Head of Mission Cirtical Engineering

Knobelsdorff; Eagan (MN); On-site; USD 189,000 - 223,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% employer-paid health and dental

HSA contributions

Company-paid life insurance and dis­ab

401(k) with company match

Paid weekly with competitive wages

PTO, six holidays, education reimburse

Exclusive employee discounts

Job summary

Knobelsdorff is seeking a senior controls/automation engineer to lead mission-critical data center projects. You will establish control architectures, engineering standards, and assurance processes across BMS, EPMS, PLC, SCADA, and networked systems, delivering reliable and scalable controls solutions while guiding engineering decisions.

You will mentor engineers, participate in workshops, and ensure quality throughout the project lifecycle, aligning with KE values of Safety, People, Passion,

Qualifications

• 12+ years of controls or automation engineering experience.
• 5+ years supporting data center controls systems and mission-critical facilities.
• 3+ years providing senior technical leadership across complex engineering projects.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Define controls architectures, system boundaries, interfaces, and acceptance criteria for mission-critical facilities.
• Develop complex controls designs and resolve high-level technical challenges.
• Review control narratives, sequences of operation, network architectures, and system integrations.
• Establish engineering review processes and technical assurance standards.
• Develop and maintain standards for alarming, graphics, naming conventions, documentation, and configuration management.
• Lead resilience and reliability assessments for controls systems and operational recovery scenarios.
• Coordinate technical integration across controls, electrical, mechanical, and network disciplines.
• Define testing strategies including FAT, SAT, and integrated systems testing.
• Lead root cause investigations and support corrective action planning.
• Support controls cybersecurity requirements, access controls, backups, and change management practices.
• Participate in customer workshops, proposals, and technical solution development.
• Mentor engineers and provide technical guidance across multiple projects.

Skills

Controls engineering

Data center controls

Senior technical leadership

Electrical engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering/Controls/Automation

Tools

PLC

BMS

SCADA

EPMS

Job description

Working at Knobelsdorff (KE)

Along with building state-of-the-art projects, we build meaningful careers, lasting opportunities, and teams of dedicated individuals who truly own their work. As a leading turnkey specialty contractor specializing in Automation, Electric, Energy, and Power Services, our team tackles challenging, cutting-edge projects that provide opportunities to build new skills, confidence, and gain valuable hands‑on experience in a variety of different industries. We tackle industrial electrical installations, advanced automation systems, and renewable energy solutions.

Since our founding as a family-owned company in 1988, we've grown while staying true to our core value. Starting your career with KE means joining a culture that values your contributions, moves quickly, takes calculated risks, and celebrates team members who step up and own their work.

If you're ready to join a team where your voice matters, your growth is supported, and your impact is celebrated, KE is the place for you.

Job Purpose

This role supports KE Automation's Mission Critical team by providing technical leadership for hyperscale data center controls projects. You'll be responsible for establishing controls architectures, engineering standards, and technical assurance processes across BMS, EPMS, PLC, SCADA, and networked control systems. Success in this role means delivering reliable, scalable, and maintainable controls solutions while guiding technical decisions, mentoring engineers, and ensuring quality throughout the project lifecycle, all while upholding KE's commitment to Safety, People, Passion, and Performance. If you're someone who enjoys solving complex technical challenges and shaping engineering excellence across large-scale mission-critical environments, this position is built for you.

What You'll Do

You’ll be part of a team that gets things done, works with purpose, and takes pride in the results. Your day-to-day responsibilities may include:

• Define controls architectures, system boundaries, interfaces, and acceptance criteria for mission‑critical facilities
• Develop complex controls designs and resolve high-level technical challenges
• Review control narratives, sequences of operation, network architectures, and system integrations
• Establish engineering review processes and technical assurance standards
• Develop and maintain standards for alarming, graphics, naming conventions, documentation, and configuration management
• Lead resilience and reliability assessments for controls systems and operational recovery scenarios
• Coordinate technical integration across controls, electrical, mechanical, and network disciplines
• Define testing strategies including FAT, SAT, and integrated systems testing
• Lead root cause investigations and support corrective action planning
• Support controls cybersecurity requirements, access controls, backups, and change management practices
• Participate in customer workshops, proposals, and technical solution development
• Mentor engineers and provide technical guidance across multiple projects

What You Bring

You’re someone who shows up ready to work hard, learn fast, and contribute to a team that takes pride in doing things right. Successful candidates typically bring:

• 12+ years of controls or automation engineering experience
• 5+ years supporting data center controls systems and mission-critical facilities
• 3+ years providing senior technical leadership across complex engineering projects
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent technical experience
• Strong expertise with PLC, BMS, SCADA, and industrial control systems
• Working knowledge of EPMS platforms, industrial networks, and facility system integration
• Experience developing controls architectures, technical standards, and engineering reviews
• Experience supporting testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and system turnover activitiesStrong understanding of reliability, redundancy, system recovery, and risk management principles
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and technical mentoring skills

Pay Range

We believe in paying for the value you bring to the team, and we aim to be competitive in every market we hire in.

Pay Range: $189,390.00 - $222,867.00 per year

Total Rewards Statement

As a full-time employee at KE, you'll have access to a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, wellbeing, and future.

• 100% employer-paid health and dental coverage for employees
• HSA contributions to support your medical expenses
• Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage
• 401(k) with competitive company match
• Paid weekly with competitive wages
• PTO, six paid holidays, and education reimbursement
• Exclusive employee discounts through Working Advantage

We believe your work should be rewarded with more than just a paycheck. At KE, we invest in your total wellbeing.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided for individuals with disabilities.

Typical Requirements May Include

• Ability to perform computer-based work for extended periods while reviewing technical documentation and engineering deliverables
• Ability to participate in meetings, design reviews, and site visits involving sitting, standing, and walking
• Ability to navigate manufacturing facilities, data center environments, and customer project sites, including stairs and uneven surfaces
• Ability to carry a laptop, project documentation, and other materials required for meetings and site visitsAbility to wear required PPE when visiting manufacturing facilities and project-site locations
• Ability to travel to customer and project sites as needed

Accessibility

If you need accommodations as part of the employment process, please contact KE Human Resources at [e-mail].

Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO)

KE is an EEO to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants Have Rights Under Federal Employment Laws

• EEO is the Law (English/Spanish)

KE E-Verify

KE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. For more information about E-Verify, please review the E-Verify Participation and Right to Work posters.

If you need accommodation during the hiring process, let us know and we’ll work with you.