Principal Controls Engineer- Data Center

Principal Data Center Automation Engineer

You'll work individually and in teams to support capital projects and implement solutions for our clients. Together, you will help our clients make critical changes to improve their performance and realize their most important goals.

• Act as the firm’s subject matter expert in Data Center Building Automation Systems (BAS/BMS) and Electrical Power Monitoring Systems (EPMS), with deep expertise in platforms such as Rockwell Studio 5000, Inductive Automation Ignition, Tridium Niagara, Schneider Eco Struxure, and industry standards like BACnet and Modbus.
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams through the full lifecycle of complex BAS and EPMS projects—from requirements gathering and system architecture through implementation, commissioning, and client turnover—ensuring compliance with quality, schedule, and budget targets.
• Develop and mentor engineering talent, providing technical leadership, peer reviews, and growth opportunities to elevate the team’s capabilities in automation, power systems integration, and data center infrastructure.
• Drive the development of enterprise-wide standards and best practices for building automation and power monitoring, focusing on scalability, cybersecurity, redundancy, and operational efficiency in data center applications.
• Serve as a strategic partner to clients, translating technical needs into engineered solutions, communicating effectively with stakeholders, and building long-term relationships through the consistent delivery of high-value results.
• Champion innovation in BAS/EPMS technologies, continuously evaluating emerging tools, protocols, and strategies to improve system resilience, energy efficiency, and fault diagnostics.
• Support business development efforts, including technical input for proposal development, and contributing to long-term growth strategies focused on mission-critical facilities.

• Minimum of 15 years of progressive engineering experience in building automation, electrical power monitoring systems (EPMS), and integrated controls within mission-critical environments—especially data centers—including significant leadership and client-facing responsibilities.
• Deep expertise in BAS and EPMS platforms, such as Rockwell Studio 5000, Inductive Automation Ignition, Tridium Niagara, Schneider Eco Struxure, and industry standards like BACnet and Modbus.
• Extensive experience with field instrumentation, industrial networking, PLC/DDC system integration, Panel Design and SCADA architectures used for environmental and electrical system monitoring.
• Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams in the successful design, implementation, and commissioning of complex BAS and EPMS solutions across multiple projects.
• Exceptional communication and leadership skills, with the ability to interface effectively with both technical teams and executive-level clients, translating technical requirements into strategic solutions.
• Strong background in proposal development, cost estimation, and scope definition for automation and monitoring system projects, with an emphasis on scalability, resilience, and lifecycle performance.
• Analytical mindset with advanced troubleshooting abilities, capable of resolving complex operational challenges and delivering innovative, reliable, and secure solutions.
• Recognized thought leader or subject matter expert in the BAS/EPMS space, with contributions to industry groups, standards bodies, or technical conferences considered a plus.
• Flexibility and willingness to travel for project execution, client engagements, commissioning activities, and industry events.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering (Master’s degree and/or Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred).
• Knowledge of datacenter/mission critical commissioning requirements L1-L5.
• Experience with datacenter and mission critical greenfield construction.

At Design Group, our people-first culture is what makes us different. We foster a work environment rooted in respect, accountability, and a deep investment in the growth of our team members. Our entrepreneurial model…