a highly skilled Principal Controls Engineer to design, develop, program, deploy, and support advanced automation equipment used in aerospace manufacturing. This hands-on engineering role takes automation concepts from initial identification and development through commissioning and production deployment. The engineer applies controls engineering fundamentals and industrial robotic programming expertise while integrating robots, PLCs, motion systems, safety systems, sensors, and other industrial automation technologies. The position supports both new automation projects and existing production systems, collaborating with mechanical engineers, manufacturing engineers, technicians, and production personnel to deliver reliable, capable, and maintainable equipment. The role is onsite in North Berwick, Maine, and requires periodic travel for equipment installation, commissioning, and customer support. U.S. citizenship and an active Secret clearance after the first day are required; candidates must hold or be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. government-issued Secret clearance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related engineering discipline, with 8 years of relevant experience.
Demonstrated experience in industrial automation and controls engineering.
Proficiency in industrial robotic programming and integration, including the ability to independently develop and troubleshoot robot applications.
Experience programming and troubleshooting PLC-based control systems.
Experience with industrial robots from one or more major platforms, such as FANUC, ABB, or similar.
Understanding of PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, motion control, servo systems, machine safety, sensors, and industrial electrical systems.
Demonstrated experience reading and interpreting electrical schematics and controls documentation.
Experience taking an automation system from concept through development, commissioning, and production deployment.
Experience diagnosing complex hardware and software issues in a manufacturing environment.
Hold a current U.S. government-issued Secret clearance or be eligible to obtain and maintain one; an active and existing clearance is required after day one.
U.S. citizenship is required because only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience with machine vision, data collection, MES/SCADA, or advanced manufacturing systems.
Experience developing reusable controls software, programming standards, and automation libraries.
Advanced industrial robot programming and offline programming experience.
PLC programming with Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar platforms.
Servo and multi-axis motion-control experience.
Machine vision and robotic vision integration experience.
Industrial Ethernet and device communications experience.
Functional machine safety and safety PLC experience.
Experience with automated material handling and robotic manufacturing processes.
Experience with CNC, machining, assembly, inspection, or other aerospace manufacturing automation.
Controls system architecture and electrical panel design experience.

Responsibilities

Identify automation opportunities and develop controls solutions to improve manufacturing capability, quality, safety, throughput, and cost.
Lead controls work on new automation projects from concept and system architecture through programming, integration, commissioning, and production deployment.
Develop and maintain PLC programs, HMI applications, motion-control systems, safety systems, and machine-control architectures.
Program, integrate, troubleshoot, and optimize industrial robots for aerospace manufacturing, including robot routines, sequencing, tool paths, I/O integration, and robot-to-machine communications.
Integrate robots with PLCs, vision systems, servo and motion systems, tooling, sensors, safety devices, and other automation equipment.
Develop machine sequences, state logic, interlocks, fault handling, diagnostics, and operator interfaces.
Commission new automation equipment and troubleshoot systems during development, installation, and production ramp-up.
Provide technical support for existing automated manufacturing systems, including troubleshooting controls, robotics, electrical, and software issues.
Diagnose complex equipment problems using a methodical, hands-on approach and improve systems through controls upgrades, cycle-time improvements, reliability improvements, and capability enhancements.
Develop electrical and controls documentation, software standards, backups, and other technical documentation.
Collaborate with manufacturing engineers to ensure controls solutions support the overall machine and manufacturing process.
Support equipment installation, startup, validation, and acceptance at internal and customer locations as required.
Establish and maintain programming and controls standards to improve consistency, reliability, and maintainability.
Stay current with robotics, controls, and automation technologies and identify opportunities to apply them in aerospace manufacturing.
Provide technical guidance and support to controls technicians and other engineering personnel.
Travel periodically for equipment installation, commissioning, and customer support.

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Life insurance
Short-term disability
Long-term disability
401(k) match
Flexible spending accounts
Flexible work schedules
Employee assistance program
Employee Scholar Program
Parental leave
Paid time off
Holidays
Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be available, depending on position level and collective-bargaining coverage.