Principal Controls Engineer, Manufacturing Automation (Onsite)

Date Posted:

2026-09-02

 Country:

United States of America

 Location:

US-ME-NORTH BERWICK-113 ~ 113 Wells St ~ WELLS, Rte 9

 Position Role Type:

Onsite

 U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

 Security Clearance Type:

DoD Clearance: Secret

 Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required after day 1

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power systems and has been revolutionizing modern flight for over 100 years. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

What You Will Do:

We are seeking a highly skilled Principal Controls Engineer, Manufacturing Automation to design, develop, program, deploy, and support advanced automation equipment used in aerospace manufacturing. This is a hands-on engineering role with significant responsibility for taking automation concepts from initial identification and development through commissioning and production deployment.

The Principal Controls Engineer, Manufacturing Automation will bring controls engineering fundamentals and demonstrated proficiency in industrial robotic programming, along with experience integrating robots, PLCs, motion systems, safety systems, sensors, and other industrial automation technologies.

The Principal Controls Engineer, Manufacturing Automation will support both new automation projects and existing production systems, working closely with mechanical engineers, manufacturing engineers, technicians, and production personnel to deliver reliable, capable, and maintainable equipment.

Identify opportunities for automation and develop controls solutions that improve manufacturing capability, quality, safety, throughput, and cost

Lead the controls portion of 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 applications; develop robotic programs, routines, sequencing, tool paths, I/O integration, and robot-to-machine communications

Integrate robots with PLCs, vision systems, servo/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 and resolve complex equipment problems with a methodical, hands-on approach; improve existing automation systems through controls upgrades, cycle-time improvements, reliability improvements, and capability enhancements

Develop electrical/control system documentation, software standards, backups, and other technical documentation; work collaboratively with manufacturing engineers to ensure controls solutions effectively 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 across automation systems

Stay current with emerging robotics, controls, and automation technologies and identify opportunities to apply them within aerospace manufacturing; provide technical guidance and support to controls technicians and other engineering personnel

Travel periodically for equipment installation, commissioning, and customer support

Qualifications You Must Have:

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related engineering discipline

Demonstrated experience in industrial automation and controls engineering

Proficiency in industrial robotic programming and integration with demonstrated 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 a U.S. government-issued Secret Clearance.

Qualifications We Prefer:

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.

PLC programming with platforms such as Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar

Servo and multi-axis motion control

Machine vision and robotic vision integration

Industrial Ethernet and device communications

Functional machine safety and safety PLCs

Automated material handling and robotic manufacturing processes

CNC, machining, assembly, inspection, or other aerospace manufacturing automation

Controls system architecture and electrical panel design

Please ensure the role type defined below is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role. This position is classified as:

Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.

Candidates will learn more about role type and current site status throughout the recruiting process. For onsite and hybrid roles, commuting to and from the assigned site is the employee’s personal responsibility.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 107,500 USD - 204,500 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, 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, and holid