# Data Center Controls Engineer (BMS / EPMS)

**Company**: OpenAI
**Location**: San Francisco, California
**Experience**: entry
**Job type**: full-time
**Salary**: $177K - $285K
**Category**: Engineering
**Industry**: Technology
**Wikidata**: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124605186

**Apply**: https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/openai/a46ffc60-39c6-4b1e-bd0f-9c33a8b06703?utm_source=yubhub.co&utm_medium=jobs_feed&utm_campaign=apply
**Canonical**: https://yubhub.co/jobs/job_d4716418-8fd

## Description

OpenAI is building the infrastructure foundation for the next generation of AI.

As a Data Center Controls Engineer, you will program, configure, integrate, and commission the controls systems that support high-density AI data centers.

Key Responsibilities:

- Program and configure PLCs and control systems for mechanical/BMS or electrical/EPMS applications in AI data center campuses.

- Implement and test sequences of operation, control logic, alarms, and interlocks against approved functional requirements.

- Review and maintain controls documentation, including control diagrams, I/O and point lists, instrumentation details, sequences of operation, and commissioning records.

- Integrate field devices, sensors, instrumentation, equipment controllers, and supervisory systems; validate point mapping, communications, and data quality.

- Maintain control programs, configuration backups, version history, change records, and rollback procedures to support safe commissioning and operations.

- Partner with mechanical, electrical, IT/networking, cybersecurity, and operations teams to resolve integration issues and implement approved OT connectivity and security requirements.

- Configure and troubleshoot relevant industrial communications, such as BACnet/IP, BACnet MS/TP, Modbus TCP/RTU, OPC UA, or IEC 61850, according to the system and controls discipline.

- Work directly with controls integrators, equipment vendors, contractors, and commissioning teams to resolve programming, installation, and functional performance issues.

- Execute and document factory and site acceptance testing, point-to-point checks, sequence verification, and integrated systems testing; troubleshoot control logic, instrumentation, alarms, and device communication failures.

Qualifications:

- Practical hands-on experience programming, configuring, integrating, or commissioning control systems in data centers, industrial automation, buildings, or other critical infrastructure environments.

- Working knowledge of PLC programming and control logic, with the ability to implement and troubleshoot sequences of operation.

- Experience in either BMS/mechanical controls or EPMS/electrical controls, with an understanding of the equipment and operating sequences in that discipline.

- Experience configuring field devices and instrumentation, validating I/O and point mapping, and diagnosing control system behavior.

- Working knowledge of relevant industrial communication protocols and basic OT networking needed to connect and troubleshoot control systems.

- Ability to read control diagrams, equipment documentation, I/O lists, and functional specifications, and keep implementation records accurate.

- Hands-on experience with functional testing, commissioning, and systematic troubleshooting using trends, alarms, logs, and field observations.

- Ability to work closely with integrators, vendors, construction teams, and operations, communicate issues clearly, and follow safe work and change-control practices.

- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Controls or Automation Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.

Preferred Skills:

- Experience at a controls systems integrator, with regular responsibility for programming, configuration, field integration, and commissioning.

- Experience delivering BMS/mechanical or EPMS/electrical controls for data centers or other mission-critical facilities.

- Familiarity with supervisory controls, HMI/SCADA configuration, telemetry, and historian integrations.

- Familiarity with OT cybersecurity practices and working with networking or security specialists to implement approved access and connectivity requirements.

- Experience with scripting, APIs, or automation tools that improve controls testing, integration, documentation, or troubleshooting.

Work Environment and Travel:

- This role requires periodic travel to data center campuses, vendors, labs, construction sites, commissioning activities, and controls/network cutovers.

- The engineer should be comfortable working across office, lab, construction, and live data center environments, including PPE, lockout/tagout, cyber hygiene, and change-control requirements.

- Work may include time-sensitive support during commissioning, startup, vendor testing, cutovers, network changes, telemetry issues, automation failures, and operational events.

Travel: 50%

## Skills

### Required
- PLC programming
- control logic
- BMS/mechanical controls
- EPMS/electrical controls
- industrial communication protocols
- OT networking

### Nice to have
- controls systems integrator
- supervisory controls
- HMI/SCADA configuration
- OT cybersecurity practices
- scripting
- APIs
- automation tools

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Source: [Apply at jobs.ashbyhq.com](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/openai/a46ffc60-39c6-4b1e-bd0f-9c33a8b06703?utm_source=yubhub.co&utm_medium=jobs_feed&utm_campaign=apply)