Sr. Building Automation Design Engineer - PLC & Industrial Controls

Siemens • Nashville, TN

5h • $66,259 - $113,587 • Hybrid

About The Position

Senior Building Automation Design Engineers – PLC & Industrial Controls create advanced design solutions for complex building automation, HVAC controls, and PLC-based control systems in new and existing facilities. This role supports data centers, pharmaceutical facilities, laboratories, central utility plants, and other mission-critical environments by developing reliable control strategies, integration architectures, controls drawings, design documentation, and technical solutions that meet customer requirements, improve operational performance, and support successful project execution.

Requirements

• High school diploma or state-recognized GED.
• 5+ years of experience in building automation, HVAC controls, industrial controls, or PLC-based control system design.
• Proven ability to lead the design of complex automation and controls projects with minimal supervision.
• Strong knowledge of building automation systems, HVAC controls, PLC/DDC architecture, electrical controls, and engineering best practices.
• Proficiency with design and drafting tools such as AutoCAD, Visio, or similar platforms.
• Experience developing and reviewing controls documentation, including control narratives, I/O lists, panel layouts, network diagrams, and sequences of operation.
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols and system integration, including BACnet, Modbus, Profinet, and EtherNet/IP.
• Experience collaborating with programmers and automation specialists to support implementation, commissioning, and field execution of control systems.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States on a continual and permanent basis without sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in engineering, engineering technology, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience designing Siemens or third-party PLC-based building automation, HVAC, industrial controls, or mission-critical facility systems.
• Knowledge of PLC programming, troubleshooting, commissioning, or design using platforms such as Siemens TIA Portal, Siemens PLCs, Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, or similar technologies.
• Experience designing control systems for data centers, pharmaceutical facilities, laboratories, cleanrooms, central utility plants, or other critical environments.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers, lead technical reviews, support engineering standards, and coordinate multi-discipline design teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design of building automation and PLC-based control solutions for data centers, pharmaceutical facilities, laboratories, central utility plants, and other critical environments.
• Translate project requirements, contract documents, and customer standards into complete control system design packages, including drawings, panel layouts, I/O lists, network architecture, bills of materials, sequences of operation, and commissioning documentation.
• Design PLC and DDC control strategies for HVAC systems, central plants, critical environments, and process systems, while ensuring compliance with submittal requirements, documentation standards, equipment safeties, alarms, interlocks, and fail-safe operational requirements.
• Develop automation network architectures and integration solutions utilizing platforms and protocols such as BACnet, Modbus, Profinet, EtherNet/IP, Siemens APOGEE, Desigo, and other enterprise-level systems.
• Collaborate with programmers, project managers, commissioning specialists, field technicians, contractors, consultants, and customers to ensure designs are executable, technical issues are resolved, and project objectives are achieved.
• Review plans, specifications, codes, and customer requirements while performing design reviews, quality assurance checks, technical evaluations, and risk assessments to ensure compliance and project success.
• Serve as a senior technical resource by mentoring engineers, supporting standards development, managing design changes and re-estimates, and driving consistency and best practices across complex automation and industrial controls projects.

Benefits

• Variety of health and wellness benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED