Senior Controls Engineer

Senior Controls Engineer

• 557899
• New York
• Facilities Operations
• Full Time
• Opening on: Jun 25 2026
• Grade 14

Add to favorites View favorites

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $145,000 - $155,000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University''s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Engineering, the Senior Controls Engineer will be responsible for the engineering and implementation of all controls and BMS projects on campus. This includes project management & engineering; management of the design and construction process; management of consulting engineers and contractors; ongoing project review for compliance with University criteria for design, performance, constructability, maintainability and compatibility with existing systems; field inspection during construction and before turnover to ensure compliance with design; preparation of bid documents for consulting services and project construction; development of project budgets; and project administration.

Specific job requirements include Developing PLC/logic, HMI/SCADA interfaces, and automation workflows and sequences, using Siemens, Schneider, ALC, Allen-Bradley, and other interfaces.

The senior controls engineer will be also responsible for review of all capital projects and renovations and will work closely with research staff and facilities and operations to assess experimental requirements and translate them into robust control solutions. They will act as the controls lead on all capital projects, lab built outs, renovations and equipment installations.

The senior controls engineer will be responsible, with the director of SOGR, for developing a long term capital plan for BMS upgrades, server migrations, and strategic system improvements.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for project management & controls engineering strategy and oversight on all projects in the SOGR portfolio, as well as select capital projects
• Provide oversight and final sign off for all controls related infrastructure related to new labs and existing lab upgrades
• Design, program and deploy control systems for complex research instrumentation, environmental chambers, test stands, and building HVAC systems. Develop PLC logic, HMI/SCADA interfaces, and automation workflows and sequences using Siemens, Schneider, Allen-Bradley, ALC, and other platforms as required. Model system dynamics, optimize control loops, and validate performances for precision research applications
• Lead diagnostics and root-cause analyses for control system failures in existing laboratories and research infrastructure. Support maintenance, calibration, and upgrades of high-value instrumentation and building automation systems
• Integrate new and legacy equipment across multi-disciplinary research groups. Prepare and maintain control schematics, panel layouts/drawings, P&ID''s, wiring diagrams, and O&Ms. Specify sensors, actuators, data acquisition systems, and industrial network equipment suitable for lab environments
• Provide strategic support for multi-year capital plan related to controls/BMS upgrades campus wide. Modify the existing CU standards for division 23, instrumentation and controls to keep up to date with industry best practices

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor''s degree
• Minimum 5-7 years of related experience
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor''s degree in Engineering with 5-7 years of experience in the design and operation of building automation systems and experience working in laboratory and critical environments
• Advanced degree desirable
• Well-rounded, flexible engineer with a facilities operational background
• Ability to handle a variety of assignments including project management and engineering, troubleshooting, and operational support
• Proven ability to manage projects from conception through design, commissioning and close out
• Ability to contribute immediately with minimal orientation

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.