Controls Engineer

GCS Recruitment; Hamlet (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

GCS Recruitment seeks Controls Engineering Technicians (L4/L5) to support deployment, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of mission-critical control systems in large-scale data centers. You will work with BMS, BAS, and EPMS to monitor cooling, environmental, and power systems.

The role emphasizes electrical, mechanical, and networking fundamentals, hands-on troubleshooting in live facilities, and strict adherence to safety and change-management procedures.

Qualifications

• Experience with control systems, BAS/BMS, and EPMS in critical facilities.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and wiring diagrams.
• Experience following commissioning processes and change management.

Responsibilities

• Configure, provision, and validate controllers, IPCs, HMIs, and related hardware.
• Install software, apply configurations, and support system startup activities.
• Perform point-to-point verification of sensors, controllers, and field devices.
• Validate communications between field equipment, control systems, and operator interfaces.
• Support commissioning and startup activities for new data center facilities.
• Develop and maintain control system graphics and displays.
• Maintain inventories, asset records, and configuration documentation.
• Execute deployment and commissioning procedures per standards.

Skills

Electrical basics

Mechanical basics

Networking basics

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Education

4+ years in controls or related field with degree/cert

3+ years directly relevant experience

6+ years without formal credentials

Tools

CCST Certification

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking Controls Engineering Technicians (L4/L5) to support the deployment, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of mission-critical control systems within large-scale data center environments.

This role supports the systems responsible for monitoring and controlling critical infrastructure, including cooling, environmental, and power distribution equipment. Technicians will work across Building Management Systems (BMS), Building Automation Systems (BAS), and Electrical Power Monitoring Systems (EPMS) in both new construction and operational facilities.

The ideal candidate brings a strong foundation in electrical, mechanical, and networking principles, along with hands-on troubleshooting experience in critical environments where reliability, safety, and procedural compliance are essential.

Key Responsibilities

Commissioning & Deployment

• Configure, provision, and validate controllers, industrial PCs (IPCs), HMIs, and related control system hardware.
• Install software, apply configurations, and support system startup activities.
• Perform point-to-point verification of sensors, controllers, and field devices.
• Validate communications between field equipment, control systems, and operator interfaces.
• Support commissioning and startup activities for new data center facilities.
• Develop and maintain control system graphics and operational displays.
• Maintain inventories, asset records, and configuration documentation.
• Execute deployment and commissioning procedures in accordance with established standards and processes.

Operations & Maintenance

• Troubleshoot control system, networking, communication, and field device issues.
• Investigate alarms, faults, and performance issues across BMS and EPMS platforms.
• Diagnose issues involving sensors, relays, controllers, and monitoring systems.
• Escalate complex issues and implement corrective actions as directed by engineering teams.
• Document troubleshooting activities, system changes, and resolutions.
• Support preventive maintenance and reliability initiatives.
• Adhere to safety, change management, and operational procedures within mission-critical environments.

Required Qualifications

• Alternatively, 3+ years of directly relevant experience without formal technical credentials.

• 4+ years of experience in controls, building automation, HVAC controls, instrumentation, commissioning, or a related field with a degree, certification, trade credential, or military technical training.
• Alternatively, 6+ years of directly relevant experience without formal technical credentials.

Technical Qualifications

• Working knowledge of electrical, mechanical, and networking fundamentals.
• Experience supporting control systems, instrumentation, field devices, and industrial communication networks.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, control drawings, and technical documentation.
• Experience troubleshooting sensors, relays, controllers, communication networks, and monitoring systems.
• Proficiency using diagnostic and testing equipment, including multimeters and network troubleshooting tools.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a structured troubleshooting approach.
• Experience following commissioning processes, operational procedures, and change management requirements.

Critical Facilities Experience

• Experience working in environments where reliability, safety, and operational continuity are critical.
• Understanding of operational risk and the importance of procedural compliance in live facilities.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation and execute work with a high degree of attention to detail.

• Experience with low-voltage copper and fiber infrastructure.
• ISA Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST) certification.
• Military technical experience in electronics, HVAC, controls, instrumentation, or power systems.
• Previous data center experience.

GCS is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.