Controls engineer Jobs in Centennial, CO

Job Title: Principal Engineer, Controls Software
Job Description

The Principal Engineer, Controls Software leads the design, development, and validation of gas turbine engine control systems across both software and hardware domains. This role owns the full controls lifecycle—from requirements definition, modeling, and simulation through hardware/software integration, test leadership, and system validation—while providing strong technical leadership in a fast-paced, mission-driven aerospace environment focused on advanced additive-manufactured jet engines.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and validation of engine control system software, including control laws, modeling, and simulation to support gas turbine engine performance targets.
• Define and document software requirements for engine control systems, ensuring traceability from system-level requirements to implementation.
• Develop control software code and block diagrams, using modeling tools to accurately represent control logic and system behavior.
• Analyze test vectors and simulation results to predict engine behavior and verify that control laws meet performance, stability, and safety requirements.
• Drive configuration-controlled releases of control system software, ensuring proper version control, documentation, and change management.
• Support the design and validation of engine control hardware, including actuators, pumps, sensors, fuel and lube systems, and auxiliary components.
• Partner closely with software, hardware, and systems teams to ensure seamless hardware/software integration and alignment of performance requirements.
• Contribute to the development and validation of electronic engine control systems, including full authority digital engine control architectures.
• Execute control law tuning in both time and frequency domains to achieve required system response, stability margins, and robustness.
• Build, refine, and correlate dynamic models to match engine and actuator performance observed during testing.
• Integrate controls models into hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop environments to support integrated system validation.
• Lead engine and component test programs from a controls perspective, ensuring that test plans adequately exercise control logic and system interfaces.
• Define test objectives, instrumentation strategies, and data requirements to validate overall engine control system performance.
• Support simulator design, commissioning, and integration testing to enable realistic evaluation of control software and hardware.
• Interface with performance, mechanical, aero, and systems engineering teams to optimize overall engine performance and ensure cohesive system design.
• Lead and contribute to design reviews across controls, stress, life, materials, and system analysis disciplines, providing expert technical input and critique.
• Support additive manufacturing initiatives by advising on control system and hardware design improvements that leverage additive capabilities.
• Ensure strong technical documentation, including design descriptions, analysis reports, test plans, and test reports, while championing engineering best practices.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship within cross-functional teams, helping to drive program execution and alignment with mission and schedule goals.
• Continuously identify opportunities for innovation and process improvement in controls development, modeling, integration, and test activities.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an accredited program.
• 12+ years of experience in gas turbine or engine control systems, with direct responsibility for controls software and system performance.
• Hands-on experience with controls development tools such as MATLAB and Simulink for modeling, simulation, and control law implementation.
• Demonstrated experience in controls software development, including control laws, modeling, simulation, and validation.
• Background in electronic engine control systems and full authority digital engine control architectures.
• Experience working with sensors, fuel and lube systems, actuators, pumps, and auxiliary engine components within an integrated control system.
• Proven experience with hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop environments and integrated system validation.
• Strong technical leadership skills with a track record of leading complex controls development and test programs.
• Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, cross-functional environments with evolving requirements and aggressive schedules.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to align stakeholders, present technical content clearly, and lead design reviews.
• Eligibility to obtain a . Government Security Clearance.
• . citizenship.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Deep expertise in gas turbine controls, including control law tuning in time and frequency domains.
• Experience in controls modeling and simulation for engine and actuator systems.
• Background in hardware integration and software integration for complex aerospace control systems.
• Knowledge of electronic engine control and full authority digital engine control system design and operation.
• Experience with auxiliary systems associated with engine controls, such as fuel, lube, and related support systems.
• Familiarity with additive manufacturing and design for additive principles, particularly as they relate to engine and control system hardware.
• Demonstrated passion for advanced technologies, including additive manufacturing and rapid design-build-test cycles.
• Strong program execution capability, with the ability to manage priorities, meet deadlines, and support intensive build and test schedules.
• Proven ability to work through ambiguity while maintaining focus on mission, safety, and performance objectives.
• Motivation to contribute to national security and defense-focused aerospace applications.

Work Environment

The role is based on-site within a mission-driven, high-intensity, fast-growing aerospace company that designs and builds advanced jet engines using additive manufacturing. Work centers on real hardware and integrated systems, so hybrid work is not standard and on-site presence is important for builds, tests, and hardware-in-the-loop activities. The environment emphasizes rapid design-build-test cycles, with visible impact on operational defense capabilities rather than purely theoretical or paper-based engineering. Employees collaborate closely across controls, mechanical, aero, performance, and systems engineering disciplines. The culture values ownership, technical excellence, and the ability to thrive amid fast pace and ambiguity. Workloads can be demanding, with long hours and intense pushes around engine builds, test campaigns, and customer milestones. In return, team members gain the opportunity to work on cutting-edge additively manufactured jet engines, contribute directly to critical national defense missions, and participate in the broader industry impact of advanced propulsion technologies. Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates, and the company offers stock options with a low strike price and a history of annual bonuses paid above target, reflecting a strong commitment to shared success and long-term growth.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Centennial, CO.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $185000.00 - $200000.00/yr.

Beehive Benefits OverviewHealth & Wellness Comprehensive Coverage: Medical, dental, vision, and pet coverage options for you and your family 100% Mental Health Coverage: In-network mental health services fully covered Health Advocacy: Dedicated experts to help navigate care and insurance Disability Protection: Company-provided short- and long-term disability coverage Financial Security 401(k) Plan: Retirement savings plan with company match Life Insurance: 100% company-paid basic coverage, with options for additional coverage for you and your family Time Off & Flexibility Unlimited PTO: Flexibility to recharge when needed 12 Paid Holidays annually Paid Parental Leave: Fully paid leave for birth, adoption, or foster care Culture & Perks Work-Life Balance: Strong emphasis on unplugging and recharging Team Engagement: Regular events including happy hours, lunch & learns, family picnics, and more

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Centennial,CO.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on May 15, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.