Data Center Controls Engineer

Department: Facility Operations
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Austin, TX (on‑site)
Reports to: Director of Facility Operations

Overview

Element Critical is seeking a Data Center Controls Engineer to join the Facility Operations team. The role aligns with company values of accountability, integrity, grit, and problem‑solving. It is responsible for controls design standards, implementation, project management, and maintaining the building electrical power management systems (EPMS), automation systems (BAS), and building management systems (BMS) for all data centers. The engineer will develop new processes and standards while innovating in the control space to create reliable and efficient controls that serve Operations and Customers.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with design and operations teams to develop and enforce automation logic, ensuring systems meet operational standards.
• Manage cross‑functional partnerships with internal operations and engineering teams to troubleshoot complex control loop issues; utilize 3rd‑party vendors and contractors to resolve issues.
• Assist in procurement activities, including RFQs/RFPs, responding to RFIs, reviewing vendor proposals, and processing submittals.
• Attend project meetings, coordinate with project leaders, and regularly report status to management.
• Frequent visits to data centers to troubleshoot issues and supervise 3rd‑party vendor work for compliance with scope, design, and local codes.
• Create and maintain SOOs and documentation of existing controls infrastructure; assemble a library of I&C design documents, submittals, as‑builts, and O&Ms.
• Maintain controls equipment inventory (sensors, valves, controllers, etc.) and manage vendor contacts, contracts, warranties, licenses, passwords, and network access.
• Conduct initial and periodic audits of existing implementations, assessing security risks, operational reliability/SLA risks, excessive energy or maintenance costs.
• Develop annual controls OPEX and CAPEX budgets; manage critical remediation CAPEX, maintenance contracts, and end‑of‑life equipment replacement.
• Lead upgrades supporting corporate goals such as energy efficiency, operating efficiency, safety, reliability, and reporting.
• Develop, document, and publish design guidelines, architecture, hardware standards, operator interface style guides (ISA 101), and naming schemes (ISA 5.1).
• Serve as SME and leader for 3rd‑party implementations (new construction, upgrades, special projects); lead scope definition, contractor vetting, pricing review, selection, onboarding, and progress meetings.
• Review owner submittals and RFIs, vet change orders, and lead QA/QC during implementation.
• Lead commissioning lifecycle for data center BAS, BMS, and electromechanical systems, ensuring validation of building automation, management, and EPMS to control HVAC and electrical infrastructure.
• Oversee owner punch‑list, closeout, and transition to operations.
• Provide internal support and customer integrations; collaborate with Facility Ops teams to enable local control, reporting, and training.
• Implement and support customer integrations as directed by Customer Ops.
• Review quarterly maintenance results for BMS and electrical systems and drive resolution of identified issues.
• Operate and maintain all controls hardware and software; oversee testing and tuning of mechanical plant controls (chillers, cooling towers, AHUs) with robust SCADA implementations.
• Perform break‑fix, preventive maintenance, ongoing tuning, and adjustments; participate in on‑call schedule as secondary escalation for BMS and electrical system support.
• Troubleshoot and conduct root‑cause analysis or corrective action for BAS, BMS, and EPMS issues.
• Produce per‑site and global plant performance reports.
• Develop and maintain maintenance programs for all controls equipment, including hardware PM (sensor calibration, valve stroking) and platform PM (patches, backups).
• Specify IT and network resources required by controls applications.
• Configure and manage EPMS, BAS, and BMS alarm frameworks; optimize alarm logic, prioritization, and thresholds to reduce false alarms and ensure rapid response.
• Execute special projects assigned by the manager.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5 + years of experience in a data center or critical facility environment, focused on commissioning mechanical systems and industrial controls.
• 5 + years of experience with Building Management Systems, PLC programming, and SCADA architecture (e.g., Modbus, BACnet, industrial networking).
• Experience managing projects in a Design/Build delivery environment for mission‑critical facilities, with emphasis on cooling and mechanical automation.
• Experience working with contractors and site safety teams to align commissioning activities with construction schedules and safety protocols.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Willingness to travel up to approximately 40 %.

Benefits

• PPO and HDHP healthcare plans
• FSA and HSA with above‑market employer HSA match
• Dental and vision insurance
• Employer‑paid disability and life insurance
• Additional group insurances
• Paid vacation, sick, and personal leave
• 10 company‑paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• 401(k) with up to 4 % employer match
• Personal development and learning opportunities
• Employee referral program