Controls Technician - HVAC & Building Automation

Job Description

Controls Service Technician – Building Automation & PLC

Locations: Northern Virginia | Atlanta, GA | Charlotte, NC | Columbus, OH

Position Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire

Work Environment: Field-Based / Customer Sites

Position Overview

We are seeking experienced Controls Service Technicians and Automation Specialists to support industrial automation, building automation, and HVAC control systems at customer facilities.

This is a hands-on technical service position for someone who enjoys troubleshooting complex systems, working directly with customers, and solving problems in the field. The ideal candidate combines strong electrical, mechanical, or HVAC knowledge with the ability to diagnose, modify, and troubleshoot control systems, programming, and operator graphics.

We are open to candidates from HVAC controls, building automation, industrial automation, systems integration, and robotics backgrounds. You do not need to know every platform listed below, but you must have practical controls experience and be willing to work directly on equipment and software.

This is not a desk-only engineering or consulting position. Our service professionals spend most of their time at customer facilities, diagnosing problems and keeping critical systems operating.

Key Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot, diagnose, repair, and support industrial and building automation control systems.
• Work directly with PLC and DDC programming, control logic, and operator graphics to identify and resolve system issues.
• Perform hands-on troubleshooting of electrical, mechanical, HVAC, and automated equipment.
• Diagnose communication failures, control system faults, hardware issues, and equipment performance problems.
• Read and interpret electrical drawings, control schematics, wiring diagrams, and system documentation.
• Support PLCs, controllers, HMIs, and building automation equipment.
• Review, modify, and troubleshoot ladder logic, function block programming, and control sequences as applicable.
• Troubleshoot HMI graphics, alarms, trends, and system interfaces.
• Perform field service, preventive maintenance, corrective maintenance, and technical support at customer locations.
• Communicate technical findings and recommended solutions clearly to customers and internal teams.
• Participate in scheduled on-call support and respond to customer service needs.
• Work independently while collaborating with engineers, technicians, and service managers.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant hands-on experience preferred in HVAC controls, building automation, industrial automation, electrical controls, or related technical service.
• Experience troubleshooting PLC, DDC, or other automation control systems.
• Ability to access, interpret, troubleshoot, or modify control logic and operator graphics.
• Strong electrical, mechanical, or HVAC troubleshooting skills.
• Experience working directly with equipment and customers in field service environments.
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical documentation.
• Comfortable performing both software-related troubleshooting and hands-on field work.
• Strong communication skills, problem-solving ability, and customer service mindset.
• Willingness to participate in on-call rotations and travel based on regional service requirements.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and continue developing technical skills.

A college degree is not required. Relevant technical training and proven hands-on experience are highly valued.

Relevant Controls Systems & Technologies

Experience with one or more of the following is highly desirable:

PLC & Industrial Automation

• Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley
• Siemens
• Schneider Electric / Modicon
• PLC programming and ladder logic
• Function block diagrams

B…