Mars Inc

Principal Project Engineer - PCIS

Mars Inc • $120K — $145K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BS Degree in Engineering with 8-10+ years in automation and industrial controls, ideally in consumer products.
  • 2-4+ years of leadership experience with a proven track record in managing capital projects over $10M.
  • Deep expertise in PLC programming (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens) and HMI/SCADA development (e.g., FactoryTalk, Ignition).
  • Strong grasp of industrial networking and safety standards (e.g., NFPA, UL, CE).
  • Experience in system integration and commissioning of automated systems, including motion control and servo systems.
  • Excellent project governance skills, including cost estimation and vendor management.
  • Collaborative leadership with strong relationship management capabilities.
  • Willingness to travel up to 50% as needed.

Responsibilities

  • Mentor and manage a team of engineering associates to foster a high-performance culture.
  • Direct the execution of capital projects, ensuring adherence to timelines and budgets.
  • Establish automation and cybersecurity standards for regional projects.
  • Implement IIoT solutions and advanced analytics as part of the Digital by Design initiative.
  • Oversee project governance, including financial management and stakeholder communication.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure project integration within facilities.
  • Manage vendor and contractor performance to meet Mars' standards and project specifications.
  • Act as the senior technical authority for design reviews and troubleshooting.

Benefits

  • Work alongside a diverse team guided by core principles.
  • Be part of a purpose-driven organization focused on sustainable impact.
  • Access to extensive learning and development opportunities from day one through Mars University.
Full Job Description
Job Description:

As a Principal Project Engineer, PCIS, you will be a key technical leader for our Controls, Digital, and Automation team. This is a chance to steer the future of our manufacturing capabilities by leading critical automation and capital projects from concept to completion. You will guide a dedicated team of engineers, manage multi-million dollar investments, and align project strategy with our ambitious business goals. This role is a unique blend of deep industrial controls expertise, strategic project delivery, and impactful team leadership, placing you at the center of our digital transformation.

You will drive our technical strategy by establishing best-in-class standards for automation, control architecture, and system integration across our facilities. By mentoring project leaders and removing roadblocks, you will ensure your team delivers high-impact results, optimizing our operations and building the factory of the future. If you are passionate about pioneering new technologies and leading teams to achieve breakthrough performance, this is the role for you.

What are we looking for?
  • A BS Degree in Engineering with 8-10+ years of technical experience in a role focused on automation and industrial controls, preferably in consumer products.
  • Proven leadership experience with 2-4+ years of line management and a track record of leading capital projects, preferably with budgets over $10M.
  • Deep expertise in PLC programming (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens), HMI/SCADA development (e.g., FactoryTalk, Ignition), and troubleshooting complex control systems.
  • Strong understanding of industrial networking (e.g., Ethernet/IP), safety circuits, and regulatory standards (e.g., NFPA, UL, CE).
  • Experience with system integration, testing, and commissioning of automated systems, including motion control and servo systems.
  • Excellent project governance skills, including cost estimation, scheduling, and vendor management.
  • A collaborative leader with effective relationship management skills and the ability to thrive both independently and in a team environment.
  • Ability to travel up to 50% depending on project needs.


What will be your key responsibilities?
  • Provide direct line management and technical mentorship to a team of engineering associates, fostering a high-performance and inclusive culture.
  • Own and direct the end-to-end execution of capital projects, ensuring delivery on time and within budget through defined stage-gate processes.
  • Establish and govern automation, control architecture, and cybersecurity standards for all regional capital projects.
  • Drive the "Digital by Design" and Industry 4.0 agenda by implementing IIoT solutions, MES connectivity, and advanced analytics to improve asset reliability.
  • Lead project governance, including financial oversight of budgets up to $5M+, schedule tracking, and stakeholder management.
  • Partner with cross-functional teams including Operations, Maintenance, R&D, and Finance to ensure projects are seamlessly integrated into our facilities.
  • Oversee vendors and contractors, ensuring adherence to scope, specifications, and Mars' Early Management (EM) and safety standards.
  • Serve as the senior technical authority for design reviews, code approvals, and complex troubleshooting challenges.


What can you expect from Mars?
  • Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by our Five Principles.
  • Join a purpose-driven company, where we're striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
  • Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.


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About Mars Inc

Mars, Incorporated is an American multinational manufacturer of confectionery, pet food, and other food products. It was founded in 1911 and is headquartered in McLean, Virginia. Mars operates in six business segments: Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks, and Symbioscience. Some of its most popular brands include M&M's, Snickers, Twix, Milky Way, Skittles, and Pedigree. The company is known for its commitment to sustainability and has set a goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 67% by 2050.
Learn more about Mars Inc
Size
125,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1911

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