Who We Are:
Thermo Systems is a global, full-service control systems integration partner delivering world-class automation in Mission Critical, District Energy, and Life Sciences. Our culture—The Thermo Way—centers on connection, adaptability, integrity, and winning together. It guides how we show up for each other and for our customers as we continue building a truly world-class organization.
Job Summary:
Join our remote design team building PLC control strategies for hyperscale datacenter BMS. Reporting to the Lead Controls/PLC Engineer, you’ll design, program, and standardize PLC applications on Rockwell and Schneider platforms across white space and central plant systems (CRAH/CRAC, AHU, chillers/towers, pumps/VFDs, heat reclaim, humidification, water treatment). You’ll produce design documents (URS/FRS/DDS), develop reusable UDTs/AOIs/DFBs, create simulation/FAT test harnesses, and collaborate daily with SCADA, networking, commissioning, and GC/MEP partners—meeting performance, resiliency (N+1/2N), and QMS targets on schedule and budget.
Education and Experience:
- B.S. in EE/ME/CE/CS or equivalent hands-on experience.
- 5+ years in controls/PLC programming (mission-critical or process/industrial); 7+ preferred.
- Delivered multiple projects using Rockwell ControlLogix/CompactLogix (Studio 5000) and/or Schneider Modicon M340/M580 (EcoStruxure™ Control Expert/Unity Pro).
Duties and Responsibilities:
Technical Responsibilities:
Technical (PLC-Focused)
- Program & Architect PLC Applications:
- Rockwell: Studio 5000 (Ladder, Structured Text, Function Block), AOIs, UDTs, Produced/Consumed tags, PlantPAx object library familiarity, Fault/Alarm routines, sequencing, interlocks.
- Schneider: EcoStruxure Control Expert/Unity (ST/FBD/LD), DFBs, Derived Data Types, task scheduling, diagnostics, alarm/state handling.
- Standards & Reuse: Implement and evolve program-level standards: naming, UDT libraries, AOI/DFB catalogs, alarm philosophy, state machines, and checkout templates.
- Integration & Comms: EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, OPC UA, BACnet gateways, MQTT/Sparkplug B, SNMP; interface cleanly with SCADA (Ignition/AVEVA/FactoryTalk View) and plant equipment.
- Testing & Quality: Create bench simulations, emulate I/O, write FAT/SAT scripts, and execute structured tests; enforce Thermo’s QMS, peer/code reviews, and change control (AssetCentre/AutoSave or equivalent).
- Performance & Reliability: Deterministic scan performance, fault handling, watchdogs, bumpless transfer, redundancy strategies, and graceful degradation.
- Documentation: URS/FRS/DDS, cause-and-effect, P&ID markups, I/O lists, network drawings, and turnover packages.
- Commissioning Support: Provide remote L1–L3 support; assist L4/L5/IST as needed in coordination with site teams.
Customer & Project:
- Communicate proactively and professionally; follow site standards; honor commitments and follow up.
- Deliver scopes accurately, on schedule, and under budget; maintain estimates/forecasts.
- Flag scope changes/risks early; support mitigations and change-order development.
- Coordinate interfaces with SCADA, EPMS, networking, commissioning agent, and TAB team
Supervisory:
- No direct reports. May mentor junior engineers/designers and review deliverables at the Lead’s direction.
- Experienced with Human-Machine Interface (HMI) and Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) applications.
- Expert in understanding, practicing, and guiding others in the company’s Quality Management System (QMS).
- Firm understanding of complex control system design.
- Able to independently design complex control systems.
- Provide instrumentation specifications for complex control systems.
- Value engineer specifications to provide the most cost-effective solutions.
- Leads detailed design of Information Technology (IT) systems, network infrastructure, and computer system designs, as it relates to control system integration.
- Able to independently design distributed HMI systems.
Customer Service:
Project Responsibilities:
Deliver designs accurately, on schedule, and under budget; maintain estimates/forecasts.
- Lead small–mid BMS design scopes and critical tasks on larger programs; act as primary technical contact when leading.
- Identify scope changes/risks early and drive mitigations and change orders.
- Complete assigned tasks accurately, on schedule, and under budget.
- Coordinate interfaces with PLC, EPMS, networking, commissioning agent, and TAB teams; maintain realistic plans and risk registers.
- Lead individual project related tasks and/or small to mid-sized projects in their entirety.
- Assume the ultimate responsibility for the successful completion of those projects or tasks on schedule and under budget.
- Take on the role of the customer’s main contact on those projects that the employee is assigned to lead.
- Identify changes u scope to overall projects and/or tasks.
- Provide support on other projects or tasks that are scheduled to be led by others.
- Manage and delegate assigned tasks accurately, on schedule, and under budget.
- Understands and anticipates customer needs.
- Accurately estimates the duration and difficulty of tasks.
- Ensures the team adheres to a realistic schedule and budget.
- Ability to identify and manage risks.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
-
Where applicable, directs and oversees junior or subordinate staff members regarding construction, operations, and/or maintenance tasks and assignments at a project site.
Required Skills and Abilities:
- Rockwell: Studio 5000 Logix Designer (L5x), ControlLogix/CompactLogix, PlantPAx familiarity, FactoryTalk Linx; strong LD/ST/FBD; AOI/UDT design.
- Schneider: Modicon M340/M580, EcoStruxure™ Control Expert/Unity; strong ST/FBD/LD; DFB and data model design.
- Strong understanding of P&IDs, wiring, sequences of operation, and safe-state design.
- Networking/cyber basics: VLANs, firewalls, certificates, Windows/Linux servers, virtualization.
- SQL fundamentals and data structuring for SCADA/historian interfaces.
- Quality mindset; clear communicator; adaptable team player.
- Inductive Automation Ignition — Gold Certification or ability to gain within 3 months (required)
- Expert across Ignition modules (Perspective/Vision, EAM, Tag Historian, Alarm, Reporting; SFC/Sepasoft a plus).
- Strong Python/Jython and SQL; comfortable with queries, procedures, and report datasets.
- Solid controls foundation: P&IDs, wiring, sequences of operation, PLC/HMI interaction.
- Networking/cyber basics: VLANs, firewalls, certificates, Windows/Linux servers, virtualization.
- Quality mindset: rigorous documentation, gated reviews, and design validation.
- Composed under pressure; adaptable, collaborative, and clear communicator; effective mentor.
In addition to Control Systems Project Engineer II skills and abilities:
- Monitors progress and results of work.
- Adapts to changing demands of customers.
- Shows willingness to take on challenges.
- Exhibits composure during tense situations.
- Leverages emotions to build meaningful relationships.
- Committed to further developing technical and leadership skills.
Nice to Have: Rockwell/Schneider certifications; experience with PlantPAx libraries or Schneider application function blocks; ISA-88/ISA-95; GAMP/CSV; BACnet familiarity; KPI/analytics exposure for data halls and plants.
Travel required:
-
Remote (U.S.) with periodic workshops, FAT/SAT, reviews, or site/IST support: up to ~20% based on program needs.
On Call:
Work Authorization/Other Requirements:
- Proof of eligibility to work in the country where the position is located is required.
- Maintain a valid driver's license.
- Fit for Duty at all times
Culture:
- Model Thermo Systems core values of employee success, customer success and financial strength by:
- Seeking new and additional business through project change orders, additional services to existing customers, and referrals for new customers/projects. Drive financial success.
- Be a good teammate, support your colleagues, promote a positive atmosphere for those around you. Drive employee success.
- Go the extra mile for your customer, take ownership of their needs, over communicate. Drive customer success.
- Foster an environment of integrity, trust, collaboration, professionalism, serving one another, leading by example, and assuming good intent each and every day.
What You'll Get:
- Competitive salary, annual bonuses, 401(k) with company match, and business travel reimbursement: We appreciate our employees, and we make sure they know it.
- Benefits: We offer full-time employees multiple healthcare packages, including low-cost options.
- Casual Dress: Every day is "Casual Friday"; we want you to be comfortable when you come to work.
- Training: We offer in-house and factory technical training to keep our staff sharp.
- Tuition Reimbursement: We encourage academic advancement and professional credentialing.
- Vacation/Sick Time: We believe work-life balance is essential. Ensuring our employees have time to truly relax and recharge is important to us.
- Culture & Extras: We provide free lunches, regular team bonding & fun office events, and plenty of company swag.
Visit us at www.thermosystems.com to learn more!
Thermo Systems provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.
Salary Range: $90,000.00 - $125,000.00/annually