Controls Engineer Lead

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Job Summary

As a Principal Controls Engineer, you will play a critical role in ensuring operational continuity and excellence in Equinix's data center facilities. This role serves as the global subject matter expert in controls engineering for project support, providing insights to internal and external teams for CapEx projects within IBX Operations. This position focuses on validating project compliance with global standards, resolving engineering challenges, and providing expert guidance on control systems to enhance reliability, efficiency, and safety across critical facilities worldwide for projects within operational data centers and support for new construction.

Responsibilities

Global Project Support

• Foster proactive engagement with regional operations to support critical facilities engineering projects across IBX Operations

• Lead and execute global initiatives to maximize reliability, improve cost performance, enhance sustainability, and optimize operating models

• Drive the implementation of operating policies, procedures, and best practices through project reviews. Ensuring adherence to standards through documentation reviews and commissioning activities

• Develop and oversee training programs for critical facilities engineers and managers, ensuring they have the knowledge and skills to manage controls systems effectively. Support controls training programs, ensuring engineers are equipped with essential skills. Participate in global communication and knowledge-sharing among operations teams to drive continual improvement in operating practices and lessons learned

Problem Solving & Project Leadership

• Develop comprehensive sequences of operation for critical data center cooling systems

• Lead cross-functional issue resolution with minimal guidance

• Collaborate with vendors to resolve product issues impacting Equinix operations

• Test and approve component suitability across multiple sites

• Facilitate high-level communications with executive stakeholders and customers, managing post-incident communications, as required

Technical Expertise and Collaboration

• Provide expert guidance and decision-making within the Global Operations Excellence organization and collaborate with other relevant groups on controls systems and issues

• Mentor junior team members and direct internal and external project teams

• Cultivate strong, high-value relationships with contractors, suppliers, and clients: stay abreast of industry trends and collaborate with external data center industry consortiums to identify and implement new best practices for enhancing operating performance

• Represent Equinix by participating in and presenting at industry conferences, boards, and consortiums

• Assist in maintaining a global standard library for PLC programming

• Provide guidance and support for controls systems cybersecurity questions

• Develop and deliver comprehensive training programs on controls engineering and global project support

Qualifications

• In-depth experience in controls engineering with expertise in design, operations, maintenance, and project management within data center or mission-critical environments

• Proficiency with PLC platforms (e.g., ABB, Siemens, Allen Bradley, Schneider Modicon) and software platforms (e.g., ABB, AVEVA System Platform, FactoryTalk, Ignition)

• Strong background in critical facilities engineering and safety practices, ideally in a data center environment

• Technical skills in power and cooling systems, life safety, and environmental compliance

• Ability to work autonomously, solve complex problems, and manage multiple time zones

• Willingness to travel as needed and participate in on-call rotations.

Equinix is committed to ensuring that our employment process is open to all individuals, including those with a disability. If you are a qualified candidate and need assistance or an accommodation, please let us know by completing this form.

Equinix is an Equal Employment Opportunity and, in the U.S., an Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to unlawful consideration of race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, place of birth, citizenship, sex, pregnancy / childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic partnership status, age, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, political / organizational affiliation, status as a victim or family member of a victim of crime or abuse, or any other status protected by applicable law.