Principal Controls Engineer- Data Center

Barry-Wehmiller • Sacramento, CA

119d

About The Position

As a Principal Process Controls Engineer at Design Group, you will play a critical leadership role within the Control System Integration Practice. You will collaborate with seasoned leaders, technical specialists, and subject matter experts to deliver innovative, top-tier solutions to our clients and help define the direction and standards for process controls in the food & beverage industry. You will work individually and in teams to support capital projects and implement solutions for our clients, helping them make critical changes to improve their performance and realize their most important goals.

Requirements

• Minimum of 15 years of progressive process controls engineering experience, including significant leadership roles and client-facing responsibilities.
• Mastery of FactoryTalk Batch, Rockwell PlantPAx, and thorough understanding and application of ISA-88 (S88) batch process control standards.
• Substantial experience with process instrumentation, industrial networking, PLC/SCADA architectures, and integration with process systems.
• Demonstrated history of leading teams in the successful delivery of automation projects.
• Outstanding communication skills with the ability to inspire teams and engage with clients at executive and plant levels.
• Experience with proposal development, project estimation, and scope definition for controls projects.
• Aptitude for troubleshooting, creative problem solving, and delivering innovative technical solutions.
• Recognition as a technical leader or subject matter expert in professional or industry settings.
• Willingness to travel as required for project and client needs.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering (Master's and/or Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred).

Nice To Haves

• Participation in conferences or standards committees.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert and technical authority for process control systems, with mastery in FactoryTalk Batch, PlantPAx, and ISA-88 (S88) batch controls.
• Spearhead project teams through complex automation project life cycles, ensuring technical excellence and accountability across all phases.
• Mentor, develop, and review the work of engineers at all levels, elevating the technical expertise of the organization.
• Support the development and implementation of firmwide standards and best practices for process automation and controls in manufacturing environments.
• Partner directly with key clients to understand needs, define project requirements, articulate solutions, and build lasting relationships.
• Champion client-focused innovation, evaluating new technologies and creative approaches to deliver exceptional value.
• Participate in business development strategy, project opportunity reviews, and proposal preparation for high-value and complex projects.

Benefits

• Professional development resources and mentorships including First Year Experience program, Individual Development Plans, and Career Path resources.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees