Principal Controls Engineer, NA

About Vantage Data Centers

Vantage is committed to being a workplace of inclusion, equity, respect and acceptance. We celebrate diversity and intentionally seek out opportunities to learn from one another's experience.

Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world's well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

Automation Systems Department

The Automation Systems Group is responsible for the design, construction and support of cutting-edge data center automation and control infrastructure. The department collaborates with Operations, Sales, Engineering, Information Technology and Management to ensure the system continues to fulfill Vantage customer requirements. Automation Systems works closely with partner contractors to come up with the best design and helps lead these partners to success by providing accurate requirements, goals, and timelines. In addition to design and construction, we are also responsible for the technical requirements of the Operations department involving troubleshooting, calibrating, and repairing mission critically important control systems throughout all Vantage locations.

Position Overview

This role ideally will work remote from a Texas city near a major airport (Dallas Love Field / Dallas- Fort Worth International Airport / San Antonio) etc. The person selected may have more onsite schedule as development of data centers evolve.

We are seeking an experienced Principal Controls Engineer to lead the development and continuous improvement of our data center automation platforms. They will play a key role within the engineering department, tasked with leading all aspects of major control systems projects from conception to completion. This position requires a combination of technical prowess and a strategic approach to ensure project success and system excellence. This hands-on technical role will drive innovation in control system architecture, integration, cybersecurity, and fault tolerance to support our rapidly growing global footprint.

Essential Job Functions

Control System Design and Standards:

1. Lead all aspects of control system network design and remote access methodologies while ensuring systems are in alignment and within our cybersecurity standards.
2. Ensure the design and implementation of advanced data center control systems.
3. Develop and document control system design/architectures, standards, and industry.
4. Lead control system design for new data center builds and expansions.
5. Develop and ensure compliance of control system standards, guidelines, and industry standards of excellence.

System Upgrades and Integration:

1. Evaluate and lead systems upgrades, including hardware and software updates, migrations, and integration platforms.
2. Evaluate and pilot the newest emerging technologies in AI, machine learning, and IoT.

Commissioning and Testing:

1. Support the commissioning, testing, and solving of building automation systems.
2. Lead the acceptance sign-off of building automation systems, ensuring minimal alarms and defects.

Cybersecurity and Compliance:

1. Collaborate with IT and security teams to ensure robust cybersecurity measures.
2. Ensure control systems are safe, reliable, and compliant with relevant regulations.

Continuous Improvement and Optimization:

1. Drive continuous improvement of control strategies, Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs), and alarm management.
2. Drive continuous improvement and optimization of existing control platforms.
3. Lead root cause analysis and resolution of complex automation issues.
4. Tracking controls continuous improvement projects and ensuring the projects are completed to the expected outcomes and objectives.
5. Champion data-driven optimization of data center performance and sustainability.

Technical Leadership and Collaboration:

1. Provide technical guidance and mentorship to global controls Engineering teams.
2. Collaborate and partner with Operations and Facilities teams to identify automation opportunities.
3. Spearhead development and communicate new innovations of control system strategies and roadmaps to senior leadership.
4. Communicate with vendors and integration partners to drive innovation.

Licensing and Compliance Management:

1. Establish and maintain a comprehensive licensing management system to ensure all software, hardware, and integration platform licenses standards for NA, that can be adopted and used across our global data center portfolio.

Job Requirements

Education:

1. Bachelor's degree in Controls Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field experience; Master's degree preferred.

Experience:

1. 10+ years of proven track record of crafting and implementing building automation and industrial control systems.
2. Deep expertise in control system architecture, programming, and integration.
3. Hands-on experience with data center HVAC, power, and mechanical systems.
4. Experience with control system cybersecurity standards such as ISA/IEC 62443.
5. Experience with data analytics, predictive maintenance, and fault detection a plus.

Skills:

1. Proficiency with control programming languages and automation platforms such as Tridium, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Rockwell, or similar.
2. Strong knowledge of protocols such as BACnet, Modbus, OPC, SNMP, and LON.
3. Understanding of PLC, DCS, SCADA, and HMI/SCADA software.
4. Familiarity with data center infrastructure management (DCIM) platforms a plus.
5. Knowledge of data center energy efficiency best practices and sustainability frameworks.
6. Exceptional problem-solving, analytical thinking, and troubleshooting skills.
7. Strong project management and cross-functional partnership abilities.
8. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
9. Ability to work independently, multi-disciplinary teams.

Travel required is expected to be up to 20% but may increase over time as the business evolves.

Physical Demands and Special Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop or kneel; talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer.