Lead Data Center Controls Engineer

About Harbor Compute

Harbor Compute builds, owns, and operates the data centers that power frontier AI, turning land, energy, and engineering into usable AI infrastructure. We do so responsibly and in partnership with the communities where we build, with energy strategies that strengthen power resilience, economics that allow host communities to share in the upside, a focus on local suppliers whenever possible, and siting and design shaped by local input.

About the role

The data centers we're building for frontier AI depend on controls that keep cooling, power and monitoring working as one system. As our Data Center Controls Engineer, you'll set the controls standard for every campus we develop, so each one comes online reliable, efficient and secure.

You'll own the controls basis of design from concept through commissioning and into operations, covering BMS, EPMS and PLC/SCADA systems across our portfolio. You'll work with mechanical, electrical, network, construction and operations teams, and with the engineers of record, integrators and vendors who deliver the work. In your first year, success looks like a portfolio-wide controls standard in place and our first campuses designed and commissioned against it. You'll report to the Chief Infrastructure Officer and travel about 25% of the time to project and vendor sites.

What you'll do

• Lead controls design for new campuses and expansions, including BMS, EPMS, PLC/SCADA and branch circuit monitoring

• Own the controls basis of design, standards, points lists, naming conventions and reference architectures for the portfolio

• Write and review sequences of operation for chilled water plants, air handling, economizers and liquid cooling (CDUs, facility water loops) for high-density AI/GPU deployments

• Define controls redundancy, network architecture and protocols (BACnet, Modbus TCP, SNMP, OPC UA), and OT cybersecurity requirements aligned with IEC 62443

• Direct engineers of record, controls integrators and vendors from drawings and submittals through PLC/DDC code and graphics, and lead platform selection and factory acceptance testing

• Lead the controls scope of construction and integrated commissioning (L1–L5), including point-to-point verification, sequence validation and failover testing

• Serve as the controls technical authority as campuses come online: lead root cause analysis, use trend data to improve PUE and WUE, and mentor junior engineers

What you'll bring

• Bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, controls or computer engineering

• 10+ years of controls engineering experience, including 5+ years in mission-critical or data center environments on multi-MW hyperscale, colocation or large enterprise projects

• Hands-on experience designing, programming and commissioning BMS, EPMS and PLC/SCADA systems on major platforms (e.g. Siemens, Schneider Electric, Rockwell, Johnson Controls, Honeywell)

• Deep knowledge of how data center mechanical and electrical systems are controlled (chilled water, air handling, UPS, switchgear, generators) and of OT networking and protocols (BACnet, Modbus, SNMP, TCP/IP, VLANs)

• A track record of writing sequences of operation, points lists and commissioning scripts, and resolving controls issues in live facilities

• Experience managing consultants, integrators and vendors, and explaining trade-offs clearly to executives

Nice to have

• Professional Engineer (PE) license

• Experience with liquid cooling controls (CDUs, direct-to-chip) or DCIM platforms

• Familiarity with OT cybersecurity standards (IEC 62443, NIST SP 800-82) and SCADA platforms such as Ignition

• Background in both design consulting or systems integration and owner/operator roles

Compensation

The base salary range for this role is expected to be $190,000 – $260,000. The starting salary will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and market location, with consideration for market alignment and internal equity. In addition to base salary, our total rewards package includes equity and a comprehensive benefits program, based on eligibility.

Benefits

• Health insurance, fully covered: Harbor pays 100% of premiums for you and your family.

• Your choice of carrier: Choose from national carriers such as Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare, with plans that vary by deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, network and coverage level. Availability varies by state.

• Big-company plan options: We offer insurance through a Professional Employer Organization (PEO), which gives our growing team access to the range of plans usually found at much larger employers.

• Unlimited PTO: We trust you to know when you need to rest and recharge. Plan time off with your manager around the needs of your team.

Harbor Compute is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome people of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected status. If you need an accommodation at any point in the hiring process, let us know.