Lead, Automation & Controls Technician, NA

About Vantage Vantage powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world’s well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

Automation Systems Department The Automation Systems Group is responsible for the design, construction and support of cutting-edge data center automation and control infrastructure. The department collaborates with Operations, Sales, Construction, Engineering, Information Technology and Management to ensure the system continues to fulfill Vantage customer requirements.

Automation Systems works closely with partner contractors to come up with the best design and helps manage these partners to success by providing accurate requirements, goals, and timelines. In addition to design and construction, we are also responsible for the technical requirements of the Operations Department involving troubleshooting, calibrating, and repairing mission critical control systems throughout all Vantage locations

Position Overview This role is based on-site in Ashburn, VA in alignment with our flexible work policy. (3 days on site required, 2 days flexible). We are interviewing for a Automation & Controls Technician OR Lead Automation & Controls Technician for our Ashburn, VA campuses. Through the process of the interviews, we will determine at which level to hire based on the skills presented and verified.

Vantage is seeking a hands-on and technically capable Lead Automation and Controls Technician or Automation and Controls Technician to support the daily operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of industrial automation systems across its data center portfolio. This role is responsible for executing automation tasks, assisting with system diagnostics, and ensuring the reliable performance of PLCs, HMIs, and related control infrastructure. The Automation and Controls Technician will work closely with Senior Specialists, Developers, and Operations teams to maintain system integrity and contribute to continuous improvement efforts.

This position is ideal for an experienced automation and controls technician with a strong interest in industrial controls and a desire to grow within a mission-critical environment.

Essential Job Functions System Monitoring and Support
· Monitor automation systems for power and cooling infrastructure across assigned data center sites
· Assist in diagnosing and resolving issues related to PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, and field devices
· Escalate complex issues to senior team members and support root-cause analysis efforts

Routine Maintenance and Execution
· Perform routine checks, firmware updates, and basic configuration changes on control systems
· Support the deployment of automation systems during construction and retrofit projects
· Develop and maintain accurate documentation for control systems, wiring diagrams, and device configurations

Collaboration and Communication
· Work closely with Senior Specialists and Developers to implement automation changes and enhancements
· Coordinate with Operations teams to ensure systems meet performance and reliability expectations
· Communicate technical observations and status updates clearly to team members

Data Collection and System Logging
· Collect operational data from automation systems for reporting and analysis
· Ensure proper system logging and data integrity across platforms
· Assist in identifying trends or anomalies in system performance

Compliance and Safety
· Follow established protocols for system access, change management,…