Principal Aftertreatment Controls Engineer
Large-Engine Emissions Controls Architecture & Integration
Location: Stoughton, WI area preferred; Hybrid/Remote flexibility available for experienced individuals
Travel: ~25% if based near the Wisconsin hub, up to 50% if working remotely within the broader Midwest region
Position Overview
We are a global industrial systems manufacturer seeking a Principal Aftertreatment Controls Engineer to lead the architecture, development, integration, validation, and commercialization of complete exhaust aftertreatment systems for large stationary engines and industrial power-generation applications.
This is a senior technical leadership role for an engineer who understands the complete aftertreatment ecosystem, including SCR, DOC, DPF, DEF dosing and delivery, catalysts, mixers, pumps, injectors, sensors, controls, diagnostics, exhaust flow, thermal behavior, acoustic interfaces, and system validation.
The successful candidate will serve as the organization’s central technical authority for aftertreatment systems and translate customer requirements into complete engineered solutions that meet emissions, backpressure, thermal, durability, acoustic, cost, and regulatory objectives.
Applications include data-center backup power, industrial power generation, combined heat and power, distributed energy, utility and critical-infrastructure power, marine, mining, and oil and gas.
Primary Responsibilities
- Own the architecture and technical direction of complete aftertreatment systems for large stationary diesel and natural-gas engines.
- Translate customer Statements of Requirements, Statements of Work, engine data, regulatory requirements, and performance guarantees into system specifications, interfaces, design targets, supplier deliverables, validation plans, and acceptance criteria.
- Lead integration of SCR, DOC, DPF, DEF tanks and delivery systems, pumps, injectors, lines, mixers, sensors, catalysts, controllers, control panels, monitoring equipment, diagnostics, exhaust piping, silencers, thermal systems, skids, and structural supports.
- Define sensor inputs, actuator outputs, controller interfaces, dosing and diagnostic requirements, alarm strategies, derates, shutdown logic, and communication interfaces with engine or supervisory controls.
- Lead technical analysis and validation involving pressure drop, backpressure, exhaust flow, mixing, thermal performance, NOx conversion, dosing, emissions performance, durability, and regulatory compliance.
- Use predictive engineering tools and physical testing to demonstrate that systems meet customer and regulatory requirements.
- Coordinate CFD, 1D analysis, engine or dyno testing, emissions testing, durability testing, and field validation as appropriate.
- Identify, qualify, and technically manage suppliers for catalysts, DEF components, sensors, controls, mixers, exhaust hardware, monitoring systems, and related technologies.
- Lead customer discovery, technical reviews, proposals, design reviews, problem resolution, validation reviews, and launch discussions.
- Coordinate mechanical, electrical, controls, CFD, validation, manufacturing, sourcing, quality, commercial, and supplier teams across multiple programs.
- Support commercialization and production launch, including technical-risk management, issue resolution, supplier readiness, and manufacturing transition.
- Help define future aftertreatment platforms, technology roadmaps, supplier strategy, and product offerings based on customer demand, regulations, market trends, and technical opportunities.
- Serve as a mentor and technical resource for application engineering, product engineering, commercial teams, and global operations.
Required Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automotive Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.
- Typically 10 to 12 or more years of progressive experience in diesel or natural-gas aftertreatment, industrial emissions systems, heavy-duty engines, large-engine power generation, off-highway equipment, commercial vehicles, or closely related exhaust-system applications.
- Deep technical understanding of SCR, DOC, DPF, DEF dosing and delivery, catalysts, mixers, sensors, pumps, injectors, controls, diagnostics, exhaust flow, pressure drop, backpressure, and thermal performance.
- Demonstrated experience owning or leading complete aftertreatment-system architecture rather than only one component or specialty.
- Experience translating customer, engine, regulatory, or performance requirements into system specifications, interfaces, component requirements, validation plans, and acceptance criteria.
- Experience integrating mechanical, electrical, controls, catalyst, fluid, thermal, sensor, and diagnostic elements into a complete system.
- Meaningful experience with several of the following:
- CFD or 1D simulation
- Pressure-drop and backpressure analysis
- Thermal analysis
- Dosing and mixing evaluation
- Engine or dyno testing
- Emissions testing
- Durability testing
- Certification
- Field troubleshooting
- Experience identifying, qualifying, developing, or technically managing suppliers for major aftertreatment components and technologies.
- Strong customer-facing technical leadership, including requirements reviews, design reviews, technical presentations, problem resolution, and performance discussions.
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional engineering and product-development efforts without relying solely on formal authority.
Preferred Qualifications
- Large stationary-engine or generator-set experience.
- Industrial power generation, data-center backup power, CHP, distributed energy, marine, mining, oil and gas, or critical-infrastructure applications.
- Tier 4 Final or comparable global emissions-program experience.
- Natural-gas as well as diesel-engine applications.
- Engine-control or aftertreatment-control calibration experience.
- Engine-dyno, emissions-lab, or system-validation leadership.
- Catalyst selection, aging, thermal-window, and conversion-efficiency experience.
- CFD, 1D simulation, flow-network modeling, or predictive-validation expertise.
- International supplier development or global product-platform experience.
- Commercialization or launch of new engineered aftertreatment systems.
- Experience influencing product-roadmap or platform decisions using technical, regulatory, and customer-market evidence.
Role Logistics
Location: Upper Midwest preferred. Hybrid or remote flexibility may be considered for an exceptional candidate.
Travel: Approximately 25% when based near the primary Midwest hub; potentially closer to 50% when located elsewhere.
Compensation: Base salary up to approximately $150,000. No commission and currently no bonus participation.
Work authorization: Candidates requiring sponsorship may be considered and remain eligible for submission.
Visibility: Highly visible technical leadership role supporting engineering, customers, suppliers, commercial teams, and global manufacturing operations.