diff --git a/pa_job_engine.py b/pa_job_engine.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..110bc67
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pa_job_engine.py
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+###
+#
+# This file controls the 'external' job control engine, that (periodically #
+# looks / somehow is pushed an event?) picks up new jobs, and processes them.
+# 
+# It then stores the progress/status, etc. in job and joblog tables as needed
+# via wrapper functions.
+#
+# The whole pa_job_engine is multi-threaded, and uses the database tables for
+# state management and communication back to the pa web site
+#
+###
+
+class PA_JobEngine(db.Model):
+    __tablename__ = "pa_job_engine"
+    id = db.Column(db.Integer, db.Sequence('pa_job_engine_id_seq'), primary_key=True)
+    state db.Column(db.String)
+    num_jobs_active = db.Column(db.Integer)
+    num_jobs_complete = db.Column(db.Integer)