Principal Electrical Controls Engineer

Kelly Services; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Kelly Services is seeking a highly experienced Principal Electrical Controls Engineer to lead development and optimization of advanced control systems for data center infrastructure. You will design and deploy wiring harnesses, define control logic, and ensure integration with IT networks and facility equipment.

The role emphasizes experience with UPS, generators, switchgear, chillers, and fire suppression, plus leading FAT and SAT to ensure reliability and safety across critical environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering is required.
• 8+ years of experience in control system design and implementation.
• Proficiency with PLC/SCADA programming, BMS integration, and EPMS/energy analytics.
• Familiarity with NFPA, IEC, ISO standards related to control systems and safety.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the control system architecture across multiple platforms (PLCs, BMS, EPMS, ATS).
• Develop detailed control specifications, DIDs, and interface definitions for subsystems.
• Lead FAT/SAT testing and commissioning for new projects.
• Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, software, and facilities teams to ensure system integration and reliability.
• Develop reusable control logic patterns and document system architecture.

Skills

PLC programming

BMS integration

SCADA

HMI development

Energy management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

EPlan

WindChill

SolidWorks

DevOps

Job description

Principal Electrical Controls Engineer – Data Center Infrastructure

Duration: Open based on Projects-Potential to go Permanent

Location: REMOTE (Onsite on & off 20-25 % travel to MEXICO; otherwise flexible)

No C2C/Sponsorship

We are seeking a highly experienced and innovative Principal Controls Engineer to lead the development, optimization and implementation of advanced control systems across critical infrastructure products and automation platforms on the Data Center Infrastructure team. This role is critical to ensure the performance, reliability, and scalability of critical systems, with a strong emphasis on data center infrastructure, power/energy management, and industrial automation.

This role will involve designing and developing wiring harness systems, including schematic creation, harness architecture, panel layout, developing specifications, selecting key components, and transitioning design to manufacturing. Furthermore, the position includes leading test process implementation and ensuring equipment alignment to maintain the highest standards of operational excellence and reliability.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the control system architecture across multiple platforms, including PLCs, BMS, EPMS, and ATS systems, ensuring scalability, reliability, and maintainability.
• Develop detailed control system specifications, functional design documents, and interface definitions for all subsystems.
• Proficiency in PLC/SCADA programming, HMI development, and system integration with IT networks and facility equipment.
• Ability to read and create BOMs. visual aids, electrical schematics, control diagrams, and sequence of operations.
• Define control logic, sensor integration, and communication protocols (e.g., Modbus, BACnet, SNMP) for intelligent power and cooling management.
• Validate control systems through simulation, testing, and commissioning to ensure reliability, safety, and responsiveness.
• Experience with critical infrastructure systems: UPS, generators, switchgear, chillers, CRAC/CRAH units, fire suppression systems.
• Lead Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) for new projects and revisions.
• Drive the development of system-level simulations and digital twins to validate control strategies before deployment
• Architect integration strategies for control systems with enterprise platforms such as SCADA, CMMS, and cloud-based monitoring tools
• Establish design patterns and best practices for modular and reusable control logic across projects
• Lead root cause analysis and resolution of complex control system issues during commissioning and operations
• Evaluate emerging technologies and automation trends to continuously improve system performance and efficiency
• Develop and maintain documentation for system architecture, control logic, and operational procedures
• Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, software, and facilities engineering teams to ensure seamless integration of control systems with physical infrastructure
• Work closely with cross functional teams to align control system designs with business requirements, timelines, and operational constraints
• Facilitate design reviews, technical workshops, and cross-functional planning sessions to ensure alignment and transparency across engineering disciplines
• Support commissioning and field teams during deployment, troubleshooting, and optimization of control systems

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering or a relevant engineering discipline.

Experience

• 8+ years pf experience in control system design and implementation
• Deep expertise in the following:
• PLC programming (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider Electric)
• Building Management Systems (BMS) integration and optimization
• Electrical Power Monitoring Systems (EPMS/EDPM) for real-time energy analytics
• Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS) control and failover logic
• Strong proficiency in control theory, system modeling, and simulation tools (MATLAB/Simulink)
• Experience with industrial protocols (Modbus, BACnet, OPC UA, Ethernet/IP)
• Familiarity with NFPA, IEC, and ISO standards related to control systems and safety.
• Experience in EPlan, WindChill, SolidWorks, and DevOps are a plus
• Experience with hyperscale or colocation data center environments
• Familiarity with low and medium-voltage systems

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment.

Kelly may use AI-powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice (https://www.kellyservices.com/hubfs/myKelly/Resources/Employment_Policies/Recruitment-Artificial-Intelligence-Notice.pdf?hsLang=en) .

Kelly Services is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer. We welcome, value, and embrace diversity at all levels and are committed to building a team that is inclusive of a variety of backgrounds, communities, perspectives, and abilities. At Kelly, we believe that the more inclusive we are, the better services we can provide. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to Kelly’s Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment.

Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment.