Guardian Manufacturing · 17 hours ago
Principal Controls Engineer/Estimator
Cocoa, FL
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$100K/yr - $130K/yr
8+ years expGuardian Manufacturing Inc is a leader in providing automation solutions across various industries, including Space and Industrial sectors. They are looking for a Principal Controls Engineer/Estimator to lead the technical aspects of estimating and defining scope for complex automation projects, ensuring that estimates are reflective of real execution conditions.
AerospaceElectronicsManufacturing
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Controls Estimating & Scope Definition
Develop execution-ready estimates for industrial automation and control systems projects
Estimate engineering labor, hardware, software, commissioning, and project management effort
Perform technical takeoffs from RFPs, specifications, drawings, P&IDs, and electrical schematics
Define scope, assumptions, exclusions, and discipline interfaces
Identify technical and execution risks based on real-world integration experience
Translate incomplete or ambiguous requirements into practical, defensible scope
Ensure estimates reflect commissioning effort, startup complexity, and integration risk
Own the technical estimate from initial scope definition through final proposal review and customer submittal
Partner with Business Development to develop complete, accurate, and execution-ready proposals
Ensure scope, pricing, assumptions, and exclusions are aligned across engineering, operations, and project management
Participate in internal proposal reviews and management approval cycles
Support customer technical reviews, clarifications, and post-submittal discussions as required
Recommend alternative architectures, standardization opportunities, or phased execution strategies
Collaborate closely with Engineering, Operations, Procurement, and Project Management
Act as a technical bridge between estimating and delivery teams
Capture lessons learned to improve estimating accuracy over time
Qualification
Required
8+ years of hands-on industrial control systems design and integration experience
Demonstrated delivery of projects involving PLC, HMI/SCADA, instrumentation, and industrial networks
Strong understanding of how control systems are engineered, built, installed, tested, and commissioned
Ability to estimate engineering effort based on execution complexity—not templates alone
Proficiency reading and interpreting RFPs, electrical schematics, P&IDs, and technical specifications
Strong computer skills using Microsoft Office 365, with working knowledge of AI-enabled tools to support estimating, analysis, and documentation
Must meet U.S. person requirements under ITAR regulations
Preferred
Prior estimating, proposal, or pre-sales engineering experience
Aerospace, space, material handling, or industrial background
Interest in business development and project shaping
Benefits
401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Flexible spending account
Health insurance
Health savings account
Life insurance
Paid time off
Professional development assistance
Referral program
Relocation assistance
Vision insurance
Company
Guardian Manufacturing
Guardian Manufacturing offers engineering design, control system integration, manufacturing, projects and other services.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Brad Smith
Chief Operating Officer
Steve Moga
Chief Commercial Officer
Company data provided by crunchbase