Lead Reliability Engineer, BMS & Controls

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Role Summary: Unlike traditional operational support roles focused on day-to-day alarm management, the Lead Engineer for BMS/Controls serves as the ultimate technical authority for controls logic, Sequence of Operations (SOO), and enterprise telemetry across Aligned's fleet. Acting as the strategic bridge between Site Operations and Platform Delivery, this role utilizes advanced data forensics to identify systemic automation blindspots and issues binding control logic mandates to prevent recurring failures and eliminate enterprise SLA risk.

Core Responsibilities:

• Advanced Forensic Data Analysis (RCA Governance): Extract and synthesize complex Building Management System (BMS) and Electrical Power Monitoring System (EPMS) trend data during high-severity incidents. Identify latent automation failures, false sensor readings, and PID loop tuning issues that contribute to physical infrastructure degradation.
• Engineering Design Mandates & SOO Optimization: Review drawings, contract documents, and customer requirements to audit proposed controls logic and Sequence of Operations for new capital projects. Issue binding Engineering Change Orders to correct architectural blindspots prior to site deployment.
• Proactive Telemetry Auditing: Conduct programmatic audits of active facility control systems. Monitor adherence to approved standards, ensure sites are not operating in prolonged manual overrides, mitigate alarm fatigue, and verify that all telemetry aligns strictly with fleet-wide reliability requirements.
• Innovation & Digital Validation (HFSS Integration): Partner with the Advanced Cooling Lab to validate new control sequences in a virtual environment. Assist in feeding real-world telemetry data into the High-Fidelity System Simulator to stress-test control reactions to simulated thermal transients and complex evolutions.
• Executive Advisement & Incident Response: Translate highly technical controls data into clear, executive-level incident summaries. Provide emergency, Tier-3 technical escalation support to triage and recover critical equipment during complex automation failures.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience: 8+ years of Operational experience in data centers (or Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent training/experience + 5+ years of critical facility exposure).
• Technical Expertise: Subject Matter Expert (SME) designation in BMS/controls equipment and systems. Expert-level knowledge of PLC/DDC logic, industrial communication protocols, and the tuning of complex systems for massive-scale chiller plants. Additional consideration is given to experience in PLC, Delta, or ALC logic.
• Analytical Acumen: Proven ability to analyze critical infrastructure sequence of operations, design parameters, alarms and indicators, and performance trends to reverse-engineer cascading failures.
• Strategic Leadership: Expertise to create standards and programs required to ensure "best in breed" data center operations, combined with the ability to communicate complex technical topics to work groups of varying technical experience and senior leadership.

BENEFITS & PERKS:

Aligned Data Centers is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to support the health, well-being, and financial security of our team members. Eligible employees have access to:

• Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts:  HSA with employer contribution for eligible participants.  FSA's offered for health and dependent care to increase tax savings.
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with company match
• Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay
• Company-Sponsored Insurance: Short-Term Disability, Life Insurance, and Long-Term Disability (with medical election)
• Optional Benefits: Voluntary life, critical illness, legal, and additional disability coverage
• Wellness Programs: Employee assistance program (EAP), Wellhub gym membership, and other wellness initiatives

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job.  It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

At Aligned, we are committed to transparency and fostering a positive employee experience from your very first interaction with us. In compliance with Illinois pay disclosure requirements, when you join Aligned, you’ll have access to the following benefits: medical, dental, vision, short and long disability, life insurance and other voluntary benefits, 401k with employer match, bonus opportunities, paid time off, wellness benefits and professional development opportunities, all designed to support your well-being and career growth. We want you to have a clear understanding of what we offer, so you can make informed decisions about your future with us.

Aligned is equally committed to fostering an inclusive workplace and providing equal employment opportunities for all employees. We ensure that all applicants and team members are considered for employment, advancement, and all other employment-related matters without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of your job due to a disability or medical condition, please contact our People & Culture team. Accommodation requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable laws. Aligned will make reasonable accommodations where necessary to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their role.