Principal Industrial Controls Engineer

Symbotic

. Define and own the architecture, technical strategy, and lifecycle roadmap for industrial controls and simulation platforms across Symbotic products and deployments .

Posted 9/30/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesLead💰 $180,000 - $247,500 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expert-level knowledge in Rockwell Automation PLC platforms, motion control, and industrial communication protocols, while leading the architecture and lifecycle management of modular, reusable control systems. Proven ability to mentor engineers and simplify complex systems through effective communication and stakeholder management.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Rockwell Automation PLC ExpertiseSimulation And Virtual CommissioningHMI/SCADA ArchitecturePlatform Lifecycle ManagementTechnical Leadership And Mentoring

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Controls Architecture DefinitionModular DesignAutomated TestingVersion ControlCode ReviewCI/CDDiagnosticsTechnical Debt ManagementConfiguration ManagementRelease Governance

Soft Skills

Excellent CommunicationMentoringStakeholder ManagementProblem-SolvingTeam Leadership

Tools & Technologies

Inductive Automation IgnitionHMI/SCADA SolutionsDigital TwinsSoftware-In-The-Loop TestingHardware-In-The-Loop Testing

Industry Keywords

Industrial ControlsOT NetworkingSafety SystemsIndustrial ProtocolsPlatform CapabilitiesTechnical StrategyLifecycle RoadmapCross-System TroubleshootingPerformance FeedbackCareer Development

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Cyber Security

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Define and own the architecture, technical strategy, and lifecycle roadmap for industrial controls and simulation platforms across Symbotic products and deployments
Establish modular, reusable PLC platform capabilities, libraries, templates, interfaces, and configuration standards
Drive simplification by reducing one-off solutions and platform variants, clarifying system boundaries, eliminating duplication, and leading migration plans
Provide hands-on technical leadership for Rockwell Automation PLCs, motion control, safety systems, OT networking, industrial protocols, and HMI/SCADA solutions
Lead simulation and virtual-commissioning strategy, including digital twins, software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop testing, automated regression, and deterministic scenario coverage
Manage platform health through versioning, compatibility, release governance, diagnostics, observability, cybersecurity, quality metrics, technical-debt reduction, and deprecation planning
Architect and govern interfaces among PLC controls, electrical systems, robotics, embedded systems, simulation, and higher-level software
Lead architecture and design reviews, document key decisions, and communicate risks and technical tradeoffs
Prototype and de-risk new controls concepts, then guide transition into supported, production-ready platform capabilities
Lead troubleshooting and root-cause analysis for complex, cross-system, or high-impact issues and convert findings into systemic improvements
Mentor engineers and raise technical capability through coaching, standards, technical forums, and reusable guidance
May directly manage one or two engineers, including 1:1s, goal setting, performance feedback, and career development
Influence portfolio priorities and partner with product, systems, software, electrical, test, deployment, and operations leaders to align platform investments with business needs

Requirements

What you’ll need

Minimum of 12 years of related experience or equivalent work experience
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or a related field
Expert-level knowledge of Rockwell Automation PLC platforms, motion control, safety PLC systems, OT networking, and industrial communication protocols
Demonstrated experience defining controls architectures and reusable platform capabilities deployed across multiple products, programs, or sites
Deep experience with simulation and virtual commissioning, including digital twins, software-in-the-loop or hardware-in-the-loop testing, automated regression, and scenario-based validation
Strong knowledge of HMI/SCADA architecture and development; experience with Inductive Automation Ignition is preferred
Experience managing platform lifecycles, including roadmaps, release and compatibility strategies, configuration management, observability, cybersecurity, technical debt, and deprecation planning
Strong software engineering practices applied to PLC development, including modular design, version control, code review, automated testing, CI/CD, diagnostics, and documentation
Ability to simplify complex systems, make sound architectural tradeoffs, and lead across organizational boundaries without relying on direct authority
Excellent communication, mentoring, and stakeholder-management skills; prior direct people-management experience is beneficial but not required
Must have a valid driver's license
Ability to drive and/or fly to client locations and company HQ
Ability to travel up to 60%

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Disability insurance
401K
PTO
Business travel expenses reimbursed based on program guidelines
Eligible employees may receive a corporate credit card based on role and travel requirements