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Salary: USD 140,000 - 170,000 / annual
Voyager Technologies is an innovative space, defense, and national security technology company developing mission-critical solutions for advancing human progress and fortifying national security.
The Principal Industrial Automation & Controls Engineer will serve as the deepest technical authority on automation and controls at Voyager Energetics, reporting to the Production Technology Development Engineering Manager. This is an onsite role in Pueblo, CO that defines standards, resolves complex engineering problems, and sets technical direction for automation systems across solid rocket motor production and energetic materials manufacturing.
Key Responsibilities:
- Serve as a principal technical authority on industrial automation and controls, establishing standards, architectural patterns, and design guidelines while mentoring engineers across the automation and controls group.
- Lead design, programming, commissioning, and continuous improvement of PLC-based control systems and robotic integration across multiple hardware platforms (Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, Fanuc, etc.), including ladder logic, structured text, and function block development.
- Define and drive the automation technology roadmap, evaluating emerging platforms such as machine vision, machine learning-driven process optimization, and advanced robotics, translating roadmap into deployable solutions that improve safety, yield, throughput, and quality.
- Design electrical systems compliant with NEC and UL508A regulations, including hazardous environment classifications (C1D1/C2D1), and physically build high-quality electrical cabinets and install field wiring to production standards.
- Design and implement plant networking architecture connecting sensors, valves, PLCs, and control room systems using analog (4-20 mA) and Ethernet protocols; design data architecture and processing systems for statistical process control (SPC) and plant-wide optimization.
- Design HMI/SCADA systems emphasizing operator simplicity, readability, and troubleshooting feedback; create and maintain schematics, documentation, and bills of materials for all electrical and control systems.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Manufacturing Development, Safety, and Compliance teams to embed automation and controls best practices across all phases of the product lifecycle.
- Provide authoritative technical guidance, peer review, and mentorship across the automation and controls group, elevating team capability and setting standards for engineering rigor, documentation quality, and safety culture.
Travel up to 15% within the continental United States, including possible overnights. Physical requirements include ability to lift up to 50 pounds and comfort with standing, walking, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, and crouching in a manufacturing environment with required personal protective equipment.
Candidates must meet eligibility requirements to obtain and maintain applicable state and federal explosives licenses, including minimum age of 21, drug-free workplace compliance, and successful background investigations. Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual, or eligible to obtain required ITAR authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related engineering discipline with 10 years of industrial automation and controls experience; OR Master's degree in relevant field with 8 years of experience; OR 14 years of hands-on automation and controls experience in lieu of degree.
- Recognized technical authority in PLC ladder logic programming, structured text, and function block development across multiple vendor platforms (Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, AutomationDirect, Fanuc, Mitsubishi, or equivalent), with demonstrated track record of resolving complex, cross-disciplinary automation challenges.
- Proven experience designing, integrating, and commissioning robotic systems in manufacturing environments, including robotic work cells, end-of-arm tooling, safety systems, and motion control.
- Expert-level knowledge of NEC and UL508A electrical design standards, including hazardous area classification (C1D1/C2D1), with hands-on experience building high-quality electrical cabinets and running field wiring to production standards.
- Deep proficiency in 4-20 mA and Ethernet-based plant networking, HMI/SCADA development, and data architecture for statistical process control (SPC) and plant-wide optimization.
- Strong self-starter with proven ability to define technical direction, establish standards, and drive complex programs to completion with minimal supervision in a fast-paced startup environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with energetic materials, explosives, or other hazardous manufacturing environments (C1D1/C2D1 or equivalent).
- Demonstrated experience applying machine learning or advanced analytics in manufacturing contexts, including vision-based inspection, predictive maintenance, or adaptive process control.
- Demonstrated experience creating and maintaining 2D electrical schematics and 3D CAD models (SolidWorks or equivalent) to production documentation standards.
- Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification (Green or Black Belt) with demonstrated application in automated production environments.
