Senior Automation Systems Engineer, NA

Vantage Data Centers; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

Vantage Data Centers seeks a Senior Automation Systems Engineer to lead SCADA (Ignition) and Rockwell PLC development for data-center automation. You will review drawings and sequences, develop scalable automation logic, and support both new builds and live production systems.

This role requires 5+ years in industrial automation, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to work across teams. Travel up to 25% and a hybrid on-site/remote schedule are offered.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of Ignition SCADA or Rockwell PLCs is required.
• Five years of industrial SCADA/PLC development experience; seven to nine years preferred.
• Data center automation experience is strongly preferred.
• Understanding of control loops, I/O, and mission-critical systems.
• Familiarity with version control and code reviews.

Responsibilities

• Support and maintain graphics, UDT, and PLC code repositories with change management.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to align goals, standards, and improvement initiatives.
• Design and evolve automation architectures and data models for new and sustaining operations.
• Develop automation applications and coordinate testing, deployment, and validation.
• Provide remote and limited on-site support during commissioning and troubleshooting.

Skills

Ignition SCADA

Rockwell PLCs

Automation systems

P&IDs, control narratives

Version control

Startup & commissioning

Analytical problem-solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Pressure-tolerant

Tools

Ignition (Inductive Automation)

Rockwell Automation PLCs

Job description

About Vantage Data Centers

Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects, and connects the technology of the world's well‑known hyperscalers, cloud providers, and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA, and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency, and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as market demands.

Automation Systems Group

The Automation Systems Group is responsible for the design, construction and support of cutting‑edge data center automation and control infrastructure. The department collaborates with Operations, Sales, Engineering, Information Technology and Management to ensure the system continues to fulfill Vantage customer requirements. Automation Systems works closely with partner contractors to develop the best design and helps manage these partners to success by providing accurate requirements, goals, and timelines. In addition to design and construction, we are also responsible for the technical requirements of the Operations department involving troubleshooting, calibrating, and repairing mission‑critical control systems throughout all Vantage locations.

Position Overview

This role can be based at any of our US Locations with a flexible work arrangement: 3 days on‑site and 2 days remote. Vantage is looking for an ambitious, detail‑oriented, hands‑on Senior Automation Systems Engineer to lead SCADA (Ignition) and PLC (Rockwell) software development supporting both new construction and sustaining mission‑critical data center infrastructure. This role functions as a senior individual contributor within the Automation Development team with expectations for technical ownership, architectural decision‑making, and cross‑team influence.

You will review mechanical and electrical drawings, sequences of operation, and instrumentation diagrams to develop and maintain scalable, reusable automation logic and visualization applications. This role contributes to standardization and continuous improvement efforts across the Vantage North America portfolio while maintaining equal responsibility for both new builds and live production systems. You may also be called on to provide escalation support and technical expertise for troubleshooting, commissioning, and validation activities in live, mission‑critical environments.

Essential Job Functions

• Support and maintain graphics, UDT, and PLC code repositories, including change management, version control practices, and controlled release into production environments
• Coordinate with internal Automation Engineering stakeholders, project teams, and contractors to ensure alignment with company goals, standards, and critical continuous improvement initiatives
• Drive, develop, and manage automation standards, architecture guidelines, SOPs, and user documentation supporting both regional and portfolio‑wide needs
• Design and evolve automation architectures, data models, UDT frameworks, and reusable logic to support new construction and sustaining operations
• Support development, testing, and controlled deployment of new automation applications and updates
• Provide remote and limited on‑site development‑focused support during commissioning activities, including validation of software functionality, alarming behavior, and data integrity
• Participate in design reviews of drawings & models, attend project coordination meetings, review submittals, and participate in factory acceptance testing
• Collaborate with Design, Engineering, Construction, Reliability Engineering, Site Operations, and Automation Engineering peers to deliver and sustain reliable automation solutions
• Act as an escalation and advisory resource for complex automation issues impacting live, mission‑critical systems
• Develop automation logic and visualization applications based on project documentation including drawings, sequences of operation, bills of material, and instrumentation diagrams
• Design and maintain Ignition gateway architectures, including redundancy, performance, and long‑term maintainability considerations
• Promote abstraction, reuse, and standardization of automation logic across the portfolio
• Provide technical leadership to integration team members and staff augmentation resources without direct people management responsibility
• Provide technical support, guidance, and training to team members on control systems, instrumentation, and related technologies

Job Requirements

• Advanced knowledge of the Ignition (Inductive Automation) SCADA platform or Rockwell Automation PLCs is required
• Five years of experience in industrial SCADA or PLC based controls system development required, with seven to nine years preferred
• Data center experience strongly preferred but not required
• Strong understanding of automation systems including control loops, field I/O, and mission‑critical control system behavior
• Experience with industrial PLC platforms, including but not limited to Rockwell Automation and Carel systems
• Demonstrated familiarity with the development and interpretation of Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), control narratives, and control panel drawings
• Ability to analyze and incorporate network architecture diagrams, equipment specifications, installation requirements, instrumentation lists, and sequence of operations into project designs and deliverables
• Familiarity with software development tools and practices such as version control systems and structured code reviews preferred
• Working knowledge of startup and commissioning procedures for industrial automation and control systems, including system verification, functional testing, and issue resolution
• Experience in calibration, startup and commissioning of industrial controls systems is preferred
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and troubleshooting skills with the ability to identify, diagnose, and resolve technical issues effectively
• Proven track record of delivering control system projects from concept to completion while coordinating cross‑functional teams, stakeholders, and project deliverables
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with team members, clients, and stakeholders
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to take technical ownership, influence across teams, and make sound engineering decisions
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and SharePoint
• Travel required up to approximately 25 percent, with potential variation based on business needs

Physical Demands and Special Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop or kneel; talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Additional Details

• Salary Range: $145,000‑$155,000 + Bonus (this range is based on Colorado market data and may vary in other locations)
• This position is eligible for company benefits including but not limited to medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and AD&D, short and long‑term disability coverage, paid time off, employee assistance, participation in a 401(k) program that includes company match, and many other additional voluntary benefits.
• Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including your qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience and may fall outside of the range shown.

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Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Vantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers.

We’ll be accepting applications for at least one week from the date this role is posted. If you’re interested, we encourage you to apply soon—we’re excited to find the right person and will keep the role open until we do!