Principal Controls Engineer

Tulsa, OK | Full-Time | Monday-Friday | On-Site

About the Role

We're partnering with an established industrial manufacturer seeking a Principal Controls Engineer to serve as a senior technical authority for electrical control systems used in custom-engineered equipment. This is a hands-on technical leadership position for an experienced controls engineer who can tackle complex design challenges while also helping establish engineering standards, improve design quality, and strengthen controls capabilities across the organization. You'll work across Engineering, Applications, Estimating, Quality, Project Management, Manufacturing, and Operations to evaluate technical requirements, review complex designs, solve problems, and ensure control systems are engineered to the appropriate codes and customer specifications.

Responsibilities

• Controls Engineering & Technical Leadership
  • Provide senior-level technical direction for electrical control system design and development.
  • Evaluate customer specifications and project requirements to determine appropriate control strategies.
  • Review complex electrical control designs and provide technical approval prior to production release.
  • Identify technical risks, design gaps, and engineering requirements early in the project lifecycle.
  • Serve as a technical resource for complex controls and electrical engineering issues.
  • Interpret customer and vendor schematics, control drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
  • Provide technical guidance to Engineering, Applications, Estimating, Quality, Project Management, and other internal teams.
• Design Standards & Engineering Quality
  • Establish and maintain engineering standards, design practices, and technical guidelines for control systems.
  • Develop standardized design tools, templates, and review processes.
  • Lead technical quality initiatives focused on electrical control system design.
  • Review engineering work for accuracy, consistency, manufacturability, and compliance.
  • Identify opportunities to improve engineering efficiency, quality, and repeatability.
  • Investigate design and quality issues and determine appropriate corrective actions.
  • Help establish and monitor engineering performance metrics and KPIs.
• Industrial Electrical Systems
  • Support the design and integration of industrial electrical control systems.
  • Apply knowledge of industrial automation, control panels, electrical equipment, and power distribution.
  • Evaluate protection and control requirements for industrial electrical systems.
  • Provide technical guidance involving medium-voltage systems and industrial power distribution when applicable.
  • Support electrical equipment integration and control system interfaces.
  • Evaluate new technologies and engineering methods that can improve system performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Codes, Standards & Compliance
  • Ensure control system designs meet applicable electrical codes, safety standards, and customer requirements.
  • Apply requirements associated with the National Electrical Code (NEC / NFPA 70).
  • Apply NFPA 79 requirements where applicable.
  • Maintain familiarity with UL 508A requirements for industrial control panels.
  • Review designs and documentation for compliance before release.
  • Stay current with applicable industrial electrical and safety standards.
• Cross-Functional Technical Support
  • Work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Project Management, Applications, and Estimating.
  • Provide technical direction when project teams encounter complex electrical or controls challenges.
  • Help resolve design questions, specification conflicts, and technical issues.
  • Support engineering and manufacturing teams with practical solutions that balance performance, quality, cost, and manufacturability.
  • Communicate technical risks and recommendations clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Engineering Development & Mentorship
  • Mentor engineers and designers through complex controls and electrical design challenges.
  • Provide technical feedback and guidance to improve engineering capabilities.
  • Help develop consistent engineering practices across the controls function.
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives throughout Engineering and Manufacturing.
  • Evaluate emerging technologies and methods that may strengthen future control system capabilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Significant experience designing industrial electrical control systems.
• Strong understanding of electrical schematics, control drawings, and engineering documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to independently review and approve complex electrical control designs.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and technical problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to explain complex technical concepts to both engineering and non-engineering personnel.
• Experience providing technical direction, mentorship, or engineering leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

Ideal Industry Background: Industrial Controls, Industrial Automation, Custom-Engineered Equipment, Manufacturing, Electrical Control Panels, Industrial Power Distribution, Protection & Control Systems, Medium-Voltage Systems, Electrical Equipment Integration, Engineered-to-Order Equipment.

Additional Experience That Stands Out: Protection and control systems, medium-voltage electrical equipment, industrial power distribution, industrial automation and control panels, custom equipment design, engineering quality systems, corrective action and root-cause processes, development of engineering standards, design review processes, technical leadership or mentorship of engineers and designers.

Certifications: UL 508A Manufacturer Technical Representative (MTR) certification is required or must be obtained within 12 months of employment. A Professional Engineer (PE) license is preferred.

Work Environment

This position is based within an industrial manufacturing environment with regular interaction between Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Operations. The role combines engineering and technical design work with exposure to an active production facility and custom-engineered equipment. PPE is required when entering designated production areas. The manufacturing environment may include typical industrial conditions such as machinery, electrical equipment, fabrication activities, elevated noise, dust, and varying temperatures.

Benefits

• Competitive Salary: $120,000-$135,000, depending on experience
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Vacation, Personal Time & Holidays
• Life & Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Ongoing Training & Career Growth Opportunities

Eligible candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship.