Senior Controls Engineer

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 114,000 - 162,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Minnesota is seeking a Building Automation Engineer to provide technical consulting, DDC programming, and project leadership for HVAC&R systems across the Twin Cities campus. The role supports energy efficiency initiatives and building performance optimization through multi-platform automation and commissioning leadership.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's in Engineering and 6+ years of experience with direct digital controls, networking, and building analytics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or closely related field required.
• Six+ years of experience in automated control systems design, development, and validation of HVAC&R systems.
• Experience with DDC programming, networking and cost control optimization in building engineering.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical consulting and project leadership for multi-platform automation systems and building automation networks.
• Implement energy-saving programming strategies in DDC controllers (Johnson, Siemens, Tridium, Trane, XL5000).
• Develop procedures and policy guidelines for operational use and assist with commissioning.

Skills

DDC programming

Building automation

HVAC&R systems

Project leadership

Networking

Technical consulting

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Visio

AutoCAD

PPCL/LCT

Job description

Job ID: 376464

Location: Twin Cities

Job Family: Supplemental Employee

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Temporary

Job Code: 0006

Employee Class: Civil Service

Energy Management oversees the reliable, safe and efficient operation of mechanical, electrical, and civil utilities systems in over 200 complex buildings on the Twin Cities campus. Home to the University's technical and professional engineering staff, as well as a select group of skilled tradespeople, the group maintains the campus utility infrastructure and provides technical and engineering expertise to the U's Capital Planning, Facilities Management building operations, and other facilities-related units across the U of M system. The Twin Cities campus consumes more than $50 million per year in purchased utilities, with electricity and steam making up most of these costs. The infrastructure required to reliably and safely distribute this energy includes more than twelve miles of underground steam tunnels and four high voltage (13,800 Volt) switch stations. The Utility Operations group manages and maintains this complex infrastructure, as well as overseeing storm water management, sanitary sewer systems, municipal water distribution, chilled water distribution and compressed air systems.

This position provides technical consulting, DDC programming installation, and project leadership services for Direct Digital Control (DDC) systems, networking and Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration systems (HVAC&R). The position will develop, document and program control strategies for optimizing mechanical systems performance, prepare specifications, manage projects and serve as a technical support resource for the Facilities Management Team. The position will also be responsible for coordination of equipment startup/commissioning to validate and document/report that building system performance meets the design intent.

Position Responsibilities

Building Automation & Controls Engineering (25%)

• Provide technical consulting and project leadership for multi-platform automation systems, and building automation systems networks
• Implement energy savings programming strategies in DDC Johnson, Siemens, Tridium, Trane and XL5000 controllers at the direction of district engineering staff.
• Develop procedures and policy guidelines for operational use. Assist with commissioning process.

Project Management & Vendor Coordination (20%)

• Manage projects and coordinate personnel by preparing labor and material estimates, providing guidance, scheduling work, ordering equipment, and providing advice and instruction to technicians, trades and mechanics from the University, as well as outside vendors.
• Evaluate and negotiate proposals from outside vendors. Work with vendors to keep estimated project costs within budget.

Building Automation Programming & Systems Integration (15%)

• Design and implement DDC application programs for mechanical, electrical, and fire/life safety systems to optimize system performance, maintain building comfort levels, and monitor critical alarms such as fire, mechanical/electrical equipment failure, clean rooms, and hazardous materials.
• Design dynamic graphics per technical specifications and support the feature set of the DDC application to improve reporting and monitoring for various groups of personnel.

Construction Oversight & Facilities Performance Support (15%)

• Inspect construction in progress for compliance with University construction standards and specifications.
• Implement changes and make recommendations when necessary in these systems for efficient operation of facilities.
• Work district engineering staff to assist them in the development of technical solutions for their business needs.

Commissioning & System Performance Verification (10%)

• Assure all equipment is performance tested; verifying that performance of the systems meets the requirements of the building.
• Design and implement various on-going commissioning strategies for multiple main stream DDC systems for use in all campus buildings.

Controls Systems Training & Technical Expertise (10%)

• Serve as a systems expert and a training resource for DDC systems.
• Work with building operations personnel to ensure that all required building systems and equipment training is delivered and completed.

Design Requirements & Operational Planning (5%)

• Work with the Design Team and project manager to define and document the operational and occupant requirements of the facility. Interpret plans and work specifications and advise project managers, building commissioning and district engineering personnel.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or closely related field.
• Six or more years applicable experience in automated control systems design, development, maintenance and validation of HVAC&R systems. Experience in DDC programming, networking and cost control optimization strategies in a building engineering environment is required.
  • Equivalent combination of academic or work experience may be substituted.

Preferred

• Thorough understanding of and ability to troubleshoot DDC hardware and software problems and network and communication concerns for Siemens, Honeywell, Johnson, Trane and similar systems.
• Ability to develop logic and construction drawings using Visio and AutoCad. Identifies and analyzes critical issues and develops/proposes operational plans and procedures.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite software, including Visio and Access.
• Knowledge of programming languages used in Direct Digital Controls systems such as PPCL, LCT and Supervisory Controller Programming. Ability to apply newly developed technologies in HVAC&R and DDC.
• Ability to think independently, be self-motivated, and perform under minimal supervision.
• Strong organization, analytical, problem solving, and technical skills.
• Excellent leadership, team, communication, training, and human relations skills.
• Ability to supervise others.
• Working knowledge of computer networks and building automation networks.

Physical and Environment Requirements

• Work is performed in an office setting.
• Occasionally work is in high temperature or noisy mechanical/electrical equipment rooms and rooftops.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $100.00 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.