Director of Smart Buildings

Element Six; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Element Six seeks a Director of Smart Buildings to lead end-to-end digital building programs in North America. You will guide integration strategies across MEP, controls, IT/OT, and workplace systems, serving as the technical and client-facing lead.

You will define how data is collected, shared, and leveraged across the building lifecycle, collaborating with mechanical, electrical, and technology teams to deliver measurable outcomes in performance, energy, and user experience. 10–20% travel.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in smart buildings, building automation, or enterprise systems integration.
• Strong understanding of HVAC fundamentals and how they relate to data and interoperability.
• Knowledge of protocols such as BACnet IP, Modbus, MQTT, and REST APIs.
• Practical knowledge of platforms such as Niagara, OEM BAS, IWMS, or workplace apps.
• Experience managing complex, multi-disciplinary projects with multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead smart building strategy, design, and delivery across enterprise portfolios.
• Serve as the client’s primary contact for smart building initiatives.
• Translate business needs into actionable integration roadmaps and standards.
• Develop and review architecture diagrams, data flows, integration specs, control intent, and commissioning requirements.
• Coordinate internal and external stakeholders including MEP teams, integrators, and vendors.
• Oversee project execution through FAT, integration testing, and validation.
• Support post-occupancy analytics, dashboards, and optimization efforts.
• Manage budgets, schedules, and quality to ensure profitability.

Skills

Smart buildings

Systems integration

Data exchange

HVAC basics

Client-facing

Tools

Niagara

IWMS

OEM BAS

BAS

Job description

Our client is a leading engineering and technology consultancy supporting some of North America's most advanced mission-critical and enterprise environments. They deliver smart building and integration programs that connect people, systems, and data, improving efficiency, sustainability, and operational performance.

This is a leadership opportunity to shape how large-scale buildings think, communicate, and perform.

Our client is seeking a Director of Smart Buildings to lead end-to-end delivery of digital building programs. You will serve as the technical and client-facing lead, guiding integration strategies that bridge MEP, controls, IT/OT, and workplace systems.

You will define how data is collected, shared, and leveraged across the building lifecycle, working closely with mechanical, electrical, and technology teams to deliver measurable outcomes in performance, energy, and user experience.

You'll also;

• Lead smart building strategy, design, and delivery across enterprise and mission-critical portfolios
• Serve as the client’s primary point of contact for all smart building initiatives
• Translate business and operational needs into actionable integration roadmaps and standards
• Develop and review key deliverables: architecture diagrams, data flows, integration specs, control intent, and commissioning requirements
• Coordinate internal and external stakeholders, including MEP teams, integrators, and vendors
• Oversee project execution through FAT, integration testing, and validation
• Support post-occupancy analytics, dashboards, and optimization efforts
• Manage budgets, schedules, and quality, ensuring projects deliver impact and profitability

What makes this role different?

• Ownership: Your voice will shape the direction of a growing smart buildings division
• Full lifecycle: From strategy through design, implementation, and operations
• Integration-first: Close collaboration with MEP and technology specialists to deliver unified outcomes
• Client visibility: Direct engagement with leading enterprise clients and next-gen programs

To be considered, we're looking for someone with;

• 8+ years of experience across smart buildings, building automation, or enterprise systems integration
• Strong understanding of HVAC and controls fundamentals and how they relate to data and interoperability
• Understanding of protocols such as BACnet IP, Modbus, MQTT, and REST APIs
• Practical knowledge of one or more key platforms (e.g., Niagara, OEM BAS, IWMS, or workplace apps)
• Experience managing complex, multi-disciplinary projects with multiple stakeholders

Location and travel

• Based in SFO or commutable once every two weeks (Open to other California locations)
• Approx. 10–20% travel

Success in the first year?

• Successful delivery of multiple programs with positive client feedback
• Consistent, repeatable standards and architectures established across projects
• Recognized as a subject-matter expert in smart building strategy and integration
• Strong profitability and client satisfaction within managed accounts