Lead Control Systems Engineer

TRC Talent Solutions; North Carolina; On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialized engineering consultancy in North Carolina is looking for a Lead Control Systems Engineer to design and lead building automation projects. This role involves providing technical leadership to project teams, developing instrumentation lists, and ensuring successful system startup and acceptance. Ideal candidates should have a technical degree and over 3 years of relevant experience, particularly in controls and HVAC systems. Strong familiarity with various control technologies is preferred.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in controls, automation, or a related industry.
• Experience specifying instrumentation and control valves for HVAC systems.
• Ability to interpret sequences of operation and P&IDs for HVAC systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead building automation projects.
• Provide technical leadership to project teams.
• Lead customer meetings and technical discussions.
• Develop instrument lists based on P&ID drawings.
• Configure user interfaces and HMI screens.
• Train customer personnel on system operation.

Skills

Technical guidance and leadership

Controls, automation

HVAC systems knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a technical field

Tools

FactoryTalk Suite

RSLogix / Studio 5000

PlantPAx DCS

AVEVA System Platform

Inductive Automation Ignition

BACnet controllers

VBA

Python

Job description

TRC is seeking a Lead Control Systems Engineer for our client in the North Carolina area. This role is responsible for designing and leading building automation projects, providing technical leadership, and supporting customers from concept through system startup and acceptance. Day-to-day responsibilities will vary based on project requirements and customer needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance and leadership to project teams of 2–5 engineers
• Identify, assign, and manage engineering tasks within project teams
• Lead customer meetings and technical discussions
• Support proposal development, including estimating hardware costs and engineering labor
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with existing customers

Instrumentation & Electrical Design (30%)

• Develop instrument lists based on P&ID drawings
• Research and select appropriate instrumentation, including temperature transmitters, pressure transmitters, flow meters, and valve actuators
• Select controls hardware suitable for project requirements
• Prepare submittal documentation for controls and instrumentation hardware
• Design panel layouts and electrical schematics for control enclosures
• Procure project hardware and coordinate deliveries
• Provide technical support to panel fabrication technicians
• Inspect completed control panels and enclosures

System Design & Configuration (30%)

• Configure user interfaces and HMI screens
• Develop and configure DDC, PLC, and/or DCS control algorithms
• Perform internal functional testing and quality control checks
• Prepare system documentation
• Support customer demonstrations and factory acceptance testing

Onsite System Startup (20%)

• Deploy project software and configurations to site systems
• Participate in point-to-point and loop checks for instrumentation
• Perform software calibration and tuning
• Execute functional testing of systems
• Troubleshoot installation and commissioning issues
• Support customer site acceptance testing
• Implement field modifications as required
• Train customer personnel on system operation and maintenance

Qualifications

Technical Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field or related technical degree
• 3+ years of experience in controls, automation, or a related industry

Controls Experience (one or more preferred)

• Rockwell Automation: FactoryTalk Suite, RSLogix / Studio 5000; familiarity with PlantPAx DCS
• AVEVA System Platform
• Inductive Automation Ignition (Perspective)
• Distech Controls: BACnet and LON controllers, including Eclypse controllers

Additional Technologies (Preferred)

• Johnson Controls: Facility Explorer or Metasys
• SQL
• Scripting languages such as VBA or Python
• Kepware OPC Server, ThinManager, VMware

HVAC & Building Automation Knowledge

• Understanding of HVAC systems in large building automation environments
• Ability to interpret sequences of operation and P&IDs for HVAC and plant utilities
• Experience with functional testing, including developing and executing test plans
• Experience specifying instrumentation and control valves for HVAC systems