Lead​/Principal Controls Engineer

About this position

We are supporting a specialist systems integration company within the process industry who are seeking a Lead / Principal Engineer to take ownership of complex automation projects from concept through to completion. This is a senior technical and leadership role requiring strong full lifecycle experience across DCS-based control systems and the ability to guide multidisciplinary engineering teams through delivery.

• Lead the full lifecycle delivery of automation and control system projects within the process industry (concept, design, configuration, testing, commissioning, and handover)
• Act as technical authority for DCS-based control systems across multiple projects
• Manage and coordinate engineering teams, ensuring high-quality design and implementation standards
• Oversee system architecture design, control philosophy development, and functional specifications
• Interface directly with clients, stakeholders, and suppliers to define requirements and manage expectations
• Provide technical leadership during FAT/SAT, commissioning, and site acceptance phases
• Ensure projects are delivered in line with scope, schedule, budget, and safety standards
• Support continuous improvement of engineering processes, standards, and best practices

• Proven full lifecycle experience in control systems engineering within the process industry
• Strong background working with Distributed Control Systems (DCS) from design through to commissioning
• Demonstrated experience leading complex automation or control system projects
• Experience in a Lead Engineer, Principal Engineer, or similar technical leadership role
• Strong understanding of process control principles and industrial automation systems
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and lead engineering teams effectively
• Experience in client-facing roles, including technical presentations and solution definition