Automation Technical Lead – Utilities Systems

Kelly Services; Carolina (PR); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bi-weekly pay

Online training courses

Career opportunities

Career guides

Job summary

Kelly Services in the Carolina area seeks an Automation Technical Lead to drive Utilities and Building Management Systems initiatives, including HVAC and critical utilities integration. This role focuses on leading automation efforts, coordinating IT/OT interfaces, and ensuring compliant design and commissioning processes.

The candidate will own URS/FRS, control narratives, I/O lists, and network architecture, while mentoring engineers and coordinating with EPC partners and vendors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in electrical, mechanical, or controls engineering.
• 8+ years in industrial automation with 3+ years in lead or senior role.
• Hands‑on experience with BMS platforms and integration protocols listed.
• Experience with OT data collection and analytics desirable.
• Strong communication and cross‑functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation scope for Utilities and BMS including HVAC and critical utilities.
• Own technical requirements: URS/FRS, control narratives, I/O lists.
• Develop design deliverables from integrators and EPC partners.
• Support vendor selection, bids, and scope of work.
• Oversee commissioning readiness and qualification activities.
• Coordinate cutovers, downtime, and operational readiness.

Skills

Automation leadership

BMS systems

HVAC knowledge

Cybersecurity basics

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical/mechanical/controls engineering

Tools

Siemens Desigo

Rockwell Automation/Allen Bradley

BACnet/IP

Modbus TCP/RTU

OPC

Job description

At Kelly® Science, Engineering, Technology & Telecom (SETT), we’re passionate about helping you find a job that works for you. How about this one?

We’re seeking an Automation Technical Lead – Utilities & Building Management Systems to work with one of our top clients in the Carolina area. With us, it’s all about finding a job that’s just right.

Job Summary

Supports business maturity by continuously improving compliance processes, policies, and security risk dynamics. This role is responsible for the ITIL best practice technical control program and manages the risk assessment process for IT initiatives.

Essential Functions

• Technical lead for automation scope supporting Utilities and Building Management Systems (BMS), including HVAC, central plant, critical utilities monitoring, and facility integration points.

• Own automation/BMS technical requirements: URS/FRS, control narratives, I/O lists, points lists, network architecture, and cybersecurity requirements in coordination with IT/OT.

• Develop and review design deliverables (P&IDs, control diagrams, sequences of operation, panel designs, wiring schematics, and specifications) from integrators and EPC partners.

• Lead vendor/integrator selection support, technical bid evaluation, and scope-of-work definition; manage technical interfaces and clarify RFI responses.

• Drive commissioning readiness: review test protocols, support FAT/SAT/IOQ, oversee functional testing, manage punch lists, and ensure turnover packages are complete.

• Coordinate cutovers, downtime planning, and operational readiness with Facilities/Operations; provide troubleshooting support and root cause analysis.

• Ensure compliance with applicable standards and site procedures (e.g., GMP where applicable), including change control, documentation practices, and validation deliverables.

• Mentor engineers/technicians and establish standards for alarms, trending, graphics, naming conventions, and CMMS/EMS integrations.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical/mechanical/controls engineering (or equivalent experience).

• 8+ years of experience in industrial/facilities automation with at least 3 years in a technical lead or senior engineer role.

• Hands‑on experience with BMS and automation platforms (e.g., Siemens Desigo, Rockwell Automation/Allen Bradley) and integrations/protocols such as BACnet/IP, Modbus TCP/RTU, OPC, EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, and Fieldbus (as applicable).

• Experience with data historians and OT data collection (e.g., OSIsoft/AVEVA PI), including tag standards, data quality, and basic analytics/trending.

• Strong understanding of HVAC systems, central utilities, and building systems (AHUs, chillers, boilers, pumps, VFDs, cooling towers, steam, compressed air, WFI/RO where applicable).

• Ability to produce/review sequences of operation, control narratives, and commissioning/functional test documentation.

• Knowledge of OT networks, segmentation, and secure remote access; ability to collaborate with IT/cybersecurity teams on standards and risk mitigations.

• Proven experience supporting commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting in operating facilities.

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills; able to coordinate across Facilities, Operations, IT/OT, EPC, and vendors.

Salary Range: Negotiable.

Kelly PR Offers!

Exposure to a variety of career opportunities because of our expansive network of client companies

Career guides, information, and tools to help you successfully position yourself throughout every stage of your career

Access to more than 3,000 online training courses through our Kelly Learning Center

Bi-weekly pay

Among other benefits!

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work‑related resources. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short‑term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan.

Why Kelly ® Engineering?

Your engineering skills are in demand, but how do you find the right fit? Easy. At Kelly Engineering, our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world’s most critical challenges. We connect you with leading organizations where you can collaborate on innovative projects, work with cutting‑edge technologies and accelerate your growth. Whether you prefer the variety and flexibility of short‑term projects or are looking for a long‑term opportunity, we’re here to guide you to the next step in your engineering career.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life—just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Kelly may use AI‑powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice (https://www.kellyservices.com/hubfs/myKelly/Resources/Employment_Policies/Recruitment-Artificial-Intelligence-Notice.pdf?hsLang=en) .

Kelly Services is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affiliated Action employer. We welcome, value, and embrace diversity at all levels and are committed to building a team that is inclusive of a variety of backgrounds, communities, perspectives, and abilities. At Kelly, we believe that the more inclusive we are, the better services we can provide. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to Kelly’s Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment.