Principal Product Controls Engineering Manager

Tract Capital Management • Seattle, WA

1d

About The Position

The Principal Product Controls Engineering Manager leads the controls strategy for advanced mechanical and electrical infrastructure in large-scale data centers, including cooling and power systems. This role drives control architecture and optimization to improve energy efficiency, capacity, and reliability, while developing AI-driven capabilities for real-time optimization, anomaly detection, and predictive maintenance. You will lead a controls engineering team and partner across product, design, operations, and external stakeholders to scale solutions from concept to global deployment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Controls, or related field
• 10+ years of controls engineering experience, with at least 5 years in data centers, HVAC, or power systems
• Experience designing and implementing controls for complex mechanical and electrical systems
• Track record of improving system performance, efficiency, or reliability
• Experience leading projects or teams from concept through operations
• Hands-on experience with PLCs, embedded controls, or BMS/DDC platforms
• Knowledge of protocols such as BACnet, Modbus, OPC UA, and industrial networking
• Familiarity with data tools such as Python, SQL, or MATLAB

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in engineering, controls, AI, or data science
• Experience in hyperscale or colocation data centers
• Background in air- or liquid-cooled systems and their control strategies
• Experience implementing AI/ML in operational environments
• Familiarity with industrial cybersecurity practices
• Experience managing vendors or third-party partners

Responsibilities

• Define controls roadmap, standards, and system architectures across products and sites
• Develop scalable sequence-of-operations frameworks and reusable control libraries
• Ensure integration with BMS, DCIM, and SCADA systems using secure, open protocols (BACnet, Modbus, OPC UA)
• Lead design of control systems including PID loops, safety interlocks, redundancy, and operating sequences
• Translate mechanical and electrical requirements into control logic and embedded software
• Oversee controller configurations, I/O definitions, and functional specifications
• Improve PUE, thermal performance, and electrical efficiency
• Optimize capacity utilization and system reliability under varying conditions
• Implement model-based and data-driven controls using real-time and forecasted inputs
• Develop predictive maintenance and anomaly detection capabilities
• Define data requirements and partner with data teams to build models
• Deploy AI-driven solutions into real-time or near-real-time environments with appropriate safeguards
• Establish testing frameworks (HIL/SIL), FAT/SAT procedures, and regression testing
• Define controls-related quality standards and validation processes
• Lead root cause analysis and issue resolution during commissioning and early operations
• Partner with engineering, design, commissioning, and operations teams
• Work with vendors, OEMs, and integrators to align on controls requirements and cybersecurity standards
• Support compliance with applicable codes and safety requirements
• Build and lead a high-performing controls engineering team
• Set technical standards and drive continuous improvement
• Provide leadership across multiple concurrent projects

Benefits

• Tract Capital employees enjoy competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including 100% employer-covered medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401K program, standard paid holidays, and unlimited PTO.

What This Job Offers

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