["Manager, Controls Engineering","Manager, Controls Engineering"]

Manager, Controls Engineering

Location: Redmond, Oregon

Compensation: $110,000–$135,000 DOE + 15% Annual Incentive Plan + 20% Long-Term Incentive Plan

Employment Type: Full-time

Travel: Approximately 20% annually, primarily within the continental U.S.

Aboutthe Company

HireIQ Solutions is leading the search for a Controls Engineer with a U.S. manufacturer of engineered-to-order HVAC equipment serving mission-critical environments, including data centers, cleanrooms, and other highly technical applications.

The company designs, manufactures, tests, and commissions custom HVAC systems where controls are central to equipment performance. This is not a traditional building automation role, and it is not a pure PLC programming role. The right candidate will bring a strong combination of HVAC equipment knowledge, controls programming capability, troubleshooting ability, and practical field-support experience.

About the Role

The Controls Engineer will play a critical role in developing PLC/DDC-based controls programs for custom HVAC production orders, supporting equipment commissioning and testing, and troubleshooting controls issues on equipment that has been installed in the field. This role requires someone who can do more than write code. The ideal candidate will understand how HVAC equipment operates, how systems should perform under different operating conditions, and how to translate that knowledge into control strategies, sequences of operation, and real-world troubleshooting support. The person in this role will work closely with sales engineers, applications engineers, field service technicians, manufacturing teams, and customers to ensure equipment performs as designed.

Key Responsibilities

In-House Engineering & Support

• Develop, modify, and troubleshoot PLC/DDC-based controls programs for custom HVAC equipment
• Work with sales engineers and applications teams to design low-voltage DDC/PLC control systems for customer-specific HVAC equipment
• Create and review P&IDs, points lists, control diagrams, sequence of operation documents, and related controls documentation
• Remotely diagnose controls and programming issues in partnership with field service technicians
• Participate in an after-hours remote support rotation
• Assist with commissioning, functional testing, and troubleshooting of equipment on the manufacturing floor
• Support R&D projects, prototype testing, and system validation efforts
• Provide final project documentation, including as-builts, installation/operation/maintenance manuals, system parameters, and related technical materials
• Field Equipment Support
• • Travel to customer sites as needed to diagnose programming, controls, and system performance issues
  • Partner with field service technicians and customers to troubleshoot equipment in real-world operating environments
  • Read and interpret electrical schematics for troubleshooting low-voltage and three-phase systems
  • Communicate clearly with customers, technicians, engineers, and internal stakeholders through phone, email, and written reports
  • Document work performed, findings, recommendations, and follow-up action plans

Ideal Background

Experience programming, commissioning, and troubleshooting PLC- or DDC-based controls systems

Strong understanding of HVAC equipment operation, not just controls architecture

Ability to develop control strategies and sequences of operation for custom HVAC systems

Hands-on knowledge of mechanical systems, HVAC systems, and building automation concepts

Experience working with custom or engineered-to-order equipment is highly relevant

Familiarity with manufacturing, factory testing, commissioning, or field service environments is preferred

Relevant Technical Experience

PLC programming experience using ladder logic, function block, structured text, or similar programming languages

Experience with DDC/PLC platforms such as Carel, Automated Logic, Distech, Johnson Controls, Trane, Alerton, Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Beckhoff, or similar systems

Knowledge of air-cooled and water-cooled chillers, air handling equipment, hydronic systems, boiler systems, and refrigerant-based controls

Experience with VFDs, ECM motors, fan control, and related components, including systems such as Ziehl-Abegg, ebm-papst, or similar technologies

Ability to specify and troubleshoot control components such as sensors, valves, actuators, power monitoring devices, and related field devices

Working knowledge of communication protocols, including MODBUS RTU/TCP, BACnet MSTP/IP, and Ethernet networking

Ability to read, interpret, and troubleshoot low-voltage and three-phase electrical systems

Experience with AutoCAD or similar design/documentation platforms is preferred

Technical Writing & Documentation

Develop sequences of operation that clearly define how HVAC equipment should operate

Prepare user manuals, O&M manuals, commissioning documentation, and test procedures

Document controls logic, system parameters, field findings, and corrective action plans

Translate complex controls and HVAC concepts into clear written documentation for internal and external stakeholders

Qualifications

Two or more years of relevant controls, HVAC, automation, commissioning, or field troubleshooting experience preferred

Combination of education and relevant hands-on experience will be considered

Working knowledge of HVAC system concepts, equipment, and terminology

Programming experience in at least one DDC, PLC, or controls programming environment

Training will be provided on company-specific product lines and controls platforms

Key Attributes

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Effective written and verbal communication

Ability to work directly with customers, technicians, engineers, and manufacturing teams

Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities

Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment

Team-oriented, practical, and hands-on approach to solving technical problems

Ability to connect controls programming decisions to actual HVAC equipment performance

Physical Requirements

Ability to lift up to 50 pounds as needed

Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of the workday

Periodic visits to manufacturing areas with seasonal temperature variation, dust, and limited chemical fume exposure

Benefits

The company offers a competitive benefits package for full-time team members, including:

• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Healthcare insurance and Health Savings Account options
• Profit sharing or annual incentive plan bonus
• Premium 401(k) plan

Why Join

This is a high-impact controls role supporting complex, custom HVAC equipment in demanding environments. The company is specifically seeking someone who can bridge the gap between programming and HVAC application knowledge.

A strong candidate will be able to write and troubleshoot controls code, but also understand the operating logic behind the equipment: how chillers, air handlers, hydronic systems, motors, fans, valves, sensors, and field devices work together to deliver performance. That combination of controls capability and HVAC system understanding is central to success in this position.