Senior Controls Engineer – Data Center Thermal System

Johnson Controls; New Freedom (York County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development support

Competitive compensation

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

YDU JC Air Cond & Ref Inc.- Dubai is seeking an experienced Senior Controls Engineer in New Freedom, United States. This role is critical for leading the design and optimization of control systems for data center cooling infrastructure. Ideal candidates will leverage advanced HVAC knowledge and experience with building automation systems.

You will architect control sequences and ensure efficient cooling solutions for high-density computing environments while mentoring junior engineers and contributing to R&D initiatives.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in controls engineering focused on data center facilities.
• Expert-level proficiency in PLC programming.
• Strong understanding of hydronic system design.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of control systems for data centers.
• Integrate controls with Building Management Systems.
• Mentor junior engineers on controls best practices.

Skills

PLC and DDC programming

Chiller plant optimization

Industrial communication protocols

Psychrometrics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

Metasys

Tridium Niagara

Job description

Position Summary: We are seeking an experienced Senior Controls Engineer to lead the design, development, and optimization of control systems for data center cooling infrastructure. This role is critical to delivering intelligent, efficient thermal management solutions that support high‑density computing environments, including advanced GPU clusters and liquid cooling systems. The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in building automation and industrial controls with a strong understanding of HVAC systems, chiller plants, and the unique operational demands of mission‑critical facilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Controls System Design & Development
  • Architect and develop control sequences for chiller plants, cooling distribution units (CDUs), computer room air handlers (CRAHs), and liquid cooling loops.
  • Design control strategies that optimize energy efficiency, maintain precise temperature and humidity setpoints, and ensure redundancy for Tier III/IV data center environments.
  • Develop logic for variable‑speed pump and fan control, valve sequencing, and thermal load balancing across cooling infrastructure.
• System Integration & Commissioning
  • Lead integration of controls with Building Management Systems (BMS), Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) platforms, and facility monitoring systems.
  • Oversee commissioning activities including I/O checkout, loop tuning, functional performance testing, and sequence verification.
  • Develop and execute test protocols for factory acceptance testing (FAT) and site acceptance testing (SAT).
• Technical Leadership
  • Serve as subject matter expert for controls engineering on complex data center projects.
  • Mentor junior engineers and technicians on controls best practices, programming standards, and troubleshooting methodologies.
  • Collaborate with mechanical engineers, project managers, and customers to translate thermal requirements into robust control solutions.
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
  • Evaluate emerging technologies including AI/ML‑based optimization, predictive maintenance algorithms, and advanced sensor integration.
  • Contribute to the development of standardized control sequences and reusable code libraries.
  • Support R&D initiatives for next‑generation cooling solutions including direct liquid cooling and immersion systems.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in controls engineering with at least 4 years focused on data center or mission‑critical facility applications.
• Expert‑level proficiency in PLC and DDC programming (Tridium Niagara, Siemens, Allen‑Bradley, or equivalent platforms).
• Strong understanding of chiller plant optimization, psychrometrics, and hydronic system design.
• Experience with industrial communication protocols: BACnet, Modbus, SNMP, OPC‑UA.
• Familiarity with ASHRAE guidelines for data centers (TC 9.9 Thermal Guidelines, Standard 90.4).
• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret P&IDs, control diagrams, and electrical schematics.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Engineering or related discipline.
• Experience with liquid cooling systems including rear‑door heat exchangers, direct‑to‑chip cold plates, and immersion cooling.
• Knowledge of power monitoring, PUE optimization, and energy management strategies.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Certifications: Niagara4 Technical Certification, Certified Energy Manager (CEM), or equivalent.
• Experience with high‑performance computing (HPC) or AI/ML training cluster thermal requirements.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity best practices for operational technology (OT) networks.

Technical Environment

• Building automation platforms: Metasys, Tridium Niagara, DesigoCC.
• Programming: Structured Text, Function Block Diagram, Ladder Logic, Python for scripting/analytics.
• Visualization: Ignition, Grafana, or similar SCADA/HMI platforms.
• Networking: TCP/IP, VLANs, firewall configuration for controls networks.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work on cutting‑edge thermal solutions for hyperscale and enterprise data centers.
• Collaborative environment with industry‑leading engineers and researchers.
• Professional development support including conference attendance and continuing education.
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.

Equal Employment Opportunity

JohnsonControls International plc. is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a qualified individual with a disability or any other characteristic protected by law.