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. Job Responsibilities: * 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 Experience Required: * 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