Control Subject Matter Expert (SME) - Data Centers

The Controls Subject Matter Expert (SME) serves as the technical authority for building controls, automation systems, and monitoring platforms within our hyperscale data center environments. This role is responsible for the reliability, performance, and integrity of the Building Management System (BMS) and associated controls infrastructure across the site and broader fleet. The SME acts as both a hands-on controls expert and strategic advisor, supporting realtime operations while influencing controls architecture, integration standards, and global automation strategies.

Technical Ownership & Operations

• Serve as the onsite technical authority for controls systems, including BMS, EPMS, SCADA, ALC, and PLC-based platforms
• Maintain accountability for all BMS changes, enhancements, and system integrity across the data center
• Diagnose and repair complex control system issues, including hardware and software faults
• Troubleshoot and maintain controllers, relays, sensors, actuators, and associated mechanical and electrical interfaces
• Monitor system performance and analyze operational data to identify efficiency improvements and abnormal trends

Procedures, Safety & Reliability

• Develop, review, and approve SOPs, MOPs, and EOPs related to controls systems
• Ensure all control sequences support safe operations, redundancy, and risk mitigation
• Support incident response and root cause analysis (RCA) for controls-related failures
• Enforce change management and configuration control processes for all system modifications

Design, Integration & Commissioning

• Provide oversight from basis of design (BOD) through commissioning and operations
• Review and approve controls architectures, network designs, sequences of operation, points lists, and programming logic
• Support integration between BMS, EPMS, SCADA, and integration systems
• Provide QA/QC oversight of controls scope, including programming, installation, and commissioning
• Participate in commissioning, testing, and factory witness activities
• Validate system performance for failover, redundancy, and alarm management Program & Stakeholder Leadership
• Collaborate across mechanical, electrical, IT/network, and operations teams
• Interface with controls vendors, system integrators, OEMs, and contractors
• Manage vendor performance and oversee system upgrades and retrofits
• Communicate system issues, risks, and upcoming work with site leadership
• Train and mentor engineers and technicians on controls systems, programming, and procedures

Continuous Improvement & Strategy

• Collaborate with global teams to standardize controls strategies and architectures across the fleet
• Drive improvements in automation, system visibility, and operational efficiency
• Optimize control sequences to improve energy performance and system stability
• Support development of scalable, repeatable hyperscale control system designs

Minimum Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in controls, automation, or building systems engineering
• Experience in programming, startup, and commissioning of complex systems (central plants, AHUs, evaporative cooling, etc.)
•  Bachelor’s degree or trade certification in a related field (or equivalent experience)
• Strong expertise in:
  • BMS systems
  • ALC/SCADA systems
• Controls programming and system integration
• Working knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and life safety systems in critical environments
• Ability to interpret:
  • P&IDs
  • Sequences of operation
  • Controls diagrams and construction documents

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in hyperscale or colocation data centers
• PLC programming expertise and multi-platform controls experience
• Experience with programming/scripting languages (Python, SQL, etc.)
• Knowledge of networking and cybersecurity principles
• Experience with integration platforms and analytics tools
• OEM, field service, or system integrator background
• IT/networking certifications

Key Competencies

• Deep expertise in controls systems, programming, and system integration
• Strong troubleshooting capability in live, mission-critical environments
• Ability to operate across operations, construction, and design phases
• Strong cross-functional communication across engineering, IT, and operations
• High attention to detail in system sequencing, risk mitigation, and uptime assurance

Travel Requirements

• Initial onboarding may require additional travel about 30-40% of the time (1–3 months) 
• Ongoing travel approximately 10–15%, including factory witness testing, site support, and collaboration

#RelatedDigital #LI-RB1 #Onsite

Related Digital is a leading vertically integrated data center development and investment platform. We deliver digital infrastructure solutions to hyperscale technology companies so they can accelerate artificial intelligence and cloud computing ambitions.

Founded by Related Companies, one of the most prominent, privately-owned real estate development firms in the United States, Related Digital uniquely combines Related’s 50-year+ history of executing complex real estate and infrastructure projects with its track record in real estate investing and clean energy solutions. With a multi-billion-dollar, near-term development pipeline in the U.S., Related Digital has the expert capabilities, depth of expertise and national scale to help hyperscale companies significantly grow their data center capacity on a rapid timeframe. 

Strategic Advantage:
Related Digital harnesses expertise across real estate development and investment, data center development, complex infrastructure construction and clean energy development to bring differentiated solutions to hyperscale technology companies.

­National Footprint:

Related Digital is based in New York and Dallas with operations across the United States. Related Companies has offices in gateway cities across the U.S. and London, and developments in 28 states and the District of Columbia, and boasts 4,000 employees.

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