BUILDING AUTOMATION SPECIALIST

ABOUT US:

Scripps Research is a nonprofit biomedical institute ranked as one of the most influential in the world for its impact on innovation. We celebrated our 100-year legacy in 2024. This significant milestone marks a century of seminal discoveries in immunology, infectious diseases (such as COVID-19, flu, HIV), neuroscience, heart disease, cancer, and more. Located in La Jolla, California, the institute houses six research departments, multiple Nobel laureates, a top-ranked graduate school and a leading postdoctoral training program. Scripps Research encompasses two elite and highly innovative institutes, the Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines and Scripps Research Translational Institute, which merge foundational studies in biology, chemistry and computer science with translational science to produce pioneering drugs and advances in digital and precision medicine. Together, we cultivate new scientific leaders and expand the frontiers of knowledge to deliver medical breakthroughs impacting human health around the globe. If you have a passion for making a difference, this could be your opportunity to join our transformative team.

POSITION TITL E : Building Automation Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Building Automation Specialist performs installation, programming, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of the building automation, direct digital control, and environmental monitoring systems that serve laboratory, vivarium, and general campus HVAC and mechanical equipment throughout the institute. Serves as the technical resource to the Mechanical Shop for controls diagnostics, system optimization, and energy performance.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Operate, administer, and maintain the institute's building management system (BMS) and direct digital control (DDC) systems, including controllers, network devices, operator workstations, graphics, point databases, trend logs, schedules, and alarm configurations;
• Write, modify, test, and document control sequences and programs for air handling units, exhaust and supply fans, variable air volume terminals, fume hoods, chillers, boilers, pumps, heat exchangers, and variable frequency drive systems;
• Install, terminate, calibrate, and replace field control devices, including DDC controllers, sensors, transmitters, actuators, control valves, dampers, relays, transducers, and pneumatic components; verify proper operation following installation or replacement;
• Troubleshoot system malfunctions to determine whether the cause is controls, mechanical, electrical, or network related; respond to emergency calls and coordinate corrective action with HVAC Mechanics, electricians, and outside vendors;
• Monitor and maintain critical environments, including laboratory and vivarium space pressurization relationships, fume hood and biosafety cabinet airflow, cold rooms, warm rooms, temperature- and humidity-sensitive instrument and equipment areas;
• Configure, test, and maintain environmental monitoring and alarm notification for critical research equipment and spaces; investigate alarm events and document findings and corrective action;
• Analyze system trend data to diagnose comfort complaints, identify equipment faults and failing devices, verify sequence performance, and recommend energy conservation and operational improvements;
• Perform and document controls-related preventive maintenance, sensor calibration, control loop tuning, and functional performance testing; support retro-commissioning of existing building systems;
• Support capital and renovation projects by reviewing controls submittals, drawings, sequences of operation, and points lists; witness contractor start-up and commissioning; verify proper integration into the campus BMS prior to acceptance;
• Maintain accurate documentation, including as-built sequences, point naming conventions, network architecture, wiring diagrams, program backups, and system change logs;
• Interpret blueprints, control drawings, schematics, layouts or other specifications to determine installation, modification, or repair requirements;
• Interact with TSRI personnel, contractors and vendors to evaluate, plan and coordinate work. Estimate labor and material costs for work requests. May order supplies;
• Perform routine work orders and preventative maintenance tasks, as assigned;
• Details of established essential functions for this position will be addressed/discussed during the interview process.

REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been attained.
• Completion of an approved building automation, HVAC controls, instrumentation, or electronics training program. Associate degree or manufacturer certification in a related technical field preferred.
• Minimum of 4 years of directly related experience with commercial or institutional building automation and direct digital control systems.
• Requires demonstrated experience with commercial building automation systems, including controller programming, graphics development, point database configuration, trending, and alarm management. Experience with one or more of the following platforms is strongly preferred: Siemens (APOGEE/Desigo), Johnson Controls (Metasys).
• Requires working knowledge of HVAC and mechanical systems and of sequences of operation for air handling, hydronic, and laboratory exhaust systems, with the ability to compute heat load calculations and air exchange ratios.
• Requires experience installing, wiring, calibrating and troubleshooting controls field devices and instrumentation, including sensors, actuators, control valves, and variable frequency drives; requires the ability to use electrical and HVAC diagnostic test equipment and to interpret control drawings and schematics.
• Requires working knowledge of building automation network protocols and system architecture, such as BACnet, Modbus or LonWorks, and of information technology networking fundamentals as applied to control systems.
• Experience with laboratory or other critical environment controls, including room pressurization, fume hood airflow control, and environmental monitoring and alarming, is strongly preferred.
• Must meet all required federal and state license requirements.
• Requires professional interpersonal, communication, and written skills, including the ability to clearly document control sequences, system changes, and troubleshooting findings.
• Ability to evaluate mechanical and electrical systems for coordination with other facilities staff.
• Ability to lift and carry heavy objects, with or without accommodation, up to 50 pounds, use hand power tools, work from ladders and lifts, access mechanical rooms and rooftops, and work under time constraints.
• Requires valid driver license issued from the state in which the position is located.
• May be required to participate in facilities call-back or off hours interruptions.

COMPENSATION:

The expected hiring range for this position is $97,000 to $116,000/annually, commensurate with experience. Consideration will be given to experience that exceeds the listed requirements.


COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Employer Contributed Retirement Plan – Depending on eligibility, employees receive an employer contributed retirement plan (no employee contribution required) and the option to contribute to a 403(b) (which is similar to a 401(k) using your own pre or post-tax dollars)
• Full Suite of Health and Welfare plans including three medical plan options (including an HSA available option), dental, vision, life insurance, disability, EAP and more
• Access to Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical/Dependent Care)
• Competitive vacation and sick leave policies
• Free, on-site parking

The above statements describe the level of work performed and expected in general terms. The statements are not intended to list all the responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of employees so classified, and the content herein is subject to change due to the business needs of Scripps Research, with or without notice. Furthermore, nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to be in conflict with or to eliminate or modify in any way the employment-at-will status of Scripps Research staff.


EEO Statement:

The Scripps Research Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote diversity of thought, culture, and background in the fields of science. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and 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 legally protected characteristic or status.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.