Engineering Manager – Critical Infrastructure

Smart Tech Contracting, LLC; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical plans

401k with company match

Paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Smart Tech Contracting, LLC is seeking a remote Engineering Manager for critical infrastructure projects. This senior role leads the hardware engineering function, focusing on PLC/SCADA-based systems, ensuring engineering excellence across mission-critical projects.

The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in industrial-grade control system design and the execution of large-scale projects. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including multiple medical plan options, 401k matching, and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in hands-on controls infrastructure.
• 10+ years of experience in BAS, EPMS, PLC, or SCADA.
• Experience leading engineering for large-scale mission-critical projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead hardware engineering for mission-critical projects.
• Establish department standards and improvement practices.
• Provide project oversight and quality assurance for engineering deliverables.

Skills

PLC and SCADA systems

Industrial control panel design

Engineering standards

Project execution workflows

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

MS Office Suite

Job description

Position Title: Engineering Manager - Critical Infrastructure

Position Location: Remote - work virtually from anywhere in the United States

JOB SUMMARY

The Engineering Manager – Critical Infrastructure is the senior hardware engineering leader for the Critical Infrastructure department and is accountable for engineering excellence across CI projects, including standards, technical quality, engineering resource alignment, and deliverable execution.

This role leads the hardware engineering function for large-scale and mega-scale mission critical projects, with a primary focus on PLC / SCADA‑based control systems, industrial control panels, field integration, and related control system infrastructure.

Unlike traditional commercial BAS engineering roles centered on building‑level DDC applications, this position requires deep expertise in industrial‑grade control system design and the execution realities of hyperscale and other mission critical environments.

This role is NOT responsible for software engineering management. Smart Tech Contracting maintains separate leadership for PLC programming and SCADA software standards and delivery. However, this role must work closely with software leadership to ensure alignment between hardware engineering, software implementation, and overall project execution.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Department Engineering Leadership and Standards (30%)

• Serve as the senior hardware engineering leader for the Critical Infrastructure department, with primary accountability for PLC / SCADA‑based engineering execution across CI projects.
• Establish, maintain, and improve department standards, design practices, workflows, and deliverable expectations for mission critical control systems, industrial control panels, field integration, and related hardware engineering.
• Provide technical leadership for complex control system applications supporting central utility plants, technical water systems, airside systems, heat rejection systems, EPMS integrations, and other mission critical infrastructure.
• Partner with software engineering leadership to ensure alignment between hardware design and software implementation.

Project Setup, Technical Oversight, and Quality (35%)

• Provide senior engineering leadership to ensure CI projects are set up for success, including technical strategy, review structure, resource alignment, and early identification of engineering risk.
• Lead or support engineering strategy for first‑of‑a‑kind programs, new client standards, and highly complex projects.
• Maintain accountability for the quality, consistency, and completeness of hardware engineering deliverables across the CI department.
• Ensure quality control processes and technical reviews are clearly defined and executed.

Resource Planning, Staffing, and Team Development (20%)

• Assign engineering resources based on project size, technical complexity, client requirements, schedule demands, and staff development needs.
• Partner with leadership on hiring, staffing strategy, organizational planning, and capability development.
• Develop technical leaders and establish training priorities related to PLC platforms, SCADA systems, industrial control panels, mission critical applications, engineering standards, and review practices.
• Build department capability through standardization, mentoring, and continuous improvement.

Client, Preconstruction, and Cross‑Functional Leadership (15%)

• Support business development, preconstruction, and department leadership by providing technical input on control architecture, engineering risk, staffing, and delivery approach.
• Participate in client‑facing discussions for major pursuits, first‑of‑a‑kind opportunities, and strategic programs requiring deep PLC / SCADA and mission critical engineering expertise.
• Coordinate with project management, construction leadership, BIM / VDC, procurement, commissioning, software leadership, executive leadership, clients, vendors, and strategic partners.
• Communicate engineering risks, quality concerns, staffing needs, and technical priorities clearly across the organization.

Completion of assigned tasks and deliverables on time and on budget.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Advanced level experience with the following is preferred:

• PLC and SCADA systems used in building automation and mission critical infrastructure applications.
• Hardware engineering for BAS and EPMS solutions in large, complex mission critical environments.
• Industrial control panel design, component selection, layout, panel integration, and constructability.
• Developing and enforcing engineering standards, review processes, quality expectations, and QC practices.
• Leading engineering teams responsible for complex control system deliverables.
• Assigning resources and matching technical talent to project complexity and delivery needs.
• BAS / EPMS project designs, client standards, needs, options, and tradeoffs.
• Mission critical project execution workflows, construction design process, commissioning rigor, phased turnover, and redundancy.
• Data center HVAC applications, chilled water plants, heat rejection systems, airside systems, and associated control strategies.
• Instrumentation, sensors, actuators, valves, field devices, control system networking, IT / OT interfaces, and OT protocols including BACnet, Modbus, SNMP, MQTT, and related integrations.
• EPMS integration requirements and the relationship between BAS, PLC, SCADA, and power monitoring systems.
• Revit, AutoCAD, MS Office Suite, Teams, and coordination with BIM / VDC resources.
• Communicating directly with technical and non‑technical stakeholders, including clients and strategic leadership.
• Working successfully in a remote environment through effective communication, self‑motivation, proactiveness, and resourcefulness.
• Following company and site safety requirements and working under pressure to meet close deadlines.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction, or related discipline

OR

• Eight years of experience with hands‑on installation, testing, validation, troubleshooting, or field leadership of controls infrastructure

PLUS

• Minimum ten years of additional experience with BAS, EPMS, PLC, and / or SCADA controls engineering.
• Significant experience leading engineering execution for large‑scale mission critical, industrial, or hyperscale data center projects.
• At least half of this experience should be with hyperscale or colocation data center projects or other critical infrastructure markets.
• Prior experience leading engineering teams, technical standards, staffing decisions, and quality oversight across multiple concurrent projects is strongly preferred.

TRAVEL / RELOCATION REQUIREMENTS

Up to 15% travel may be required. Effective May 7, 2025, and in accordance with U.S. federal regulations for domestic air travel, a valid REAL ID or acceptable alternative, such as a passport, is required for travel associated with this position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The employee may be required to remain in a stationary position, manipulate small parts/devices/tools, move through office and critical facility environments, ascend/descend stairs or ladders, access equipment areas, and occasionally move equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.

BENEFITS

Smart Tech Contracting offers a very competitive benefits package; highlights include:

• Choice of comprehensive medical plans, including PPO‑style plans and a HDHP w/ HSA option
• Dental and vision plans
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits extended to spouse / domestic partner and dependent children up to age 26
• 401k with company match and self‑directed brokerage account option
• PTO, including additional paid time off during the last week of the year
• Company‑paid life insurance coverage for employees and eligible dependents
• Short and long‑term disability, AD&D coverage
• Professional development opportunities, tuition reimbursement, and professional licensing assistance
• Paid parental leave after one year of employment

CO, CA, IL, NY, WA, and Washington DC residents only: In accordance with CO, CA, IL, NY, WA, and Washington DC law, the range provided is STC's reasonable estimate of the base compensation for this role. The actual amount may differ based on non‑discriminatory factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and location.

Smart Tech Contracting is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and participates in the E-Verify program with the Department of Homeland Security. We encourage diversity in our workforce.