Principal Controls Engineer- Data Center

BW Design Group; Oak Park (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Design Group is seeking a highly experienced Principal Data Center Automation Engineer to lead BAS/EPMS projects for mission-critical facilities in the United States. You will guide cross-functional teams, shape standards, and collaborate with clients to deliver scalable, secure automation solutions.

The role emphasizes strategic leadership, proposal input, and mentoring engineers, with a focus on energy efficiency and reliability across client portfolios.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive engineering experience in BAS/EPMS and data centers.
• Deep expertise in BAS/EPMS platforms and industry standards (BACnet, Modbus).
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and interfacing with executives.

Responsibilities

• Act as SME in BAS/BMS and EPMS for data center environments and standards.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams through full project lifecycle—requirements to turnover.
• Develop and mentor engineering talent and drive technical excellence.
• Develop enterprise-wide standards for building automation and power monitoring.
• Interface with clients and stakeholders to translate needs into solutions.
• Evaluate new BAS/EPMS tools and approaches for reliability and efficiency.
• Support business development with technical input for proposals.

Skills

Data Center Automation

Leadership

Client-facing

Project management

Cybersecurity

Troubleshooting

Systems Engineering

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Systems Engineering

Master’s degree or PE license

Tools

Rockwell Studio 5000

Inductive Automation Ignition

Tridium Niagara

Schneider EcoStruxure

Job description

Principal Data Center Automation Engineer

When you join Design Group as a Principal Data Center Automation Engineer, you are joining a team that will challenge you and position you for growth. Design Group is widely known as an industry leader, recognized as a top system integrator, ranking #9 in the 2025 System Integrator Giants; as a Rockwell Platinum Integrator, the highest designation given to Rockwell partners; and as an Ignition Enterprise Premier Integrator. As a part of this team, you will learn from industry leading experts and may even have the chance to be an active participant in industry events like the Ignition Build‑A‑Thon which Design Group won in 2023!

As a Principal Data Center Automation Engineer, you will play a pivotal leadership role within Design Group’s Control System Integration Practice. You’ll collaborate with experienced engineers, power systems specialists, and subject matter experts to deliver innovative, high-reliability automation and monitoring solutions tailored for mission‑critical data center environments. In this role, you’ll help shape the technical direction and set standards for Building Automation Systems (BAS), Electrical Power Monitoring Systems (EPMS), and integrated control architectures—driving operational excellence, scalability, and energy efficiency across client portfolios.

What You’ll Do

• Act as the firm’s subject matter expert in Data Center Building Automation Systems (BAS/BMS) and Electrical Power Monitoring Systems (EPMS), with deep expertise in platforms such as Rockwell Studio 5000, Inductive Automation Ignition, Tridium Niagara, Schneider EcoStruxure, and industry standards like BACnet and Modbus.
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams through the full lifecycle of complex BAS and EPMS projects—from requirements gathering and system architecture through implementation, commissioning, and client turnover—ensuring compliance with quality, schedule, and budget targets.
• Develop and mentor engineering talent, providing technical leadership, peer reviews, and growth opportunities to elevate the team’s capabilities in automation, power systems integration, and data center infrastructure.
• Drive the development of enterprise-wide standards and best practices for building automation and power monitoring, focusing on scalability, cybersecurity, redundancy, and operational efficiency in data center applications.
• Serve as a strategic partner to clients, translating technical needs into engineered solutions, communicating effectively with stakeholders, and building long‑term relationships through the consistent delivery of high‑value results.
• Champion innovation in BAS/EPMS technologies, continuously evaluating emerging tools, protocols, and strategies to improve system resilience, energy efficiency, and fault diagnostics.
• Support business development efforts, including technical input for proposal development, and contributing to long‑term growth strategies focused on mission‑critical facilities.

What You’ll Bring

• Minimum of 15 years of progressive engineering experience in building automation, electrical power monitoring systems (EPMS), and integrated controls within mission‑critical environments—especially data centers—including significant leadership and client‑facing responsibilities.
• Deep expertise in BAS and EPMS platforms, such as Rockwell Studio 5000, Inductive Automation Ignition, Tridium Niagara, Schneider EcoStruxure, and industry standards like BACnet and Modbus.
• Extensive experience with field instrumentation, industrial networking, PLC/DDC system integration, Panel Design and SCADA architectures used for environmental and electrical system monitoring.
• Proven track record of leading cross‑functional teams in the successful design, implementation, and commissioning of complex BAS and EPMS solutions across multiple projects.
• Exceptional communication and leadership skills, with the ability to interface effectively with both technical teams and executive‑level clients, translating technical requirements into strategic solutions.
• Strong background in proposal development, cost estimation, and scope definition for automation and monitoring system projects, with an emphasis on scalability, resilience, and lifecycle performance.
• Analytical mindset with advanced troubleshooting abilities, capable of resolving complex operational challenges and delivering innovative, reliable, and secure solutions.
• Recognized thought leader or subject matter expert in the BAS/EPMS space, with contributions to industry groups, standards bodies, or technical conferences considered a plus.
• Flexibility and willingness to travel for project execution, client engagements, commissioning activities, and industry events.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering (Master’s degree and/or Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred).
• Knowledge of datacenter/mission critical commissioning requirements L1‑L5.
• Experience with datacenter and mission critical greenfield construction.

What Sets Us Apart

At Design Group, our people‑first culture is what makes us different. We foster a work environment rooted in respect, accountability, and a deep investment in the growth of our team members. Our entrepreneurial model and flexible career paths provide rewarding challenges and the autonomy to build a career aligned with your goals.

As a Principal Automation Engineer—Data Centers, you’ll integrate with an established and growing team delivering a high volume of work for leading hyperscale clients. The goal of this role is to support that momentum—driving consistent delivery, deepening client relationships, and helping scale our involvement across the firm. You’ll have access to development resources, mentorship, and peer support as part of a team that’s shaping the future of digital infrastructure.

Not quite a Principal Engineer yet but heading in that direction? Let’s connect. We’re passionate about helping professionals grow into leaders—and we’d love to explore how we can support your journey.

Compensation

The approximate pay range for this position is $150k‑$220k. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to background, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as geographic location of the position.