Sr Principal Controls Engineer – DCI (FE)

About the Data Center Infrastructure (DCI) Team:

The DCI team consists of technical subject matter experts who specialize in end-to-end large scale physical infrastructure that powers and enables modern data centers. This includes power distribution systems such as transformers, substations, generators, switchgear, switch panels, busways, ATS units, EDPM, BMS systems, and control panels, as well as cooling solutions ranging from traditional evaporative and indirect cooling systems to emerging liquid cooling technologies including chillers, heat exchangers, CDUs, pumps, and secondary fluid networks. The team also addresses the mechanical structures that house these systems - hot aisle containment, steel enclosures, blanking panels, cable trays, and fiber and networking infrastructure.

The DCI team operates as a cross-industry center of excellence, partnering primarily with various cloud providers across the industry. Team members function as deeply technical subject matter experts who engage directly with customers and supply chain partners to assess requirements, identify challenges, and design infrastructure solutions end-to-end. The ideal contributor brings engineering-level expertise in either power or cooling disciplines, a working knowledge of the full infrastructure dependency chain, and the ability to translate that expertise into clear recommendations and collaborative problem-solving with both technical and business stakeholders.

Job Title: Sr. Principal Controls Engineer

Job Family: Electrical Design Engineering

Organization: Data Center Infrastructure (DCI) Team

Location: Remote* OR Austin, TX

• Requires up to 20% domestic and/or international travel (rare)
  
  

How will you make an impact?

We are seeking a highly experienced and innovative Sr Principal Controls Engineer to lead the design, development, optimization and implementation of advanced control systems across critical infrastructure platforms. This role is responsible for ensuring the performance, reliability, and scalability of automation systems, with a strong focus on data center infrastructure, power/energy management, and industrial automation.

The ideal candidate will serve as a technical leader, driving system architecture, integration, and execution across PLC, IPC-based controls, SCADA/HMI platforms, and enterprise systems including BMS and EPMS.

What will you do?

• Define and own the control system architecture across multiple platforms including PLCs, IPC-based systems, SCADA, BMS, EPMS, and MES, ensuring scalability, reliability, and maintainability.
• Lead development and implementation of PLC and IPC-based control systems using platforms such as Siemens, Rockwell, Schneider, Beckhoff, and Codesys.
• Design and deploy SCADA and HMI systems across multiple platforms (Ignition, WinCC, FactoryTalk, AVEVA, etc.).
• Develop structured, modular, and reusable control logic using IEC 61131-3 programming standards.
• Develop detailed control system documentation including Functional Design Specifications (FDS), Sequence of Operations (SOO), I/O lists, Cause & Effect matrices, Alarm matrices, and interface definitions.
• Create and review electrical schematics, control diagrams, and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Define control logic, sensor integration strategies, and communication protocols such as Modbus, BACnet, OPC UA, Ethernet/IP, and SNMP.
• Integrate control systems with BMS, EPMS, SCADA, MES, and cloud-based platforms to ensure seamless data flow and interoperability.
• Lead Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), ensuring system reliability, safety, and performance.
• Support commissioning, troubleshooting, and optimization of control systems in operational environments.
• Design and support control systems for mission-critical infrastructure including UPS, generators, switchgear, chillers, liquid cooling systems, CRAC/CRAH units, and fire protection systems.
• Establish design standards, best practices, and reusable frameworks for scalable and consistent implementation.
• Lead root cause analysis and resolution of complex control system issues during commissioning and operations.
• Drive development and validation of system-level simulations and digital twin models.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and automation trends to improve system efficiency and performance.
• Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, software, and facilities teams to ensure seamless integration with physical infrastructure.
• Work closely with cross-functional stakeholders to align control system designs with business requirements, schedules, and operational constraints.
• Facilitate technical reviews, workshops, and planning sessions to ensure alignment across engineering disciplines.
  
  

How will you get here?

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or related field.
  
  

Experience:

• 8 years of experience in control system design and implementation.
• Deep expertise in PLC/IPC programming (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider, Beckhoff).
• Experience with SCADA/HMI development across multiple platforms.
• Experience with BMS integration and optimization.
• Experience with EPMS systems for real-time energy monitoring and analytics.
• Experience with industrial communication protocols (Modbus, BACnet, OPC UA, Ethernet/IP)
• Familiarity with NFPA, IEC, and ISO standards related to control systems and safety
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills.
• Self-motivated, accountable, and able to work independently within a global team.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Ability to interpret technical documents, standards, and regulations.
• Skilled in writing reports, business correspondence, and procedural guides.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and mentor engineering teams.
• Familiarity with PLM/design tools (EPLAN, AutoCAD, Windchill, SolidWorks) and DevOps practices is a plus.
• Understanding of low and medium voltage electrical systems
  
  

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Experience in hyperscale or colocation data center environments.
• Experience with digital twin technologies and predictive maintenance strategies.
  
  

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