Deputy Engineering Leader

Insight Global; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Insight Global is seeking a Deputy Engineering Leader to oversee a small team delivering BMS and EMCS solutions for mission-critical facilities. You will manage day-to-day technical leadership, design, implementation, testing, and commissioning across multiple projects.

The role combines leadership with hands-on engineering, including resource planning, mentoring, and ensuring adherence to standards. Experience with BACnet/IP, Modbus, and major BMS platforms is highly valued.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of BMS control system programming concepts, including ladder logic and structured text.
• Ability to review, guide, and approve technical work developed by others.

Responsibilities

• Lead and provide technical oversight to BMS controls engineers and field technicians on mission-critical projects.
• Coordinate engineering and field resources across multiple projects, including workload planning and scheduling.
• Mentor engineers and technicians and prepare team members for increased responsibility.
• Partner with project managers on technical scope, staffing, schedules, deliverables, and risks.
• Guide requirements development, system architecture, detailed design, implementation, testing, and commissioning.
• Ensure engineering standards, quality and best practices across BMS, EMCS, and automation projects.
• Review controller programming, sequences of operation, alarming, trending, graphics, and user interfaces.
• Lead design reviews, project gate checks, and technical reviews.
• Provide input on controls strategies, system architecture, integrations, and commissioning plans.
• Develop and review control narratives, point lists, test procedures, and commissioning records.
• Identify opportunities to improve engineering processes, delivery efficiency, quality, and consistency.
• Support integration between building, controls, and enterprise systems.

Skills

BMS control programming

Ladder logic

Structured text

Leadership readiness

Technical oversight

Project coordination

Systems integration

HVAC knowledge

BACnet/IP & Modbus

Reading drawings

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Master’s Degree in Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Niagara Framework

Ignition

Metasys

Desigo

Schneider EcoStruxure

Job description

The Deputy Engineering Leader will provide day-to-day leadership and technical oversight for a small team of controls engineers and field technicians delivering Building Management System (BMS) and Energy Management and Control System (EMCS) solutions for mission-critical facilities.

This role is an opportunity to step into a formal engineering leadership and management path while remaining technically involved. You will support engineering resource planning, team development, technical design, implementation, troubleshooting, and commissioning across multiple projects.

The ideal candidate has strong experience with BMS hardware/software platforms, HVAC and mechanical systems, BACnet and Modbus integrations, and controls programming. Experience with platforms such as Niagara, Desigo, EcoStruxure, Johnson Controls, Honeywell, Distech, Alerton, Ignition, or Metasys is highly relevant. Experience with EPMS/electrical infrastructure and data center or mission-critical environments is a plus.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and provide technical oversight to BMS controls engineers and field technicians supporting mission-critical projects.
• Coordinate engineering and field resources across multiple projects, including workload planning, schedules, and short-term resource forecasting.
• Mentor engineers and technicians, support skill development, and prepare team members for increased responsibility.
• Partner with project managers on technical scope, staffing, schedules, deliverables, and project risks.
• Guide requirements development, system architecture, detailed design, implementation, testing, and commissioning.
• Ensure engineering standards, quality expectations, and best practices are followed across BMS, EMCS, and automation projects.
• Review controller programming, sequences of operation, alarming, trending, graphics, and user interfaces.
• Lead and participate in design reviews, project gate checks, and technical reviews.
• Provide technical input on controls strategies, system architecture, integrations, and commissioning plans.
• Develop and review key project documentation, including control narratives, point lists, test procedures, and commissioning records.
• Identify opportunities to improve engineering processes, delivery efficiency, quality, and consistency.
• Support integration between building, controls, and enterprise systems.
• Reinforce safety expectations and maintain strong relationships with engineers, project managers, clients, and other stakeholders.

Core Qualifications

• Strong understanding of BMS control system programming concepts, including ladder logic and structured text.
• Ability to review, guide, and approve technical work developed by others.
• Strong troubleshooting experience with complex automation and system integration challenges.
• Demonstrated leadership readiness through mentoring, technical oversight, and team/project coordination.
• Ability to lead technical discussions with project teams, clients, and stakeholders.
• Experience designing, programming, troubleshooting, or reviewing BMS/DDC controllers.
• Experience with major BMS platforms such as Johnson Controls, Siemens, Honeywell, Distech, Alerton, or Schneider.
• Experience with supervisory/front-end platforms such as Niagara Framework, Ignition, Metasys, or Desigo.
• Strong ability to read and interpret mechanical, electrical, and controls drawings and specifications.
• Strong knowledge of HVAC and mechanical systems.
• Understanding of startup, point-to-point testing, functional testing, and commissioning, ideally within data centers or mission-critical facilities.
• Working knowledge of BACnet/IP and Modbus.
• Experience using AutoCAD for design review and coordination.
• EPMS and electrical infrastructure experience is a plus.

Preferred Certifications

• BMS/automation platform certifications, such as Niagara N4, Siemens Desigo, Schneider EcoStruxure, or Ignition
• DBIA, CSSA, and/or Certified Automation Professional (CAP)
• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering + 5+ years of recent construction industry experience, or
• Master’s Degree in Engineering + 3+ years of recent construction industry experience.
• Detail-oriented, motivated self-starter who can work independently while leading within a team environment.

Abilities

• Ability to work at a computer and sit for extended periods.
• Ability to use a keyboard and other standard office equipment.
• Ability to effectively listen, communicate verbally, and understand written information.
• Ability to analyze information and apply general principles to solve problems.