HVAC Controls Engineer

Sterling St James Inc.; Rocky Hill (CT); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonus

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid vacation (15 days first year)

Relocation assistance or sign-on bonus

Job summary

Sterling St James Inc. is seeking an experienced HVAC Building Controls Application Engineer in Rocky Hill, CT to design, program, configure, and commission commercial building automation and HVAC control systems.

You will develop complete control solutions, from sequences of operation to electrical schematics, and collaborate with field technicians, customers, consultants, and subcontractors to ensure accurate, efficient implementation.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in a related technical discipline plus 2+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent hands-on industry experience without a degree as a HVAC Controls Technician/Engineer/Programmer/Installer.
• Strong knowledge of the commercial HVAC industry and BAS/BMS from design to commissioning.
• Understanding of control theory and automatic temperature controls (ATC).
• Experience with low-voltage building systems and controls wiring.

Responsibilities

• Design and configure commercial HVAC building automation and control systems based on project specifications and contract documents.
• Develop control drawings, flow diagrams, sequences of operation, bills of materials, network layouts, and electrical schematics.
• Develop, configure, and test software/programming to operate building control systems as required.
• Coordinate drawings, equipment schedules, submittals, and installation documentation.
• Assist with loading, programming, and commissioning system-level and network-level controllers.

Skills

HVAC controls

BAS/BMS

Control theory

Low-voltage wiring

Reading schematics

Troubleshooting

Communication

Education

Associate degree in related field

Bachelor’s degree (preferred)

Job description

HVAC Building Controls Application Engineer

Location: Rocky Hill, CT
Salary Range: $80,000 – $130,000 + Bonus (Higher if needed)
Position Type: Direct Hire / Full-Time

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced HVAC Building Controls Application Engineer to support the design, programming, configuration, commissioning, and troubleshooting of commercial building automation and HVAC control systems.

This position will be responsible for developing complete building control solutions based on project requirements, including control system design, sequences of operation, controller programming, network architecture, electrical schematics, equipment selection, and system commissioning.

The Application Engineer will work closely with field technicians, project teams, customers, consultants, and subcontractors to ensure building automation systems are designed and implemented accurately, efficiently, and according to project specifications.

This is an excellent opportunity for either an experienced BAS/Controls Engineer or a strong HVAC Controls Technician/Programmer interested in moving further into engineering and system design.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and configure commercial HVAC building automation and control systems based on project specifications and contract documents.
• Develop control drawings, flow diagrams, sequences of operation, bills of material, network layouts, and electrical schematics.
• Develop, configure, and test the software/programming required to operate building control systems according to project requirements.
• Coordinate preparation of drawings, equipment schedules, submittals, and installation documentation.
• Select and order controls equipment and materials while tracking deliveries against project schedules.
• Coordinate factory-mounted controls and equipment requirements.
• Assist with loading, programming, and commissioning system-level and network-level controllers.
• Perform functional validation of complete BAS/HVAC control systems.
• Troubleshoot controls, communications, programming, installation, and system-operation issues.
• Coordinate with field technicians, subcontractors, and other trades to resolve system issues and ensure proper operation.
• Provide field-change information required for development of accurate as-built drawings and final software documentation.
• Participate in project release and turnover meetings with field teams.
• Coordinate with project leadership to define engineering and field-execution responsibilities.
• Track project progress and communicate status, technical issues, and schedule concerns to appropriate project stakeholders.
• Provide technical guidance and work direction to design assistants and other assigned project resources when needed.
• Maintain a strong commitment to employee, subcontractor, and jobsite safety.
• Travel to customer/project sites within and occasionally outside the local area as required.

Required Qualifications

• Associate degree in a related technical discipline plus 2+ years of relevant experience, OR equivalent hands-on industry experience without a degree as a commercial HVAC Controls Technician, Controls Engineer, BAS Programmer, or Controls Installer.
• Strong working knowledge of the commercial HVAC industry.
• Knowledge of control theory and automatic temperature controls (ATC).
• Experience with Building Automation Systems (BAS/BMS) from a design, installation, programming, and/or commissioning perspective.
• Understanding of commercial HVAC equipment and building control sequences.
• Experience with low-voltage building systems and controls wiring.
• Ability to read and develop technical drawings, schematics, sequences, and system documentation.
• Strong computer and software skills.
• Ability to troubleshoot technical system issues and work effectively with field personnel.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to travel to project sites as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline with 3+ years of relevant controls experience, OR
• Associate degree in a related technical field with 5+ years of relevant experience, OR
• Equivalent industry experience as a commercial HVAC Controls Technician, Engineer, Programmer, or Installer.
• Strong experience with commercial BAS/HVAC controls design, programming, installation, and commissioning.
• Experience working with complex building automation projects involving multiple controllers, networks, equipment types, and building subsystems.

Compensation & Benefits

Base Salary: $80,000 – $110,000, depending on experience, education, technical background, and overall qualifications.

Exceptional candidates with particularly strong BAS/HVAC controls experience may be considered beyond the typical compensation profile.

Additional compensation and benefits include:

• Performance-based bonus opportunity
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Benefits available from day one
• 15 days of paid vacation during the first year
• Paid holidays and sick time
• Extensive technical, product, and on-the-job training
• Cross-training and professional development opportunities
• Career advancement opportunities
• Collaborative technical team environment
• Relocation assistance or sign-on bonus when applicable
• Company vehicle when applicable

Ideal Background

The strongest candidates will have hands-on experience working with commercial HVAC controls and Building Automation Systems and understand how a controls project moves from design through installation, programming, startup, commissioning, and final turnover.