Senior Director, Controls & Automation

STACK Infrastructure APAC; Greater London; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

STACK Infrastructure in London seeks a Senior Director to lead Controls & Automation for EMEA. You will shape BMS design standards, drive scalable control solutions, and provide technical oversight across multiple data centre projects from concept through handover.

The role combines regional strategy with hands-on engineering leadership, mentoring a small regional team and coordinating with delivery partners to meet mission-critical requirements.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in controls engineering, BMS and industrial automation.
• Delivery leadership in hyperscale data centres or mission-critical environments.
• Ability to establish technical standards and repeatable engineering solutions.
• Strong knowledge of BMS architecture, networks, cybersecurity and relevant protocols.
• Leadership of specialist teams and stakeholders with commercial judgment.
• Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field; professional accreditation advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Act as regional BMS and controls authority, advising project teams and partners.
• Own the development of a standardised, scalable EMEA BMS product and engineering standards.
• Define system architectures, sequences, hardware, software, and interfaces with resilience and cybersecurity.
• Adapt standards to local regulations and customer requirements to improve reliability and delivery efficiency.
• Provide end-to-end technical oversight across multiple data centre projects from concept to handover.
• Review designs, drawings and specifications; ensure integration with mechanical and electrical infra.
• Oversee consultants and contractors; mitigate design and commissioning risks; support customer acceptance and RFS.
• Establish commissioning procedures and acceptance criteria; oversee testing levels as applicable.
• Provide hands-on troubleshooting and root-cause analysis for complex controls issues; support operations.
• Capture lessons learned and drive future design improvements.

Skills

BMS & controls engineering

Industrial automation

PLC & DDC controllers

SCADA

Cybersecurity for controls

IST & commissioning

Team leadership

Education

Electrical Engineering degree or equivalent

Tools

BACnet

Modbus

Networking protocols

Job description

Senior Director – Controls & Automation, EMEA

Role Summary

We are looking for an accomplished Controls & Automation leader to shape the design, standardisation and delivery of Building Management Systems (BMS) across STACK’s EMEA Data Centre portfolio. As our regional technical authority, you will establish scalable, repeatable controls solutions while ensuring they meet the demands of complex, mission-critical projects.

This is a high-impact role combining regional strategy with practical engineering leadership. You will influence technical decisions from concept and detailed design through construction, commissioning, Integrated Systems Testing (IST) and operational handover, working alongside delivery teams, contractors and customers. You will also lead a small regional specialist team and support multiple projects across Europe.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as STACK’s EMEA technical authority for BMS, controls and automation, challenging designs and advising project teams, customers and delivery partners.
• Own the development and continuous improvement of a standardised, scalable EMEA BMS product, including regional specifications, control philosophies and engineering standards.
• Define repeatable system architectures, sequences of operation, hardware and software, networks, communications, graphics, alarms and equipment interfaces, with appropriate resilience and cybersecurity.
• Adapt standards to local regulations and customer requirements, driving reliability, maintainability, innovation, delivery efficiency and cost optimisation.
• Provide end-to-end technical oversight across multiple Data Centre projects, from concept and detailed design through construction, integration, commissioning, IST and operational handover.
• Review and approve controls designs, drawings, technical submissions and specifications; ensure effective integration with mechanical, electrical and other critical infrastructure.
• Oversee consultants, contractors and specialist suppliers; identify and mitigate design, programme, integration and commissioning risks, supporting customer acceptance and Ready for Service (RFS).
• Establish commissioning procedures and acceptance criteria; oversee Level 3, 4 and 5 testing where applicable, including functional scripts and failure scenarios under normal and abnormal conditions.
• Provide hands-on troubleshooting, root cause analysis and technical support for complex controls and communications issues, including chilled water systems, chillers, pumps, valves and free cooling.
• Capture lessons learned and improve future designs, standards and operational performance.
• Lead and develop a small regional specialist team, balancing resources and priorities across projects and supporting recruitment and succession planning.
• Work closely with engineering, construction, commissioning, operations, commercial and global technical teams; build supplier relationships and report risks and technical performance to senior leaders.

What You’ll Bring

• Extensive experience in controls engineering, BMS or industrial automation, with a strong hands‑on background in programming, integration, engineering or commissioning.
• Significant delivery experience in hyperscale Data Centre’s or comparable mission‑critical environments, from design through construction, commissioning, IST and handover.
• Experience establishing technical standards, control philosophies and repeatable engineering solutions, alongside the judgement to balance strategy with practical delivery.
• Deep technical expertise in BMS, PLCs, DDC controllers, SCADA, controls logic, sequences of operation and system integration.
• Strong knowledge of Data Centre mechanical and electrical systems, particularly chilled water plant, chiller sequencing, pump controls and free cooling.
• Knowledge of BMS architecture, networks, resilience, cybersecurity, BACnet, Modbus, OPC UA and relevant communications protocols.
• Experience with functional testing, failure scenario validation, alarm management, trending and operational performance optimisation; familiarity with ASHRAE, EN 50600, IEC and applicable local standards.
• Proven ability to lead specialist teams and contractors across locations, solve complex technical problems and influence senior stakeholders with sound commercial judgement.
• A degree or equivalent qualification in Electrical Engineering, Controls, Automation, Mechatronics or a related field, or substantial equivalent practical experience. Professional accreditation or relevant certifications are advantageous.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to shape engineering standards and controls delivery across a growing portfolio of critical Data Centre infrastructure.
• A chance to build your career with STACK, working alongside experienced technical and delivery teams across EMEA.
• Competitive benefits aligned with local country policies.

About STACK Infrastructure

STACK is a proven, trusted partner for the world’s most innovative companies, designing, developing, and operating sustainable global digital infrastructure. Backed by an unmatched record of reliable delivery and development expertise, STACK brings speed, scale, certainty, and responsibility to the demands of a rapidly evolving digital infrastructure landscape.

For more information about STACK, please visit: www.stackinfra.com