Principal Controls & Automation Engineer / Start-up

Boston , MAHybridFull Time$160k - $210kJoin an innovative Cambridge-based technology company developing next-generation industrial process systems and automation platforms. This full-time opportunity is ideal for a electrical engineer who thrives at the intersection of controls, instrumentation, electrical systems, and manufacturing. You'll work on cutting-edge automation technology, owning systems from concept through commissioning and helping scale breakthrough hardware from pilot operations to production environments. This is a rare opportunity to be one of the key technical leaders in a fast-moving startup environment. We're looking for someone who enjoys rolling up their sleeves, solving complex challenges, and taking ownership from design through deployment. You'll have significant influence over automation strategy, work directly with vendors and customers, and help shape the technical direction of the company. If you're looking for a role with visibility, autonomy, and the ability to make a measurable impact, this is it. Required Skills & Experience 10+ years of experience in Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field Experience designing, building, commissioning, and supporting industrial automation systems Strong PLC programming experience (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Beckhoff, or similar) Experience with HMI and SCADA platforms Instrumentation, sensors, motors, drives, and process controls experience Hands-on troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills Experience working with external vendors, OEMs, integrators, and manufacturing partners Ability to independently drive projects from concept through deployment Experience working in fast-paced engineering environments Desired Skills & Experience Startup or high-growth company experience Ignition, FactoryTalk, DeltaV, or similar automation platforms Electrical control panel design and review Process automation, manufacturing, or chemical processing experience Pilot plant or scale-up experience Industrial networking experience (EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, Profinet, OPC-UA) MES, data acquisition, or systems integration experience Experience mentoring junior engineers What You Will Be Doing Tech Breakdown 40% PLC / Controls Engineering 20% SCADA / HMI Development 15% Instrumentation & Electrical Systems 15% Commissioning & Startup Activities 10% Vendor & System Integration Support Daily Responsibilities 70% Hands On Engineering 10% Management / Technical Leadership 20% Team Collaboration Responsibilities Lead automation and controls architecture for pilot and production systems Design, implement, and troubleshoot PLC, HMI, SCADA, and instrumentation systems Partner with external vendors, contractors, and OEMs on equipment integration Generate and review functional specifications, I/O lists, control narratives, and commissioning documentation Support factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), startup, and commissioning activities Collaborate with Process, Mechanical, Manufacturing, and Software Engineering teams Drive continuous improvement and system reliability initiatives Mentor junior engineers and contribute to engineering best practices The Offer Competitive Base Salary Bonus Eligible Equity / Stock Options You Will Receive The Following Benefits Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance Paid Vacation Time Paid Holidays 401(k) Stock Options / Equity Participation Professional Development Opportunities High Visibility and Career Growth within a Scaling Organization Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis now and in the future.