Solution Architect Lead

Acuity Inc.; Georgia; On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Acuity Inc. seeks a Lead Solutions Architect, Data Center Controls, to lead advanced PLC-based automation for mission-critical data center environments.

You will collaborate with customers, sales, product management, and engineering to design scalable, secure control architectures leveraging modern industrial IT/OT stacks. The role requires deep Data Center infrastructure knowledge, experience with IEC 61131-3 languages, and strong leadership in cross-functional teams across on-site and

Qualifications

• Deep expertise in Data Center infrastructure and control systems.
• Strong experience with PLC-based architectures and IEC 61131-3 languages.
• Proficient in industrial networking protocols (Modbus, EtherCAT, OPC UA, MQTT).

Responsibilities

• Architect and design PLC-based automation solutions for Data Centers.
• Develop scalable architectures integrating cooling, electrical, and energy monitoring systems.
• Lead and review PLC control strategies and field deployments.

Skills

PLC programming

CODESYS

IEC 61131-3

Industrial networking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Ignition

Ignition Edge

Job description

Acuity Inc. (NYSE: AYI) is a market-leading industrial technology company. We use technology to solve problems in spaces, light and more things to come. Through our two business segments, Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) and Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS), we design, manufacture, and bring to market products and services that make a valuable difference in people's lives.

We achieve growth through the development of innovative new products and services, including lighting, lighting controls, building management solutions, and an audio, video and control platform. We focus on customer outcomes and drive growth and productivity to increase market share and deliver superior returns. We look to aggressively deploy capital to grow the business and to enter attractive new verticals.

Acuity Inc. is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with operations across North America, Europe and Asia. The Company is powered by approximately 13,000 dedicated and talented associates. Visit us at www.acuityinc.com .

Job Summary

Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS) is an innovation leader in building, refrigeration, industrial automation, and energy management solutions, delivering technologies and services that optimize performance, reliability, resiliency, and operational efficiency. We connect people with intelligent solutions through our passion for innovation, quality, customer satisfaction, and sustainability.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Solutions Architecture, the Lead Solutions Architect, Data Center Controls, serves as a high-impact technical leader responsible for packaging, and enabling advanced control system architectures for mission-critical environments.

This role requires deep expertise Data Center infrastructure, industrial networking, edge-to-cloud integration technologies, and control solutions such as, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs). The successful candidate will work closely with customers, sales, product management, engineering, and strategic partners to define and deliver scalable automation solutions that leverage PLC, SCADA, DDC, BMS, DCIM, and Industrial IoT technologies.

The ideal candidate possesses extensive experience with CODESYS-based control platforms, Data Center cooling and power infrastructure, and modern industrial communication technologies including Modbus, EtherCAT, MQTT, Sparkplug B, OPC UA, Redfish and Ignition.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

Solution Architecture & Application Support

• Architect and design support for advanced PLC-based automation and control solutions for Data Centers cooling systems and related mission-critical applications.
• Develop scalable control architectures that integrate cooling systems, electrical infrastructure, energy monitoring, building management systems, and Industrial IoT platforms.
• Create reference architectures, solution blueprints, and deployment standards that support enterprise-scale implementations.

Data Center Automation Expertise

• Serve as a subject matter expert for Data Center control applications, including:
  • Cooling Towers
  • Chillers and cooling plants
  • CRAH/CRAC equipment
  • FDU/CDU equipment
  • Pumping and water-side economization
  • Modern liquid cooling systems
  • Electrical distribution monitoring
  • Energy optimization strategies
  • Critical facility monitoring and alarming
• Support customers in improving resiliency, uptime, operational efficiency, and sustainability initiatives.

PLC & Controls Leadership

• Lead the development and review of PLC control strategies using CODESYS and IEC 61131-3 programming languages.
• Provide expertise in Structured Text (ST), Function Block Diagram (FBD), Sequential Function Chart (SFC), and Ladder Logic programming methodologies.
• Support proof-of-concept mock-ups, solution validation, and field pilot deployment activities.

Industrial Networking & Integration

• Design and validate secure industrial communication architectures utilizing:
  • Modbus TCP/IP and RTU
  • EtherCAT
  • OPC UA
  • MQTT
  • Sparkplug B
  • Redfish
  • BACnet/IP
  • REST APIs
• Ensure interoperability between PLC, SCADA, BMS, Data Center infrastructure management, cloud, and enterprise systems.

Ignition & IIoT Platforms

• Design and support supervisory control and monitoring solutions utilizing Ignition and Ignition Edge.
• Develop architectures leveraging MQTT and Sparkplug B to enable enterprise-wide data collection and operational visibility.
• Collaborate with software and product teams to advance edge-to-cloud data strategies.

Customer & Partner Engagement

• Act as a trusted advisor to customers, consultants, system integrators, and OEM partners.
• Conduct technical discovery workshops, site assessments, architecture reviews, and solution envisioning sessions.
• Support strategic opportunities and complex pursuits requiring senior technical leadership.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Product Management, R&D, Sales Enginee