Principal Electrical Controls Engineer - Data Center Infrastructure (WASHINGTON)

Job Title:  Principal Electrical Design Engineer

Job Family: Electrical Design Engineering

Organization : Data Center Infrastructure Team

Location:  Remote* OR Austin, TX

*Requires up to 20% domestic and/or international travel (rare)

How will you make an impact?

We are seeking a highly experienced and innovative Principal Controls Engineer to lead the development, optimization and implementation of advanced control systems across critical infrastructure products and automation platforms. This role is critical to ensuring the performance, reliability, and scalability of critical systems, with a strong emphasis on data center infrastructure, power/energy management, and industrial automation.

This role will involve designing and developing wiring harness systems, including schematic creation, harness architecture, panel layout, developing specifications, selecting key components, and transitioning design to manufacturing. Furthermore, the position includes leading test process implementation and ensuring equipment alignment to maintain the highest standards of operational excellence and reliability.

What will you do?

• Define and own the control system architecture across multiple platforms, including PLCs, BMS, EPMS, and ATS systems, ensuring scalability, reliability, and maintainability.
• Develop detailed control system specifications, functional design documents, and interface definitions for all subsystems.
• Proficiency in PLC/SCADA programming, HMI development, and system integration with IT networks and facility equipment.
• Ability to read and create BOMs. visual aids, electrical schematics, control diagrams, and sequence of operations.
• Define control logic, sensor integration, and communication protocols (e.g., Modbus, BACnet, SNMP) for intelligent power and cooling management.
• Validate control systems through simulation, testing, and commissioning to ensure reliability, safety, and responsiveness.
• Experience with critical infrastructure systems: UPS, generators, switchgear, chillers, CRAC/CRAH units, fire suppression systems.
• Lead Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) for new projects and revisions.
• Drive the development of system-level simulations and digital twins to validate control strategies before deployment
• Architect integration strategies for control systems with enterprise platforms such as SCADA, CMMS, and cloud-based monitoring tools
• Establish design patterns and best practices for modular and reusable control logic across projects
• Lead root cause analysis and resolution of complex control system issues during commissioning and operations
• Evaluate emerging technologies and automation trends to continuously improve system performance and efficiency
• Develop and maintain documentation for system architecture, control logic, and operational procedures
• Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, software, and facilities engineering teams to ensure seamless integration of control systems with physical infrastructure
• Work closely with cross functional teams to align control system designs with business requirements, timelines, and operational constraints
• Facilitate design reviews, technical workshops, and cross-functional planning sessions to ensure alignment and transparency across engineering disciplines
• Support commissioning and field teams during deployment, troubleshooting, and optimization of control systems

How will you get here?

Education : 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering or a relevant engineering discipline.

Experience :  

• 8+ years pf experience in control system design and implementation
• Deep expertise in the following:
  • PLC programming (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider Electric)
  • Building Management Systems (BMS) integration and optimization
  • Electrical Power Monitoring Systems (EPMS/EDPM) for real-time energy analytics
  • Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS) control and failover logic
• Strong proficiency in control theory, system modeling, and simulation tools (MATLAB/Simulink)
• Experience with industrial protocols (Modbus, BACnet, OPC UA, Ethernet/IP)
• Familiarity with NFPA, IEC, and ISO standards related to control systems and safety.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Creative, self-motivated, accountable, and team-oriented
• Able to work independently with minimal oversight as part of a global team
• Proficient in reading, analyzing, and interpreting general business publications, professional journals, technical procedures, and government regulations
• Skilled in writing reports, business correspondence, and procedural guides
• Effective at presenting information and responding to management, clients, and public queries
• Capable of influencing others and sharing best practices while mentoring less experienced engineers
• Capable of assessing projects, articulating risks, and developing project milestones
• Familiar with stage-gate processes in project lifecycle management (PLCM)
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Experience in EPlan, WindChill, SolidWorks, and DevOps are a plus
• Experience with hyperscale or colocation data center environments
• Familiarity with low and medium-voltage systems

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering or a relevant engineering discipline
• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license
• Experience in mission-critical environments such as data centers, manufacturing, or energy systems.
• Experience with digital twin modeling and predictive maintenance strategies.