Controls Engineer – Chillers

ESP Enterprises, Inc.; Plano (TX); Hybrid; USD 159,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k) match

Paid vacation

Sick leave

Holidays

Job summary

ESP Enterprises, Inc. is seeking a senior Controls Engineer to own control system design for centrifugal chillers and modular chiller plants.

You will collaborate across mechanical, electrical, and controls teams and coordinate with customers and suppliers in NA, including Japan, to drive from concept through commissioning. You will define architectures, control strategies, and interfaces, and contribute to next-gen modular cooling products while traveling domestically and internationally as

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical, controls, or mechanical engineering.
• 7+ years in control system design for HVAC, chillers, or industrial systems.
• Ownership of design from concept through commissioning.
• Strong knowledge of control logic, PLC/DDC systems, and automation.
• Experience with multi-discipline system integration and interface definition.
• Ability to read and develop control diagrams, sequences of operation, and specs.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Design and review control logic for centrifugal chiller and modular plant systems.
• Define system architecture and control strategies for temperature, flow, and energy optimization.
• Select control hardware and define network architecture.
• Design and validate interfaces between chillers, pumps, valves, and supervisory systems (BMS/DCIM).
• Write control narratives, sequences of operation, and functional specifications.
• Own engineering calculations (load flow, short circuit, protection, arc flash, harmonics).
• Define interface requirements and boundaries with customers and suppliers.
• Serve as technical contact for customers and suppliers pre- and post-contract award.
• Support proposals by defining control system scope and solutions.
• Participate in testing, commissioning, site validation, and troubleshoot control performance.

Skills

Control systems design

PLC/DDC

Industrial automation

HVAC/chillers

System integration

Technical communication

Travel availability

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical/controls/mechanical engineering

Job description

Controls Engineer – Chillers

Location: Plano, TX (Hybrid; onsite for the first 30 days)
Employment Type: Direct Hire
Compensation: $159,000 – $180,000 base
Relocation: Up to $25,000 in relocation assistance
Travel: Up to 25%, domestic and international

About the Opportunity
Our client, a global leader in industrial and energy technology, is building a new division focused on data center cooling solutions across North America. As a new division, it offers long-term stability and room to grow. They are seeking a senior Controls Engineer to own control system design for centrifugal chillers and modular chiller plants, from early concept through commissioning. This person will work across mechanical, electrical, and controls disciplines and partner with customers, suppliers, and engineering teams in Japan and the U.S.

What You'll Do

• Design and review control logic for centrifugal chiller and modular chiller plant systems.
• Define system architecture and control strategies for temperature, flow, and energy optimization.
• Select control hardware and define network architecture.
• Design and validate interfaces between chillers, pumps, valves, and supervisory systems (BMS/DCIM).
• Write control narratives, sequences of operation, and functional specifications.
• Own supporting engineering calculations (load flow, short circuit, protection coordination, arc flash, harmonics) and keep them traceable to requirements.
• Define interface requirements and responsibility boundaries with customers and suppliers.
• Act as a technical contact for customers and suppliers before and after contract award.
• Support proposals by defining control system scope, assumptions, and solutions.
• Participate in testing, commissioning, and site validation, and troubleshoot control performance issues.Lead vendor design reviews and drive corrective actions.
• Contribute to next-generation modular cooling products and advanced controls.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical, controls, or mechanical engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of control system design or engineering for HVAC, centrifugal chillers, or industrial systems. Experience at a major chiller manufacturer such as Trane or JCI is highly valued.
• Proven design ownership from concept through commissioning.
• Strong knowledge of control logic, PLC/DDC systems, and industrial automation.
• Experience with multi-discipline system integration and interface definition.
• Ability to read and develop control diagrams, sequences of operation, and functional specifications.
• Strong communication skills with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in electrical, controls, or mechanical engineering.
• 10+ years in control system engineering for HVAC, chiller, or industrial systems.
• A track record of developing new control solutions or products and bringing them to market.
• Project management, customer support, and testing/commissioning experience.

Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision coverage; 401(k) with company match; paid vacation and sick time; 15 paid holidays; and strong growth potential in a newly launched division.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship.