Facilities Control Engineer Lead

Facilities Control Engineer Lead

The Facilities Control Engineer Lead is the enterprise technical authority for the design, governance, reliability, and lifecycle management of Building Management Systems and facility automation platforms supporting regulated laboratory, manufacturing, and office environments.

This role requires strong hands-on troubleshooting and Building Automation System programming experience, combined with the ability to provide strategic direction for facility controls and HVAC systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of life sciences environments and experience supporting complex facility controls within regulated laboratory, pharmaceutical, biotech, or similar settings.

The Facilities Control Engineer Lead defines automation standards, architects validated and non-validated control system strategies, and serves as the primary technical owner accountable for system performance, audit readiness, and long-term scalability. This individual will be expected to work directly within Client platforms, including writing and modifying control code/programming, while also providing enterprise-level technical leadership.

Job Responsibilities

Enterprise Controls Strategy & Ownership

• Serve as the enterprise technical authority for Building Management Systems, Building Automation Systems, and facility automation supporting regulated and non-regulated environments.
• Provide strategic direction for facility controls, including system architecture, HVAC controls, automation strategy, system optimization, and long-term lifecycle planning.
• Define, implement, and maintain standards for architecture, alarm management, data integrity, validation, programming, and lifecycle management.
• Lead the design, commissioning, qualification, and validation strategy for facility control systems.
• Evaluate existing controls infrastructure and recommend improvements to support reliability, scalability, compliance, and operational efficiency.

Client Programming, HVAC & Troubleshooting

• Perform advanced troubleshooting of facility controls, Client/Client platforms, HVAC control systems, sensors, controllers, networks, and associated automation equipment.
• Write, modify, test, and troubleshoot Client control code and programming as part of day-to-day system operation and optimization.
• Work directly with Client platforms such as Alerton, Trane Tracer, Client, or comparable building automation systems.
• Troubleshoot control sequences, alarms, communication issues, environmental excursions, and system performance problems.
• Support and optimize HVAC control strategies for regulated laboratory, manufacturing, controlled-space, and office environments.
• Analyze system trends and control logic to identify root causes and implement sustainable corrective actions rather than temporary fixes.

System Performance, Risk & Compliance

• Own the performance, reliability, and lifecycle sustainability of facility control systems across sites.
• Partner with Quality to ensure control systems meet GxP, data integrity, and audit expectations.
• Act as the controls engineering subject matter expert during audits, inspections, investigations, and remediation activities.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks related to environmental control failures, system obsolescence, cybersecurity, and business continuity.
• Ensure facility controls appropriately support regulated life sciences environments, including laboratories and other controlled spaces.

Cross-Functional & Vendor Leadership

• Collaborate with Facilities, Quality, IT, Laboratory, and Engineering leadership to align control strategies with operational and regulatory requirements.
• Govern external automation vendors and provide technical leadership to internal engineering and facilities resources.
• Provide technical guidance on major controls, HVAC, automation, and capital improvement initiatives.
• Communicate complex technical issues, risks, and recommendations clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Automation, Controls, Facilities Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in facility controls, building automation, controls engineering, or Client/Client ownership, preferably within regulated life sciences, pharmaceutical, biotech, or clinical laboratory environments.
• Strong understanding of life sciences facilities and regulated/controlled environments.
• Demonstrated experience with broader facility controls processes and HVAC systems, including environmental monitoring and control strategies.
• Strong hands-on troubleshooting skills across Client/Client, HVAC controls, controllers, sensors, networks, and related facility systems.
• Hands-on experience writing, modifying, and troubleshooting Building Automation System control code/programming is required.
• Experience with Client/Client platforms such as Alerton, Trane Tracer, Client, or comparable systems.
• Demonstrated experience owning enterprise-level Client/Client architectures across multiple facilities or complex regulated sites.
• Strong expertise in HVAC systems, environmental control strategies, alarm management, and building automation protocols including BACnet, Modbus, OPC, and PLCs.
• Proven ability to move beyond reactive troubleshooting and provide strategic technical direction for facility controls and automation.
• Experience leading validation and compliance strategies for facility automation systems, including audit participation and remediation.
• Strong understanding of GxP principles, data integrity expectations, and regulated laboratory operations.
• Ability to operate autonomously, influence without authority, and drive alignment across technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Excellent documentation, communication, troubleshooting, and strategic problem-solving skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and standard engineering documentation tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Experience with room mapping, commissioning, and qualification activities for controlled spaces.
• Certifications such as Certified Building Commissioning Professional (CBCP), Certified Automation Professional (CAP), or relevant Client manufacturer certifications.
• Experience supporting multiple Client/Client platforms and integrating controls across complex facilities.

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand, walk, climb ladders, and access mechanical spaces for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs. for equipment installation or maintenance tasks.
• Requires manual dexterity to work within control panels, sensor housings, and equipment racks.
• Ability to work in mechanical rooms, rooftops, and laboratory environments as needed.

Training

All job-specific, safety, and compliance training will be assigned based on the job functions associated with this position.

Other

• This position requires periodic travel and occasional evening, weekend, and/or holiday work.
• May require after-hours response to emergency facility control or automation issues.
• Periodically scheduled on-call responsibilities may require after-hours response for technical emergencies.
• At times, weekend and holiday work may be required.