Principal Electrical Controls Engineer
Jabil
Principal Electrical Controls Engineer
Jabil
Designs and builds electronics for other brands
How will you make an impact?
We are seeking a highly experienced and innovative Principal Controls Engineer to lead the development, optimization and implementation of advanced control systems across critical infrastructure products and automation platforms. This role is critical to ensuring the performance, reliability, and scalability of critical systems, with a strong emphasis on data center infrastructure, power/energy management, and industrial automation.
This role will involve designing and developing wiring harness systems, including schematic creation, harness architecture, panel layout, developing specifications, selecting key components, and transitioning design to manufacturing. Furthermore, the position includes leading test process implementation and ensuring equipment alignment to maintain the highest standards of operational excellence and reliability.
Job Title: Principal Electrical Controls Engineer
Organization: Data Center Infrastructure (DCI) Team
Location:Remote* OR Austin, TX
*Requires up to 25% domestic and/or international travel (rare)
What will you do?
Define and own the control system architecture across multiple platforms, including PLCs, BMS, EPMS, and ATS systems, ensuring scalability, reliability, and maintainability.
Develop detailed control system specifications, functional design documents, and interface definitions for all subsystems.
Proficiency in PLC/SCADA programming, HMI development, and system integration with IT networks and facility equipment.
Ability to read and create BOMs. visual aids, electrical schematics, control diagrams, and sequence of operations.
Define control logic, sensor integration, and communication protocols (e.g., Modbus, BACnet, SNMP) for intelligent power and cooling management.
Validate control systems through simulation, testing, and commissioning to ensure reliability, safety, and responsiveness.
Experience with critical infrastructure systems: UPS, generators, switchgear, chillers, CRAC/CRAH units, fire suppression systems.
Lead Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) for new projects and revisions.
Drive the development of system-level simulations and digital twins to validate control strategies before deployment
Architect integration strategies for control systems with enterprise platforms such as SCADA, CMMS, and cloud-based monitoring tools
Establish design patterns and best practices for modular and reusable control logic across projects
Lead root cause analysis and resolution of complex control system issues during commissioning and operations
Evaluate emerging technologies and automation trends to continuously improve system performance and efficiency
Develop and maintain documentation for system architecture, control logic, and operational procedures
Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, software, and facilities engineering teams to ensure seamless integration of control systems with physical infrastructure
Work closely with cross functional teams to align control system designs with business requirements, timelines, and operational constraints
Facilitate design reviews, technical workshops, and cross-functional planning sessions to ensure alignment and transparency across engineering disciplines
Support commissioning and field teams during deployment, troubleshooting, and optimization of control systems
How will you get here?
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering or a relevant engineering discipline.
Experience:
8+ years pf experience in control system design and implementation
Deep expertise in the following:
PLC programming (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider Electric)
Building Management Systems (BMS) integration and optimization
Electrical Power Monitoring Systems (EPMS/EDPM) for real-time energy analytics
Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS) control and failover logic
Strong proficiency in control theory, system modeling, and simulation tools (MATLAB/Simulink)
Experience with industrial protocols (Modbus, BACnet, OPC UA, Ethernet/IP)
Familiarity with NFPA, IEC, and ISO standards related to control systems and safety.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Creative, self-motivated, accountable, and team-oriented
Able to work independently with minimal oversight as part of a global team
Proficient in reading, analyzing, and interpreting general business publications, professional journals, technical procedures, and government regulations
Skilled in writing reports, business correspondence, and procedural guides
Effective at presenting information and responding to management, clients, and public queries
Capable of influencing others and sharing best practices while mentoring less experienced engineers
Capable of assessing projects, articulating risks, and developing project milestones
Familiar with stage-gate processes in project lifecycle management (PLCM)
Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail
Experience in EPlan, WindChill, SolidWorks, and DevOps are a plus
Experience with hyperscale or colocation data center environments
Familiarity with low and medium-voltage systems
Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering or a relevant engineering discipline
Active Professional Engineer (PE) license
Experience in mission-critical environments such as data centers, manufacturing, or energy systems.
Experience with digital twin modeling and predictive maintenance strategies.
About the Data Center Infrastructure (DCI) Team:
The DCI team consists of technical subject matter experts who specialize in end-to-end large scale physical infrastructure that powers and enables modern data centers. This includes power distribution systems such as transformers, substations, generators, switchgear, switch panels, busways, ATS units, EDPM, BMS systems, and control panels, as well as cooling solutions ranging from traditional evaporative and indirect cooling systems to emerging liquid cooling technologies including chillers, heat exchangers, CDUs, pumps, and secondary fluid networks. The team also addresses the mechanical structures that house these systems - hot aisle containment, steel enclosures, blanking panels, cable trays, and fiber and networking infrastructure.
The DCI team operates as a cross-industry center of excellence, partnering primarily with various cloud providers across the industry. Team members function as deeply technical subject matter experts who engage directly with customers and supply chain partners to assess requirements, identify challenges, and design infrastructure solutions end-to-end. The ideal contributor brings engineering-level expertise in either power or cooling disciplines, a working knowledge of the full infrastructure dependency chain, and the ability to translate that expertise into clear recommendations and collaborative problem-solving with both technical and business stakeholders.
The pay range for this role is $132,400 - $238,400. Job-related, non-discriminatory factors used to determine the actual offered rate include qualifications and experience, geographic location, education, external market data, and consideration of internal equity. The anticipated close date of this job requisition is: December 31, 2026.As part of the total rewards package, this position is eligible for a short-term incentive based on performance. In addition, Jabil offers benefits to enhance your health, wealth, and resilient self. These include medical, dental, and vision insurance plans; paid time off accruing at a rate of 3.07 hours during your first year of employment; 4 weeks of paid parental leave; in 2027, 11 company-paid holidays (9 fixed holidays and 2 optional floating holidays), subject to change yearly; 401(k) retirement plan; and employee stock purchase plan.BE AWARE OF FRAUD: When applying for a job at Jabil you will be contacted via correspondence through our official job portal with a jabil.com e-mail address; direct phone call from a member of the Jabil team; or direct e-mail with a jabil.com e-mail address. Jabil does not request payments for interviews or at any other point during the hiring process. Jabil will not ask for your personal identifying information such as a social security number, birth certificate, financial institution, driver’s license number or passport information over the phone or via e-mail. If you believe you are a victim of identity theft, contact the Federal Bureau of Investigations internet crime hotline (www.ic3.gov), the Federal Trade Commission identity theft hotline (www.identitytheft.gov) and/or your local police department. Any scam job listings should be reported to whatever website it was posted in.Jabil, including its subsidiaries, is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Jabil designs and manufactures electronics and other products for companies that sell them under their own brands, including makers of AI data center hardware, medical devices, cars, and defense systems. Customers bring a product idea or design, and Jabil handles the engineering, sources the parts, builds the product at scale, and manages the supply chain behind it. The work runs through a global network of factories, so one partner can build products for customers across many markets, from data center racks to medical equipment. Jabil earns revenue through manufacturing and engineering service contracts with these brands. The company was founded in 1966 and is based in St. Petersburg, Florida.
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