Service Controls Engineer

Nortek Data Center Cooling; Shakopee (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

STD

LTD

FSA

HAS

401(k) Plan

Job summary

Nortek Data Center Cooling is seeking a Service Controls Engineer for our Data Center Cooling service team. You will diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve complex controls and software issues in mission-critical cooling environments.

You’ll work with DDC PLCs, VFDs, sensors, and building automation systems, providing technical guidance to customers and teams. The role demands strong hands-on capabilities, travel up to 50%, and a focus on practical solutions that enhance system performance and

Qualifications

• Engineering degree with two years of direct field experience or four years of equivalent related field experience in HVAC, controls, building automation, or mission critical cooling systems.
• Knowledge of control theory, automatic temperature controls, building automation systems, DDC controllers, PLCs, VFDs, and related subsystems.
• Strong working knowledge of BAS/automation protocols (BACnet, Modbus, etc.).
• Experience troubleshooting controls hardware, software, communications, and system-level architectures.
• Ability to travel up to 50% to job sites or factories for equipment-related work.

Responsibilities

• Perform field troubleshooting and root cause analysis for controls, automation, and software-related issues in data center cooling equipment.
• Review client sequences of operation and validate corrective logic changes to ensure system performance.
• Troubleshoot BAS/DDC architectures including controllers, relays, actuators, sensors, and field devices.
• Support controls network troubleshooting (BACnet, Modbus, communications, integration points).
• Troubleshoot PLC programs and control logic with engineering and commissioning teams.
• Assist with VFD startup, commissioning, diagnostics, and corrective action planning in the field.
• Tune control loops and verify sensor accuracy; document corrective actions clearly.
• Review drawings to determine commissioning or corrective action tasks.
• Manage challenging field issues balancing cost, schedule, and resources.

Skills

HVAC systems

Building automation

DDC controllers

PLC programming

VFDs

Control theory

BACnet/Modbus

Root cause analysis

Field troubleshooting

Customer service

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Cooling the Cloud. Protecting the Planet

Nortek Data Center Cooling builds the systems that keep modern data centers running — from liquid cooling to large‑scale air solutions. Our work supports some of the world’s most demanding AI and hyperscale environments, and we solve those challenges with engineering depth and practical execution.

We keep things simple here. We communicate early, stay close to the details, and follow through. When issues come up, we address them directly, not with layers of process. Customers count on us because we do what we say and we keep projects moving.

Our culture is hands‑on and collaborative. People take ownership, move quickly, and help each other. If you like working with teammates who are straightforward and accountable, you’ll feel at home.

With the backing of Madison Air, we have the scale, stability, and manufacturing footprint to support complex, high‑growth programs.

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Our benefits package includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life, STD, LTD, FSA, HAS and 401(k) Plan with company contributions.

Nortek Data Center Cooling. 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, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a qualified individual with a disability or any other characteristic protected by law.

Position Summary

As our Service Controls Engineer for the Data Center Cooling service team, you will diagnose, troubleshoot, and help resolve complex controls, automation, and software-related issues in mission critical HVAC and data center cooling environments. This role requires strong practical knowledge of electronic and digital control systems, building automation systems, communication protocols, controls networks, DDC controllers, PLCs, VFDs, sensors, instrumentation, and sequence of operation logic. You will perform field troubleshooting and root cause analysis, test and validate software or logic changes, and provide clear technical guidance to customers, commissioning teams, engineering, manufacturing, sales representatives, and service leadership. The ideal candidate is customer-facing, hands-on, and comfortable working through ambiguous field issues while adding deeper controls and automation capability to complement the existing service team.

Position Key Attributes

• Ability to personally live safely and hold themselves and other team members accountable by having their back in support of our Safety core value.
• Has integrity, works transparently, and is recognized for treating others with respect.
• Takes accountability to create and execute solutions that deliver desired results and can “own it” in a Performance Driven Culture.
• Works collaboratively as one team in a Teamwork culture.
• Enjoys embracing and igniting change as a catalyst for improvement.

Position Responsibilities

• Perform field troubleshooting and root cause analysis for controls, automation, and software-related issues on data center cooling equipment.
• Review client sequences of operation, identify logic discrepancies, and recommend or validate corrective logic changes to ensure system performance meets customer expectations.
• Troubleshoot BAS/DDC control architectures, including controllers, relays, actuators, measurement devices, sensors, instrumentation, and associated field devices.
• Support controls network troubleshooting, including BACnet, Modbus, device communications, integration points, addressing, and system-level connectivity issues.
• Troubleshoot PLC programs and control logic in coordination with engineering, manufacturing, and commissioning teams.
• Support VFD startup, commissioning, diagnostics, and corrective action planning for fielded systems.
• Tune and troubleshoot control loops, validate sensor and instrumentation accuracy, and document corrective actions clearly.
• Review work orders, blueprints, schematic diagrams, control drawings, and related materials to determine tasks required for commissioning, rework, or corrective action.
• Manage challenging field issues with the objective of minimizing customer impact while balancing practical cost, schedule, and resource realities for the company.
• Provide superior customer service to internal and external customers, advise leadership on customer satisfaction and field performance, and recommend product or process improvements.

Requirements

Position Qualifications

• Minimum of an engineering degree with two years of direct field experience or four years of equivalent related field experience in HVAC, controls, building automation, or mission critical cooling systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of control theory, automatic temperature controls, building automation systems, DDC controllers, PLCs, VFDs, and related building subsystems.
• Strong working knowledge of building automation communication protocols, including BACnet, Modbus, and other common BAS or equipment-level protocols.
• Experience troubleshooting controls hardware, software, device communications, network integration issues, sensors, instrumentation, and system-level control architectures.
• Ability to review and interpret sequences of operation and identify logic issues, control gaps, or corrective actions needed to meet the intent of the design.
• Demonstrated ability to perform root cause analysis, document findings, and communicate technical recommendations clearly to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time to various job sites or factories for equipment-related work.
• Superior analytical skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to read and interpret blueprints, plans, schematics, controls drawings, and manuals.
• Excellent customer service skills, professional communication, and the ability to work independently or drive results across cross-functional teams in a timely manner.

Preferred

• Four or more years of experience installing, commissioning, troubleshooting, or supporting controls systems for mission critical HVAC or data center cooling environments.
• Building Automation Systems experience with companies such as Johnson Controls, Siemens, Honeywell, Schneider Electric, Trane Controls, Distech, Automated Logic, or similar platforms.
• Hands-on experience with PLC programming, PLC troubleshooting, and software or logic validation in fielded equipment.
• Experience with VFD startup, commissioning, diagnostics, and system-level corrective action planning.
• Experience tuning and troubleshooting control loops and validating sensor or instrumentation performance.
• Demonstrated experience developing, reviewing, or testing software programs necessary to operate equipment per project requirements and sequences of operation.
• Strong administrative experience in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint with the ability to present clearly and professionally to data center clients.