SCADA Controls Engineer - Data Center

HammerheadAI, Inc.; Redwood City (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus

401(k) plan

Equity in a growing startup

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage

Job summary

An innovative AI technology company in Redwood City, CA is seeking a SCADA Engineer to design and implement industrial monitoring systems for AI-driven data center operations. You will develop SCADA architectures and build high-performance HMIs while ensuring seamless data integration. The ideal candidate has 3+ years of experience in SCADA system design, proficiency in PLC programming, and familiarity with industrial communication protocols. Competitive salary and benefits are offered in a high-growth environment.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience designing and deploying SCADA systems.
• Proficiency in reading and debugging ladder logic and function block diagrams.
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols such as Modbus and BACnet.
• Familiarity with Modbus, BACnet, DNP3, IEC 61850.
• Strong systems thinking and cross-functional collaboration in a DevOps setting.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement scalable SCADA systems for real-time visualization.
• Build high-performance HMIs for operator situational awareness.
• Collaborate with engineers to ensure seamless data flow.
• Data Historian Integration: ensure reliable data capture for audits and model retraining.
• OT/IT Integration: map I/O to software tags and ensure data flow into the Hammerhead platform.

Skills

SCADA system design

HMI development

PLC programming

Python scripting

SQL databases

Industrial communication protocols

Tools

Ignition

Wonderware

FactoryTalk

Job description

About Hammerhead

We're unleashing AI with intelligent orchestration while addressing one of the most pressing bottlenecks for AI access to Power. Our cutting-edge platform optimizes data center power infrastructure to maximize AI token generation within existing electrical limits, without requiring new power plants or grid expansions. Our team has optimized over 8 gigawatts of mission‑critical power globally, and we're addressing a $64 billion‑per‑year market opportunity while dramatically reducing the environmental footprint of AI infrastructure.

At Hammerhead, you will:

• ⚡ Work at the intersection of AI, energy, and compute, creating the next generation AI infrastructure
• 🤝 Collaborate with colleagues that are experts in modern RL and AI, IoT and IIoT software, and infrastructure technologies
• 🌎 Contribute to building a more efficient and sustainable future for AI compute.
• 🚀 Join a company at the cutting edge of modern data center design and operation
• 💰 Receive competitive compensation, equity, and benefits in a high‑growth, mission‑driven environment.
• 🚀 Learn from an experienced team that has built and sold startups before

Learn More About Hammerhead

• These AutoGrid alums want to change how data centers use power
• How Hammerhead Wants to Rewrite the Economics of AI
• News & Blogs

Role Description

As a SCADA Engineer at Hammerhead, you will design and deploy the industrial monitoring and control layer that underpins our AI‑driven data center operations. Reporting to the CTO, you will be responsible for the "eyes and ears" of the data center, ensuring that our operators and RL agents have a real‑time, high‑fidelity view of gigawatts of mission‑critical assets. You will bridge the gap between traditional Operational Technology (OT) and modern software, crafting sophisticated HMIs and validating control logic that allows us to safely orchestrate cooling, power, and compute systems at scale.

Key Responsibilities

• SCADA Architecture & Design: Design and implement scalable SCADA systems (using modern platforms like Ignition or custom solutions) to visualize real‑time telemetry from data center assets including UPS, chillers, and switchgear.
• HMI Development: Build intuitive, high‑performance Human‑Machine Interfaces (HMIs) that provide operators with critical situational awareness and visibility into the actions taken by our RL Control Agents.
• Logic & Control Validation: Review and troubleshoot PLC ladder logic and function block diagrams to ensure local control loops (PID, interlocks) interact safely with high‑level AI orchestration commands.
• Data Historian Integration: Integrate with high‑throughput time‑series data storage solutions to ensure reliable data capture for compliance, auditing, and AI model retraining.
• OT/IT Integration: Collaborate with Connector & Integration Engineers to map physical I/O points to software tags, ensuring seamless data flow from PLCs and RTUs into the Hammerhead platform.

Qualifications

• SCADA & HMI Mastery: 3+ years of experience designing and deploying SCADA systems and building complex HMIs for critical infrastructure (Data Centers, Power Utilities, or Manufacturing). Experience with Ignition (Inductive Automation), Wonderware, or FactoryTalk is essential.
• PLC Programming: Proficiency in reading, writing, and debugging ladder logic, structured text, and function block diagrams on major hardware platforms (Siemens, Allen Bradley, Schneider Electric).
• Protocol Knowledge: Deep familiarity with industrial communication protocols such as Modbus (TCP/RTU), BACnet, DNP3, and IEC 61850.
• Systems Thinking: Understanding of electrical power distribution systems or HVAC mechanical systems; you know what a "chiller plant optimization" actually physically entails.
• Modern Skills: Unlike traditional SCADA roles, you are comfortable with Python scripting, SQL databases, and working alongside software engineers in a modern DevOps environment.

What we offer

• Competitive salary, bonus, 401(k) plan and equity in a rapidly growing startup
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
• Opportunity to apply the latest AI technologies working with an experienced team

Join our team to shape the foundation of tomorrow’s AI infrastructure

Visit our Careers page at hammerheadco dot ai / careers to apply