Senior Controls Engineer

Colovore · Remote

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Role Overview

We are seeking a Senior Controls Engineer to lead the design, construction, and operation of Building Management Systems (BMS) for Colovore’s high-density data centers. This is a leadership role responsible for working with multidisciplined design teams across new developments, commissioning, capacity expansions, and existing site operations. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with end-to-end PLC-based control system hardware and software design, SCADA software (Ignition by Inductive Automation), system construction, commissioning, and operations. As a member of the Colovore Engineering Team you will collaborate closely with Precon/Construction teams, MEP engineering consultants, Controls Vendors, and Facility Operations teams to ensure data center BMS systems are fully functional, reliable, and cost-effective in alignment with Colovore’s high-performance standards.

Key Responsibilities

Control System Design & Analysis

• Lead the design and technical review of data center BMS including chilled water plant / HVAC control using Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) & Remote I/O, Electrical Power Monitoring Systems (EPMS), and SCADA system graphics/programming using Ignition software by Inductive Automation.
• Develop program-level BMS requirements including communications and controls architecture, sequences of operation, instrumentation requirements, SCADA graphics standards, master points lists, network diagrams, control schematics, and system integration requirements.
• Ensure BMS designs support reliable, accurate control and monitoring of data center MEP systems including concurrent maintainability.
• Review vendor proposals, BMS design packages, specifications, and submittals for technical accuracy, completeness and compliance with Colovore standards.

Standards & Technical Governance

• Develop and maintain company-wide BMS design standards, master BMS specifications, BMS startup and Cx functional test templates, and instrumentation performance requirements.
• Establish consistent, repeatable controls strategies that can scale across multi-phased sites and across multiple data center sites.
• Define requirements for software tag and alarm management, trending, data retention, user access, cybersecurity, and system reporting.
• Evaluate live BMS platforms at existing Colovore data centers and recommend improvements based on performance, scalability, and operational needs.

BMS Contract Management

• Review BMS vendor proposals/scopes of work, change orders, and vendor recommendations to ensure solutions are technically sound, cost effective, and in compliance with Colovore BMS standards.
• Provide technical direction to BMS design/build contractors, integrators, equipment vendors, and design consultants.
• Hold contractors/vendors accountable for design and construction quality, schedule, PLC/SCADA programming standards, documentation, and issue resolution.
• Coordinate BMS integration across mechanical, electrical, LV/telecom, fire protection, security, and the Colovore IT department.

Construction & Field Support

• Support project teams during BMS installation, programming, startup, and testing.
• Resolve complex field issues involving communication networks, control sequences, equipment interfaces, and system performance.
• Review and respond to RFIs, field changes, and proposed technical solutions.
• Conduct site visits and quality reviews to verify that BMS solutions are installed and programmed in accordance with Colovore requirements.
• Partner with Commissioning teams, Operations, Engineer of Record, and Construction teams to validate system functionality.

Operations Support & System Optimization

• Support the transition of BMS from construction into Operations. Ensure record drawings, programming files, backups, training materials, and operating documentation are complete.
• Support operations teams in troubleshooting, tuning, and optimizing BMS across active data centers.
• Perform root-cause analysis and recommend corrective actions for hardware/software failures or system performance deviations.
• Analyze operational data to identify efficiency improvements, reliability enhancements, and capacity-planning insights.
• Author, update, and review Methods of Procedure (MOPs) related to BMS installation, operation and maintenance.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Mechanical Engineers, Controls Engineers, and Operations Teams to ensure electrical system integration and operational effectiveness.
• Work with Development, Finance, and Business Units to provide electrical design input for feasibility studies and cost models.
• Support sustainability initiatives, energy-efficiency improvements, and BMS innovation in high-density IT deployments and state-of-the-art mechanical cooling solutions.

Documentation & Reporting

• Write, update and maintain electrical system documentation, including Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR), engineering specifications, record (as-built) design documents, equipment vendor information, factory test and commissioning test results, and system performance analyses.
• Prepare technical reports, engineering summaries, and recommendations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure all electrical engineering work aligns with regulatory, code, safety, and security compliance requirements.

Key Skills

• Experience in designing, programming, and operating data center PLC-based BMS including chiller plant and HVAC system control, EPMS, and SCADA systems.
• Experience with Ignition SCADA software by Inductive Automation.
• Experience with programming and configuration PLCs (Allen-Bradley preferred), and BMS network communications (Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP/IP, Modbus RTU, and BACnet for device and system integration).
• Ability to lead and mentor a BMS/controls engineering team.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose BMS issues and recommend solutions.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, for interfacing with internal stakeholders, external consultants, vendors, and contractors.
• Ability to collaborate across engineering disciplines and construction/operations teams.
• Strong attention to detail, documentation habits, and project follow-through.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with multiple ongoing projects.

Required Experience

• Minimum 8 years of experience designing and implementing chiller plant and HVAC controls and EPMS in mission-critical/data center environments.
• Hands-on experience leading and executing BMS design, construction, commissioning, and operations support.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, and EIT or PE license preferred.

What Success Looks Like

• Comprehensive standards are established for Colovore BMS design, construction, and operation leading to consistent, high performing and cost-effective system implementation across the Colovore data center portfolio.
• Well written engineering requirements, specifications, reports, procedures, checklists, and test documents for BMS that support construction efficiency and quality, minimize commissioning issues, enable effective maintenance and operations, and facilitate future expansions.
• Effective Controls Engineering Team leadership through clear, effective communications, timely decision making, and proactive problem solving.
• Accurate, timely engineering support that keeps design, construction, and operations projects moving efficiently.
• Strong relationships in place with BMS design/build partners, equipment vendors, contractors, and internal stakeholders leading to improved collaboration and successful project delivery.
• Effective cross-functional alignment is achieved by the application of lessons learned resulting in improved design decisions and operational improvements.

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