Sales Engineer (Data Center Design Build)

About Inovi, Inc.: Born in Silicon Valley, we’re a boutique AI infrastructure company building sustainable, next-generation digital infrastructure, end to end. From design through operation, our work is engineered for the performance, scale, and efficiency that advanced AI and computing demand, while strengthening the communities around us.

Location:  Oakland, CA — Hybrid with some travel

Type:  Full-time, exempt

Reports to:  AI Infrastructure Lead

Direct reports:  none

Position Summary

We're looking for early-career controls engineers who already do this work day to day. You might come from building management systems (BMS) and mechanical controls, or from electrical power monitoring systems (EPMS) and electrical controls. Depth in one is what matters; we don't expect both.

The focus is implementation and commissioning: PLCs, field devices, instrumentation and sequences of operation. OT/IT network and cybersecurity architecture sit with other specialists. Experience at a controls systems integrator is ideal. You'll work alongside experienced engineers and delivery partners to turn design requirements into reliable, tested systems.

Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities

• Program and configure PLCs and control systems for mechanical/BMS or electrical/EPMS applications across AI data center campuses.
• Implement and test sequences of operation, control logic, alarms and interlocks against approved functional requirements.
• Keep controls documentation current: control diagrams, I/O and point lists, instrumentation details, sequences of operation and commissioning records.
• Integrate field devices, sensors, instrumentation, equipment controllers and supervisory systems, then validate point mapping, communications and data quality.
• Maintain control programs, configuration backups, version history, change records and rollback procedures so commissioning and operations stay safe.
• Configure and troubleshoot industrial communications such as BACnet/IP, BACnet MS/TP, Modbus TCP/RTU, OPC UA or IEC 61850, depending on the system and discipline.
• Partner with mechanical, electrical, IT/networking, cybersecurity and operations teams to resolve integration issues and put approved OT connectivity and security requirements in place.
• Work directly with controls integrators, vendors and contractors to resolve design, installation and performance issues.
• Run and document factory and site acceptance testing, point-to-point checks, sequence verification and integrated systems testing, and troubleshoot control logic, instrumentation, alarms and communication failures.

Requirements

• 3-5 years of hands-on experience programming, configuring, integrating or commissioning control systems in data centers, industrial automation, buildings or other critical infrastructure.
• Working knowledge of PLC programming and control logic, with the ability to implement and troubleshoot sequences of operation.
• Experience in BMS/mechanical controls or EPMS/electrical controls, and a solid grasp of the equipment and operating sequences in that discipline.
• Experience configuring field devices and instrumentation, validating I/O and point mapping, and diagnosing control system behavior.
• Working knowledge of industrial communication protocols and the basic OT networking needed to connect and troubleshoot control systems.
• Comfort reading control diagrams, equipment documentation, I/O lists and functional specifications, and keeping implementation records accurate.
• Hands-on functional testing, commissioning and systematic troubleshooting using trends, alarms, logs and field observations.
• Clear communication with integrators, vendors, construction teams and operations, and a steady habit of safe work and change control.
• A bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, controls or automation engineering or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Compensation & Benefits:

Base pay for this role is $175,000, plus participation in our commissions program and profit sharing. The offer depends on individual factors such as experience, skills and location, and eligible employees may also receive performance-related bonuses.

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match

We share full benefits details with candidates during the hiring process. This role is at-will, and Inovi may adjust base pay and other compensation based on individual performance, team or company results, or market conditions.

Expect to travel about 50% of the time, to data center campuses, vendors, labs, construction sites, commissioning activities and controls or network cutovers.

You'll move between office, lab, construction and live data center environments, so you should be comfortable with PPE, lockout/tagout, cyber hygiene and change-control requirements. Some work is time-sensitive: commissioning, startup, vendor testing, cutovers, network changes, telemetry issues, automation failures and operational events.

Inovi is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Inovi will use e-Verify to confirm work authorization.