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 holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.

Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.

This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.

RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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