Principal Industrial Automation & Controls Engineer

Voyager is an innovative space, defense, and national security technology company committed to advancing and delivering transformative, mission-critical solutions. We tackle the most complex challenges to unlock new frontiers for human progress, fortify national security, and protect critical assets to lead in the race for technological and operational superiority from ground to space.  Forge the Future: Join Voyager Technologies   The future belongs to those who build it. At Voyager Technologies, we’re building technologies that protect lives, expand frontiers and prepare us for what’s next. And we’re doing that with people who are wired to solve, build, adapt and lead. These roles are not for the faint of heart.   You’ll help lay the foundation for humanity's future. Join a culture where innovation thrives, curiosity is rewarded, and impact is real. We’re a company of doers, thinkers and builders, united by purpose and grounded in reality.  If you want to put your skills to work where the stakes are real and the mission is bigger than any one person,  forge the future with Voyager.   The Principal Industrial Automation and Controls Engineer will be located onsite in Pueblo, CO and reports to the Production Technology Development Engineering Manager. This role serves as the deepest technical authority on automation and controls at Voyager Energetics — defining standards, resolving the hardest engineering problems, and setting the technical direction for automation systems across solid rocket motor production and energetic materials manufacturing. In this role, the essential functions are: Serve as one of the organization’s principal technical authorities on industrial automation and controls — establishing standards, architectural patterns, and design guidelines while actively mentoring engineers across the automation and controls group, building team capability and elevating the technical rigor of the broader organization. Lead the design, programming, commissioning, and continuous improvement of PLC-based control systems and robotic integration across multiple hardware platforms, including ladder logic, structured text, and function block development across vendor platforms (Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, Fanuc, and others). Define and drive the automation technology roadmap — evaluating emerging platforms including machine vision, machine learning-driven process optimization, and advanced robotics — and translate that 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 to implement statistical process control (SPC) and plant-wide optimization. Design HMI/SCADA systems with an emphasis on 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, spanning short-term R&D and long-term production programs. Provide authoritative technical guidance, peer review, and mentorship across the automation and controls group — elevating team capability and setting the standard for engineering rigor, documentation quality, and safety culture. If your experience aligns with our basic qualifications and you are inspired by our mission, we’d like to connect. If you don’t see the right role right now, Join Our Talent Community and stay connected as we continue to build what’s next. Basic Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related engineering discipline with 10 years of experience in industrial automation and controls OR Master’s degree in a relevant field with 8 years of experience OR 14 years of hands-on automation and controls experience in lieu of a degree. Recognized technical authority in PLC ladder logic programming, structured text, and function block development across multiple vendor platforms (e.g., Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, AutomationDirect, Fanuc, Mitsubishi, or equivalent), with a 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 a 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