Controls Engineer

Job Title

Controls Engineer

Herndon, VA

As part of the global controls team, you will work with highly motivated experts and innovators in the data center industry. Your responsibilities will include troubleshooting, project management, and maintaining the Building Management System (BMS) and Electrical Power Monitoring System (EPMS). You will also develop new processes and standards while driving innovation in the controls space.

Data centers include multiple components such as generators, uninterruptible power supplies, diesel generators, electrical switch gear, power distribution units, variable frequency drives, automatic/static transfer switches, chillers (air‑cooled and water‑cooled), pumps, cooling towers, heat exchangers, CRAHs, air economizers, and more. These components have local control systems that interact via open and/or proprietary communication protocols. The BMS is the primary method of controlling all mechanical systems, while the EPMS is the primary method of monitoring all electrical systems within a data center.

• Train and assist internal customers and stakeholders with the creation, design, configuration, validation, installation, commissioning, and operation of BMS and EPMS systems.
• Provide technical assistance and support to operations throughout the data center lifecycle.
• Review results and action items from quarterly BMS and EPMS maintenance and ensure resolution.
• Develop project scopes, schedules, budgets, and level of effort (LOE) for BMS and EPMS initiatives.
• Manage scope, schedule, finances, and execution of BMS and EPMS improvement projects.
• Assist with procurement activities, including RFQs/RFPs, vendor proposal reviews, and purchase order issuance.
• Attend project meetings, coordinate with project leaders, and report status to controls and stakeholder management.
• Support commissioning activities related to controls projects.
• Review, implement, troubleshoot, and iterate on control sequences of operation (SOO), providing feedback to the design team.
• Develop and modify control logic programming and graphical user interfaces.
• Manage multiple stakeholder deliverables and navigate complex situations.
• Oversee BMS and EPMS service contracts and associated financials.
• Frequently visit local data centers to troubleshoot, meet with customers, and supervise vendor work for compliance with scope, design, SOO, and local codes.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or an equivalent engineering science.
• 5+ years of experience with industrial controls in critical environments (e.g., data centers, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, oil & gas, petrochemical, laboratory, power, water).
• 4+ years of general project or vendor management experience, including requests for proposals, bidding, change orders, quality control, and RFI/submittal tracking associated with construction and project execution.

• MS in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or Controls/Automation).
• Experience designing, configuring, programming, installing, troubleshooting, or servicing HVAC controls or electrical SCADA systems, including application-specific controllers, software, and networks.
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols such as MQTT, BACnet, and/or MODBUS.
• Strong understanding of engineering documentation, electrical and mechanical diagrams, and standard operating procedures.
• Proven ability to manage multiple stakeholder requirements and navigate challenging situations.
• Experience designing data centers or critical MEP infrastructure.
• Registered Professional Engineer (PE) or certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

This is a Contract position based out of Herndon, VA.

Pay range: $60.00 – $65.00 per hour.

Benefits (subject to eligibility and company policy):

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (voluntary life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long‑term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This position is anticipated to close on Jan 9, 2026.

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any characteristic protected by law.