Controls Design Manager - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend • Houston, TX

1d • $170,000 - $210,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking a Controls Design Manager to work with our team and partner with our client, supporting design leadership for new and existing construction builds, with a focus on data center development. The Controls Design Manager should have a strong background in building automation systems (BAS), industrial controls, SCADA, PLC-based systems, and data center critical infrastructure controls, with deep experience in controls design, engineering leadership, integration, and commissioning support.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in controls design, building automation, industrial automation, or mission-critical facilities.
• Experience with Building Management Systems (BMS), Electrical Power Monitoring Systems (EPMS), SCADA, PLCs, and networked control systems.
• Experience supporting hyperscale data center, mission-critical, or industrial facility projects.
• Strong understanding of integrated systems testing, commissioning, and controls system operations.
• Familiarity with control system cybersecurity requirements and industry standards.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Provides support and reports to the assigned Project Manager(s) or Project Director. This position has frequent interaction with the Owner/Client, consultants, design professionals, systems integrators, and contractors.
• Directly assist the Project Manager(s) in managing, coordinating, and administering the project through all phases of design and construction, with an emphasis on controls systems design, integration, and automation strategy.
• Responsible for ensuring all aspects of client services are delivered at the highest level to ensure the client's needs are addressed, including technical guidance on Building Management Systems (BMS), Electrical Power Monitoring Systems (EPMS), SCADA systems, and critical facility controls architecture.
• Aids in the preparation of documents (reports, schedules, invoices, RFIs, submittals, meeting minutes/agendas, daily reports, change orders, inspections, closeout, and client presentations) for programming, design, and construction, and will assist in maintaining information in project management software.
• Coordinate and schedule meetings with the project team as directed by the Project Manager(s).
• Communicate conceptual controls designs and create/maintain project documentation before, during, and after construction, including controls sequences of operation, controls design standards, points lists, network architecture drawings, and controls specifications.
• Maintain Basis of Design (BOD), prototype controls designs, and template specifications for automation and controls systems, ensuring alignment with evolving business, operational, and reliability requirements.
• Review and inform design RFPs, including scope development for controls engineering and systems integration services.
• Manage external controls consultants, commissioning providers, and systems integrators through the design and construction process, ensuring controls contract documents are completed on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with company standards.
• Effectively communicate controls standards and automation requirements to internal and external project partners, including engineering, operations, commissioning, and facilities teams.
• Manage multiple fast-paced projects simultaneously, providing strategic technical leadership across controls system design, integration, and operational readiness activities.
• Think outside the box to identify innovative controls solutions that improve operational efficiency, reliability, monitoring capabilities, and scalability while reducing lifecycle costs.
• Support procurement activities through vendor submittal reviews, controls equipment evaluations, factory witness testing (FAT), and integrated systems testing planning.
• Lead the review of controls sequences, alarms, trending strategies, system integrations, and monitoring requirements to ensure compliance with operational and reliability objectives.
• Identify and implement innovative technologies that enhance automation, predictive monitoring, energy efficiency, fault detection, and system resilience.
• Support commissioning and startup efforts, including controls functional performance testing, integrated systems testing (IST), and turnover documentation reviews.
• Stay current with industry advancements and apply best practices related to controls systems, automation technologies, cybersecurity requirements, and data center operations.
• Communicate and enforce engineering, controls, and design policies across the organization.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role and are to be adhered to where applicable.

Benefits

• A great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.
• Support a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior