Manager, Controls Engineering

AAON, Inc.; Redmond (OR); Hybrid; USD 111,000 - 167,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time-off

Paid holidays

Healthcare insurance & Health Savings

Profit sharing or Annual Incentive

Premium 401(k) plan

Job summary

AAON, Inc. seeks a Manager, Controls Engineering to lead the Controls Engineering team responsible for design, programming, commissioning and continuous improvement of HVAC and electrical controls architectures.

You will set department goals, mentor engineers, collaborate with Product Engineering, Manufacturing, Service and R&D, and act as the technical authority on HVAC controls, PLC programming and DDC systems. Hybrid work may be available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Controls/Mechanical/Computer Engineering or related field.
• 8–15 years of controls engineering experience with 3–5 years of leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Controls Engineers and Controls Technicians.
• Establish department goals, priorities, staffing plans, and performance expectations.
• Coach, evaluate performance, and plan career development.
• Support recruiting, onboarding, and training of controls personnel.
• Serve as the technical authority for HVAC controls systems, PLC programming, and DDC controls.
• Review and approve controls architectures, sequences of operation, and electrical designs.
• Collaborate with Product Engineering, Manufacturing, Service, and R&D teams.
• Support manufacturing, commissioning, startup activities, and field issue escalation.
• Drive automation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and maintain engineering standards, documentation, and training materials.

Skills

HVAC controls

PLC programming

DDC programming

Leadership

Project management

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Controls/Mechanical/Computer Engineering

Tools

Carel platform

Job description

Job Description:

The Manager, Controls Engineering leads the Controls Engineering team responsible for the design, programming, commissioning, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of HVAC control systems and electrical controls architectures. This role provides technical and organizational leadership for controls engineers.

Primary Duties:

The Controls Engineering Manager is responsible for leading the Controls Engineering department, managing engineering resources, establishing technical standards, and ensuring successful execution of controls-related projects.

• Lead, manage, and develop a team of Controls Engineers and Controls Technicians.
• Establish department goals, priorities, staffing plans, and performance expectations.
• Conduct employee coaching, performance evaluations, and career development planning.
• Support recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and training of controls engineering personnel.
• Serve as the technical authority for HVAC controls systems, PLC programming, and DDC controls.
• Review and approve controls architectures, sequences of operation, and electrical designs.
• Collaborate with Product Engineering, Manufacturing, Service, and R&D teams.
• Support manufacturing, commissioning, startup activities, and escalated field issues.
• Drive automation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and maintain engineering standards, documentation, and training materials.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering
• Or related discipline
• Preferred 8-15 years of controls engineering experience and 3-5 years of leadership experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Expert knowledge of HVAC systems and building automation systems.
• Strong PLC and DDC programming experience. Carel platform experience preferred.
• Knowledge of BACnet, Modbus, and related communication protocols.
• Ability to develop and review sequences of operation and electrical schematics.
• Knowledge of NEC, UL, NFPA, and ASHRAE standards.
• Strong troubleshooting, leadership, communication, and project management skills.

Essential Mental and Physical Functions:

This role requires strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. The manager must be able to interpret technical data, lead teams, and communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Physical demands are typical of an office and light industrial environment.

Key Functions:

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and use a computer regularly.
• Occasional lifting of equipment or components (up to 25 lbs).
• Ability to navigate manufacturing and lab environments safely.
• Occasional travel to customer sites, suppliers, or industry events.

Work Environment:

• Office and lab environments with standard lighting and noise levels.
• Frequent visits to production floors and test facilities.
• Exposure to electrical systems, HVAC equipment, and prototype assemblies.
• Use of PPE when required in manufacturing or lab settings.
• Hybrid work flexibility may be available depending on project needs and company policy.

Disclaimer:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at a time with or without notice. This job description is not an exhaustive list of all functions that the employee may be required to perform, and the employee may be required to perform additional functions. The company reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily. If requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, absent undue hardship.

Benefits and Compensation Summary:

We take care of our people. We offer competitive compensation and robust benefits to all full-time team members, including:

• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid time-off
• Paid holidays
• Healthcare insurance & Health Savings Accounts
• Profit sharing or Annual Incentive Plan Bonus
• Premium 401(k) plan

Pay Range:

$111,348.00 - $167,023.00