Technical Specialist - Building Automation & Data Center Controls (Toledo)

Location: Toledo, Ohio
Job Type: Full-Time
Industry: Building Automation / Mission-Critical Controls
Project Type: Data Center
Travel: Primarily project-based in the Toledo area, with occasional regional travel as required

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced Technical Specialist to support the delivery, integration, commissioning, and optimization of building automation and HVAC control systems for a large-scale data center project in Toledo, Ohio.

This is a senior technical position responsible for resolving complex controls issues, supporting field teams, reviewing system design and programming, and ensuring that integrated systems perform in accordance with project specifications and sequences of operation.

The successful candidate will bring strong hands-on experience with Building Automation Systems, HVAC controls, critical cooling infrastructure, system integration, and IP-based controls networks. This individual will work closely with project managers, engineers, programmers, technicians, commissioning teams, subcontractors, and client representatives throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Field Support

• Serve as a senior technical resource for Building Automation System and HVAC controls activities across the data center project.
• Provide technical guidance to controls technicians, programmers, subcontractors, and commissioning personnel.
• Diagnose and resolve complex controls, electrical, networking, programming, and system-integration issues.
• Support field teams during installation, startup, testing, commissioning, and project closeout.
• Review technical problems, determine root causes, and implement effective corrective actions.
• Assist with the prioritization and resolution of controls-related punch-list items.
• Mentor junior technicians and help establish consistent technical and quality standards across the project.

Building Automation & HVAC Controls

• Support the programming, configuration, integration, and commissioning of BAS and DDC systems.
• Review and optimize control sequences for mission-critical mechanical and cooling systems.
• Troubleshoot controllers, sensors, actuators, control panels, communication networks, and field devices.
• Perform point-to-point verification, sensor calibration, functional testing, and system validation.
• Review system graphics, alarms, trends, schedules, setpoints, and user-interface functionality.
• Confirm that system operation aligns with approved sequences of operation, design documents, and client requirements.
• Support modifications to controls programming and system graphics where required.
• Verify the proper operation of control loops, interlocks, safeties, alarms, and equipment failover sequences.

Data Center & Mission-Critical Systems

• Support controls associated with critical datacenter infrastructure, including:
  • Chillers and central cooling plants
  • Cooling towers and condenser-water systems
  • Chilled-water and condenser-water pumps
  • Computer Room Air Handling and Computer Room Air Conditioning units
  • Air-handling units and ventilation systems
  • Heat exchangers and water-side economizer systems
  • Variable-frequency drives
  • Electrical power monitoring and associated system interfaces
  • Leak-detection and environmental monitoring systems
• Assist with testing redundancy, equipment rotation, lead-lag logic, failover operation, and emergency sequences.
• Support integrated systems testing and functional performance testing.
• Participate in commissioning activities designed to validate system reliability under normal, alarm, failure, and recovery conditions.
• Help identify operational risks that could affect cooling availability, equipment redundancy, or facility uptime.

System Integration & Networking

• Support the integration of BAS platforms with mechanical equipment, packaged controls, electrical monitoring systems, and other facility systems.
• Troubleshoot BACnet, Modbus, and IP-based communication networks.
• Verify controller addressing, network connectivity, device communication, and database integrity.
• Coordinate with IT, electrical, mechanical, and vendor teams to resolve integration issues.
• Review equipment protocol documentation and assist with third-party device integration.
• Support troubleshooting of network switches, communication trunks, gateways, routers, and supervisory controllers as they relate to the controls system.
• Verify that equipment data, alarms, status points, and commands are correctly mapped and functioning as intended.

Commissioning & Quality Control

• Support system startup, checkout, commissioning, integrated testing, and client acceptance.
• Review controls submittals, drawings, specifications, sequences of operation, and commissioning documentation.
• Perform quality-control inspections of controls panels, field wiring, device installation, labeling, and system configuration.
• Participate in functional performance testing alongside commissioning agents and project representatives.
• Document deficiencies, coordinate corrective actions, and verify successful resolution.
• Assist with trend analysis and performance evaluation to confirm stable system operation.
• Ensure controls work meets project standards, approved documentation, and applicable quality requirements.
• Support the development and completion of turnover packages and closeout documentation.

Project Coordination

• Work closely with project managers to communicate technical risks, field issues, schedule impacts, and resource requirements.
• Coordinate technical activities with mechanical contractors, electrical contractors, equipment manufacturers, commissioning providers, and other project stakeholders.
• Participate in project coordination, commissioning, controls, and technical review meetings.
• Provide clear updates regarding system readiness, testing progress, deficiencies, and outstanding technical issues.
• Assist with planning controls cutovers, software updates, shutdowns, and system migrations.
• Support material and equipment reviews to ensure compatibility with approved designs.
• Escalate significant technical risks early and recommend practical mitigation strategies.

Documentation & Stakeholder Support

• Maintain accurate records of programming changes, testing results, field modifications, and system deficiencies.
• Produce detailed technical reports explaining system issues, root causes, and corrective actions.
• Update controls drawings, point lists, network architecture documents, software backups, and operating documentation as required.
• Assist with the preparation of test scripts, method-of-procedure documents, commissioning records, and system turnover packages.
• Communicate technical findings clearly to project leadership, facility representatives, and non-technical stakeholders.
• Provide system demonstrations, operator guidance, and technical training during project turnover.
• Maintain organized backups of controllers, supervisory devices, graphics, databases, and other critical system files.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in Building Automation Systems, HVAC controls, DDC controls, systems integration, or controls commissioning.
• Strong hands-on knowledge of BAS programming, troubleshooting, startup, and commissioning.
• Experience supporting large-scale commercial, industrial, healthcare, or mission-critical facilities.
• Strong understanding of HVAC systems and control strategies, including central cooling plants and airside systems.
• Experience troubleshooting controllers, sensors, actuators, control panels, field wiring, and communication networks.
• Ability to read and interpret:
  • Controls drawings
  • Mechanical and electrical drawings
  • Network architecture diagrams
  • Sequences of operation
  • Points lists
  • Equipment submittals
  • Control schematics
• Working knowledge of BACnet, Modbus, and IP-based controls networks.
• Knowledge of networking fundamentals, including IP addressing, subnetting, device connectivity, switches, and network troubleshooting.
• Experience performing point-to-point checkout and functional performance testing.
• Ability to diagnose complex technical problems and determine the underlying root cause.
• Strong documentation, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively with technicians, engineers, project managers, subcontractors, commissioning teams, and facility representatives.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple technical priorities in a fast-paced project environment.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to project locations as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience supporting data center or mission-critical controls projects.
• Experience with Niagara N4, Schneider Electric EcoStruxure, Siemens, Johnson Controls, Distech Controls, Trane, or comparable BAS platforms.
• Experience with critical cooling systems, chiller plants, CRAH units, CRAC units, cooling towers, and hydronic systems.
• Experience integrating BAS with Electrical Power Monitoring Systems, packaged equipment controls, and other facility platforms.
• Familiarity with integrated systems testing, commissioning scripts, and mission-critical failover scenarios.
• Experience reviewing or modifying controls programming, graphics, alarms, trends, and databases.
• Relevant OEM certifications involving Building Automation Systems or HVAC controls.
• Electrical troubleshooting experience involving low-voltage controls and instrumentation.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity practices and access controls for operational technology networks.
• Experience providing technical leadership or mentoring field-based controls teams.

What We're Looking For

• A highly technical controls professional who is comfortable working directly with complex field systems.
• A hands-on problem-solver who can methodically diagnose issues and drive them through to resolution.
• Someone who understands the reliability, redundancy, and documentation requirements of data center environments.
• A collaborative technical leader who can support field personnel while communicating effectively with project stakeholders.
• An individual who remains calm and organized during commissioning, testing, and high-priority troubleshooting activities.
• Someone who takes ownership of system quality and follows technical issues through to verified completion.

Work Location & Travel

• The position will be based on a data center project in the Toledo, Ohio area.
• Regular on-site presence will be required throughout installation, startup, commissioning, and turnover.
• Occasional travel to regional project sites, offices, vendor facilities, or other project locations may be required.
• Work schedules may occasionally include early starts, extended hours, weekends, or planned shutdown periods based on commissioning and project requirements.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk through active construction and data center environments for extended periods.
• Ability to climb ladders and stairs and access mechanical, electrical, and controls spaces.
• Ability to work around operating mechanical and electrical equipment.
• Ability to lift and carry tools, test equipment, and materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Manual dexterity to use hand tools, test instruments, laptops, wiring equipment, and controls components.
• Ability to work in mechanical rooms, equipment yards, ceiling spaces, and other restricted areas.
• Ability to wear all required personal protective equipment.
• Ability to work in varying indoor and outdoor environmental conditions.

Safety & Compliance

• Follow all client, project, and site-specific safety requirements.
• Participate in required safety meetings, orientations, pre-task planning, and job hazard analyses.
• Ensure controls work is completed in accordance with approved procedures, project standards, and applicable codes.
• Maintain a strong safety mindset when working around energized systems, rotating equipment, active mechanical systems, and operational facility infrastructure.
• Immediately communicate unsafe conditions, quality concerns, and technical risks to project leadership.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary based on experience and technical capabilities.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings plan with company contribution or match.
• Paid time off and company holidays.
• Training, certification, and professional-development opportunities.
• Career progression within large-scale controls, systems integration, and mission-critical project delivery.