Building Management Systems SME

Blackfield Associates; Richmond (VA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Blackfield Associates is seeking an experienced Building Management Systems (BMS) Subject Matter Expert to lead the BMS technical package on a major greenfield biologics project in Richmond, Virginia.

The role runs from Basic Design through Detailed Design, procurement, construction, commissioning, qualification, start-up and handover, starting remote and transitioning to site-based execution, with responsibility as client-side authority overseeing interfaces with HVAC, electrical, process

Qualifications

• Strong BMS and building automation experience from design through handover.
• GMP/GxP knowledge and data integrity experience.
• Experience coordinating with HVAC, electrical, process automation and CQV teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide BMS technical leadership from Basic Design through handover.
• Lead design reviews, identify risks, and advise on technical, cost, and schedule considerations.
• Review URS, FDS/SDS, control philosophies and sequences of operation.

Skills

BMS expertise

Technical leadership

GMP/GxP knowledge

Project coordination

URS/FDS/SDS review

Tools

FAT/SAT testing

DCS/SCADA integration

Job description

Building Management Systems (BMS) Subject Matter Expert

Location: Richmond, Virginia — initially a remote role, transitioning to site-based execution

Contract: Initial 12-months minimum contract, with expectation of a multi-year engagement

Project: Major greenfield biologics investment — circa $1 billion

Role Overview:

We're seeking an experienced Building Management Systems (BMS) SME to provide technical leadership within the client-side project execution team for a major greenfield biologics investment project in Richmond, Virginia.

The BMS SME will support the project from Basic Design through Detailed Design, procurement, construction, commissioning, qualification, start-up and handover. The role will initially be remote, transitioning to a site-based presence for execution.

The successful candidate will act as the client-side technical authority and owner representative for the BMS package, ensuring technical scope, design intent, quality and functionality are maintained through execution and operational readiness.

The role will involve coordination with areas such as HVAC, Mechanical, Electrical, Process Automation, CQV, Construction and Facilities/Operations.

Example Responsibilities:

Design & Technical Governance

• Provide BMS technical leadership from Basic Design through handover, establishing design philosophy, standards, specifications and technical requirements.
• Lead design reviews, identify risks and advise project leadership on technical, cost, schedule and operational considerations.
• Ensure BMS solutions are robust, compliant and fit for purpose, incorporating GMP/GxP.
• Ensure stakeholder and operational requirements are reflected in the design.
• Manage interfaces with HVAC, utilities, process and other facility systems.
• Lead/review BMS URS, functional requirements, control philosophies, FDS/SDS and sequences of operation.
• Review BMS architecture, controllers, networks, field devices and supervisory systems.
• Review points lists, I/O schedules, alarms, cause-and-effect, interlocks, graphics, trends and historical data.
• Provide technical guidance to engineering and work package teams.
• Support procurement strategy and development of BMS technical scopes and requirements.
• Lead/support technical evaluation and selection of BMS system integrators and controls contractors.
• Review supplier designs, technical submissions, deviations and documentation.
• Provide technical leadership during supplier design reviews and FAT preparation.
• Ensure supplier packages integrate with facility controls and IT/OT architecture.

Construction & Execution

• Support BMS technical delivery through construction, commissioning, qualification and handover.
• Provide oversight/support to contractors, system integrators and site teams, including review of BMS installation, panels, controllers, field devices, cabling and networks.
• Coordinate interfaces with HVAC, Electrical, Instrumentation, Process Automation, Fire & Life Safety and IT/OT.
• Act as senior escalation point for BMS issues and support technical completion and punch-list closure.
• Provide BMS technical leadership through commissioning, qualification and start-up.
• Review/approve FAT, SAT, commissioning, DQ, IQ and OQ documentation as required.
• Attend pre-FATs, FATs, SATs, site inspections and oversee point-to-point, loop checks, functional and integrated systems testing.
• Provide technical assurance of HVAC sequences, alarms, interlocks, permissives, redundancy and failure/recovery modes, supporting resolution of deviations.
• Ensure BMS systems are complete, compliant and operationally ready, supporting Take-Over, establishment batches and Hyper Care.

Handover

• Ensure final BMS documentation accurately reflects the installed system.
• Review as-builts, final points lists, software/configuration backups and O&M documentation.
• Support operator and maintenance training.
• Ensure outstanding technical issues are closed prior to handover.

Candidate Profile/Experience:

• Strong BMS / Building Automation / HVAC Controls experience from FEED/ Basic Design through to commissioning and handover, ideally as BMS SME, Technical Authority or Lead.
• Solid experience within pharmaceutical, biologics, API or other GMP-regulated facilities.
• Strong technical knowledge of BMS architecture, controllers, networks, field devices and their integration with PLC/DCS/SCADA, EMS, electrical, fire alarm and other facility systems.
• Experience developing/reviewing URS, FDS/SDS, control philosophies etc., with an understanding of GMP/GxP, data integrity, CQV and validation requirements.
• Proven experience with FAT/SAT, commissioning, integrated systems testing and IQ/OQ, including management of system integrators, contractors and technical work packages.
• Willingness to transition from full remote working to site-based execution in Virginia.