Automation, Business Development, Change Management, Change Requests/Orders, Communication Skills, Cost Estimates, Customer Relations, Customer/Client Research, Detail Oriented, Electrical Engineering, Electricity, Facilities Engineering, Follow Through, Human Machine Interface (HMI), Inside Sales, Interpersonal Skills, Manufacturing, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Network Operations Center, Organizational Skills, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Pricing, Problem Solving Skills, Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), Project Engineering, Project Estimates, Project/Program Management, Requirements Management, Sales Support, Sales/Support Engineering (SE), Software Engineering, Statement of Work (SOW), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Talent Management, Team Player, Technical Leadership
LOCATION
Phoenix, AZ
POSTED
18 days ago
Application Engineer - Data Center Controls & SCADA
Who We Are
At Vertech, we design and deliver world-class industrial automation and controls solutions for some of the most demanding environments in the world. From traditional manufacturing to mission‑critical infrastructure like Data Centers, our team thrives on solving complex problems, turning ambiguity into clarity, and delivering systems our clients can depend on.
We're control freaks, in the best possible way. That passion shows up in our work, our culture, and our commitment to developing exceptional talent.
Position Summary
The Application Engineer - Data Center Controls & SCADA is a customer‑facing technical role responsible for developing project scope, estimates, and proposals for controls and SCADA systems within the Data Center end market. This role bridges the gap between business development and detailed estimating-owning technical discovery, translating loosely defined requirements into firm specifications, and producing accurate, professional proposals.
This position requires strong technical fundamentals, the ability to interpret drawings and diagrams, and exceptional communication skills to collaborate directly with customers in fast‑paced and loosely structured environments.
What You Will Be Doing
Customer & Technical Interface
Interface directly with Data Center clients to evaluate system requirements for controls and SCADA solutions
Lead technical discovery conversations to clarify customer objectives, constraints, and operating requirements
Translate verbal, conceptual, or incomplete customer requirements into clearly defined technical scope
Serve as a technical liaison between customers, sales, and internal engineering teams
Scope Development & Estimating
Read and interpret:
Floor layout drawings
Single-line electrical diagrams
P&ID diagrams
Convert drawings, diagrams, and customer inputs into:
Clearly defined Scope of Work (SOW)
Technical narratives
RFP and proposal language
Create cost estimates including:
Engineering labor
Field labor (as applicable)
Hardware and material bills of material (BOM)
Validate assumptions and document exclusions, constraints, and risks
Proposal & Commercial Support
Develop formal, professional proposals aligned with Vertech's brand standards
Work closely with Business Development and Estimating teams to support opportunity strategy
Ensure proposals accurately reflect technical scope, pricing, and customer expectations
Change Management
Manage customer‑initiated scope changes during pursuit and pre‑award phases
Evaluate change requests against original scope and assumptions
Develop and present change order proposals to capture additional costs and effort
Execution Support
Support project handoff to engineering and project management teams
Clarify scope intent and assumptions to ensure successful execution
Core Competencies
Reading floor layout and facility drawings
Reading single-line electrical diagrams
Reading and interpreting P&ID diagrams
Converting drawings and diagrams into actionable scope of work
Translating vague or high‑level requirements into firm technical specifications
Clear, professional written and verbal communication
Customer engagement and expectation management
Experience & Capabilities
2-5 years of experience in technical and customer‑facing roles within:
Construction
Electrical systems
Controls or automation
Engineering services
Strong foundational knowledge of:
Electrical systems
Mechanical systems
Industrial controls and automation
Facility or infrastructure engineering (Data Center experience preferred)
Ability to work effectively in fast‑paced, loosely structured environments
Strong understanding of estimating fundamentals, labor costs, and material pricing
Education
2‑year technical degree or technical school training in:
Electrical systems
Mechanical systems
Controls or automation
OR
Equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience
Skills & Attributes
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate confidently with customers and internal teams
Highly organized with strong attention to detail
Highly responsive and focused on timeliness and follow‑through
Comfortable managing ambiguity and incomplete information
Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Preferred (Not Required)
Exposure to Data Center infrastructure, mission‑critical facilities, or regulated environments
Familiarity with PLC, HMI, and SCADA platforms
Experience supporting sales pursuits or pre‑sales engineering activities