Controls Engineer SME

Position Summary:Applied Digital is seeking a highly skilled Data Center Controls Engineer – Operational Subject Matter Expert (SME). This role focuses on the design, implementation, maintenance, and optimization of control systems within data centers, ensuring reliable, efficient, and secure operations. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in building management systems (BMS), electrical power monitoring systems (EPMS), automation, and related infrastructure. As an SME, you will also provide technical leadership, troubleshooting guidance, and strategic input on data center projects Key Responsibilities: System Design: Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of APLD team members and consultants to develop detailed designs for the data center's controls systems, including BMS, EPMS, DDC/PLC/SCADA networks, and equipment control sequences, considering industry best practices and system resiliency.

• Technical Specifications: Participate in the creation of comprehensive technical specifications, points lists, and control narratives/sequences of operation that clearly outline system requirements for contractors and construction teams.

• Compliance: Ensure all controls designs comply with local building codes, industry standards, and regulations, including relevant NFPA, IEEE, and cybersecurity/OT network requirements.

• System Integration & Reliability: Incorporate robust integration architectures and redundancy practices into the design to minimize downtime risk and support target uptime for the data center.

• Vendor Selection: Participate in the evaluation and selection of vendors and suppliers for controls hardware, software platforms, and network components, considering quality, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.

• Risk Assessment: Identify potential risks associated with controls system designs (including failure modes, cybersecurity exposure, and single points of failure) and develop mitigation plans to ensure data center reliability.

• Project Coordination: Coordinate with architects, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless integration of controls systems with the overall data center design.

• Documentation Control: Maintain accurate records of design changes, points lists, sequences of operation, and engineering documents throughout the project lifecycle.

• Quality Assurance: Provide technical support during the construction, commissioning, and integration of controls systems to ensure they meet design specifications and quality standards.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of proven experience designing controls/automation systems for data center or mission-critical facilities.
• Proficiency in controls engineering software, PLC programming platforms, and BMS/EPMS configuration tools.
• In-depth knowledge of BMS, EPMS, SCADA architecture, and mission-critical facility control sequences.
• Professional Engineering (PE) license is preferred, but not required.