Job Title: Building Automation Design Engineer
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Job Type: Full-Time
Reports To: Controls Engineering Manager or Director of Engineering
Company Overview
We are a mechanical service and controls company specializing in HVAC, building controls, and mission-critical infrastructure throughout the commercial, industrial, institutional, and government sectors. We deliver comprehensive services including HVAC maintenance and repair, energy optimization, design-build retrofit, indoor air quality, data-center and mission critical systems, and advanced building controls.
Our approach emphasizes energy efficiency, system lifecycle planning, and integrated design solutions.
Job Summary
As a Building Automation Design Engineer, you will lead the design of building automation/control systems to optimize performance, energy efficiency, and reliability within projects spanning new builds, retrofits, and mission-critical facilities. You will interface with clients, architects, mechanical engineers, and field teams to deliver control strategies, sequences, drawings, and the technical foundation for successful implementations.
Key Responsibilities
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Lead development of control system designs, including sequence of operations, hardware selection (controllers, sensors, actuators, field devices), network topology, communication protocols (e.g. BACnet, Modbus, LonWorks, etc.)
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Create and deliver control system schematics, wiring diagrams, I/O lists, panel layouts, point-to-point wiring, and integration details
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Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and architectural disciplines to coordinate HVAC, lighting, metering, energy management, and building systems integration
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Perform energy modeling, simulation, and controls analysis to validate and optimize control strategies
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Evaluate existing systems for retrofit opportunities, assess feasibility, and propose upgrade paths aligned with energy optimization goal
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Prepare basis-of-design (BOD) documents, control narratives, and performance specification sections
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Provide support for project commissioning, system validation, functional testing, and fine-tuning of control logic in the field
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Interface with clients and stakeholders to present control strategies, explain technical decisions, and respond to questions
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Stay current on emerging technologies (IoT, advanced control algorithms, energy recovery systems, etc.) and propose innovations in building automation
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Mentor junior engineers or technicians; review pre-construction submittals and shop drawings
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Support bidding and estimating efforts by providing control scope, cost estimates, and value engineering options
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Ensure compliance with relevant codes, standards, and best practices (e.g. ASHRAE, energy codes, cybersecurity for BAS)
Qualifications
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Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, or similar)
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5+ years of experience in building automation design, controls engineering, or controls integration
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Proficiency with BAS design tools, control logic programming, and automation standards (BACnet, Modbus, etc.)
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Strong understanding of HVAC system components, piping, pumps, fans, boilers, chillers, air-handling units
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Experience with energy modeling, measurement & verification, and control optimization
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Capability to produce clear and accurate control documentation, drawings, and specifications
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Good communication skills, able to liaison with clients, design teams, and field staff
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Problem-solving mindset, ability to troubleshoot control systems in design and field phase.