Principal Automation Systems Engineer, NA

Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world’s well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

Automation Systems Group

The Automation Systems Group is responsible for the design, construction and support of cutting-edge data center automation and control infrastructure. The department collaborates with Operations, Sales, Engineering, Information Technology and Management to ensure the system continues to fulfill Vantage customer requirements. Automation Systems works closely with partner contractors to come up with the best design and helps manage these partners to success by providing accurate requirements, goals, and timelines. In addition to design and construction, we are also responsible for the technical requirements of the Operations department involving troubleshooting, calibrating, and repairing mission critical control systems throughout all Vantage locations.

Position Overview

Vantage is looking for an ambitious, diligent, hands-on Principal Automation Systems Engineer to lead software development for construction of Vantage facilities. You will review mechanical and electrical drawings, sequence of operation documents, and instrumentation diagrams to assist in writing logic control software and visualization applications for new builds on a variety of system platforms. You will also be called on to fix existing automation systems in a live, mission-critical environment, and complete startup, commissioning, and validation procedures on new and existing data center infrastructure.

Essential Job Functions

• Collaborate with peers to ensure encapsulation and application of lessons learned and improvements to developed standards and prototypes.

• Develop and deploy new PLC & SCADA applications for control system projects, with minimal direction.

• Plan and implement PLC & SCADA software application modifications in an online, critical environment.

• Educate regionally based Automation Systems personnel on standards and prototype programming to support Vantage market expansion and growth.

• Support data center planning and development activities, including contractor management, validation of hardware and software systems, alarming, data recovery, and functional logic.

• Develop controls architecture for customer build to suit and program level telemetry projects.

• Work with multi-functional partners in support of controls and automation driven customer billing, reporting, and notification.

• Optimize control logic programming increase data center efficiency and sustainability, including but not limited to, application of machine learning.

• Additional duties as assigned by Management

Duties

• Collaborate with Design, Engineering, Automation Systems, and Construction teams during prototype development, as well as members of the Automation Operations, Information Technology and Site Operations team for sustaining existing automation architecture.

• Support the corporate development team in merger and acquisition growth and onboarding of new personnel through due diligence assessments, integration plan development, and new team member onboarding.

• Develop standardized quality control processes to support the start-up and testing of sophisticated control systems.

• Examine project documents, including Mechanical and Electrical drawings, Sequences of Operation, Bill of Materials, Process and Instrumentation Diagrams, and project schedules when developing automation logic that will work with our visualization applications.

• Build standardized prototype Controls Architecture Documents to include Networking Topology & IP Scheme for new data centers based on prototype build.

• Lead other integration team members and staff augmentation personnel

Job Requirements

• 5-7 years of experience in Industrial Automation required 10 to 12 years preferred

• Data Center experience is strongly preferred, but not required

• Knowledge of automation systems (control loops, field IO, etc.) in a critical environment

• Advanced Knowledge of programming to include Rockwell Automation and Carel software platform is required

• Knowledge of industrial PLC systems manufactured by groundbreaking, large-scale vendors

• Travel required is expected to be 25% but may increase over time as the business evolves

Physical Demands and Special Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop or kneel; talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Additional Details

• Salary Range: $160,000-$175,000 Base + Bonus (this range is based on Colorado market data and may vary in other locations)

• This position is eligible for company benefits including but not limited to medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and AD&D, short and long-term disability coverage, paid time off, employee assistance, participation in a 401k program that includes company match, and many other additional voluntary benefits.

• Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including your qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience and may fall outside of the range shown.

#LI-Remote #LI-AT1

We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other’s strengths and respecting each other’s weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.

Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community.

Don't meet all the requirements? Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values.

Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Vantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers.

We’ll be accepting applications for at least one week from the date this role is posted. If you're interested, we encourage you to apply soon—we’re excited to find the right person and will keep the role open until we do!