Controls Engineer
San Francisco Bay Area | Approximately 33% travel
About the Company
We are a San Francisco-based innovator in sustainable, high-performance LED lighting solutions for data centers, commercial interiors, education, healthcare, and other demanding environments. We design ultra-efficient luminaires, Remote Driver Units (RDUs), and Distributed Low-Voltage Power (DLVP) systems that simplify installation and maintenance, improve energy performance, and support long-term reliability. Our team partners with engineers, contractors, and facility operators to solve complex lighting challenges in mission-critical spaces.
Position Overview
The Controls Engineer designs, specifies, documents, and supports integrated lighting control solutions for company fixtures and power platforms. This highly collaborative position connects the PM&I (Project Management & Integration) function with Product and Engineering, and combines technical product integration, controls submittals, and field support. The successful candidate brings practical lighting controls expertise, strong electrical systems knowledge, and a proactive, customer-focused approach.
Role Focus
- Approximately one-third product integration and cross-functional coordination with Product and Engineering.
- Approximately one-third controls submittals, drawings, specifications, and related documentation.
- Approximately one-third travel and field-facing project support as the controls group grows; travel is estimated at 33% of the role.
Key Responsibilities
- Design lighting controls strategies, including sensor placement, zoning, dimming, sequences of operation, and emergency overrides, for RDU/DLVP, Class 2, integral-driver, and PoE applications.
- Review electrical, architectural, and lighting plans; produce control intent documents, wiring/riser and one-line diagrams, bill-of-materials recommendations, submittals, and shop drawing reviews.
- Specify and assess compatibility of sensors, wall stations, controllers, gateways, and emergency interfaces across 0–10V, DALI/DALI-2, DMX, BACnet, and applicable networked or wireless systems.
- Support code-compliant solutions aligned with Title 24, ASHRAE 90.1, IECC, UL 924, and relevant electrical and safety standards.
- Partner with PM&I, Product, Engineering, Operations, Sales, specifying engineers, and contractors to resolve integration questions, support projects, and improve product capabilities.
- Support remote and on-site commissioning, programming, troubleshooting, and training; investigate dimming, communications, sensor, and emergency-lighting issues.
- Develop standard controls packages, technical guidance, sequence-of-operation templates, and training materials; capture field learnings to improve products and processes.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Lighting Technology, Architectural Engineering, or related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
- At least 3 years of hands-on commercial lighting controls experience in design, specification, programming, integration, or commissioning.
- Strong understanding of electrical drawings, wiring, control panels, power distribution, zoning, and emergency/normal power configurations.
- Practical knowledge of 0–10V dimming, occupancy and daylight controls, energy codes, and lighting control sequences; familiarity with DALI/DALI-2, BACnet, and networking concepts.
- Ability to interpret construction documents and create or review accurate technical diagrams, specifications, and submittals.
- Proficiency with AutoCAD and/or Revit; comfort with Bluebeam, Microsoft Office, and controls software tools.
- Strong troubleshooting, organization, communication, and project-prioritization skills; willingness to travel approximately 33%.
Preferred Experience
- Data center, mission-critical, or high-ambient-temperature applications.
- Remote drivers, distributed low-voltage power, Class 2, or PoE lighting systems.
- Controls platforms such as Lutron, Acuity nLight, Crestron, or Cooper Greengate; wireless or networked lighting controls.
- UL 924 emergency-lighting integration, building automation interfaces, and commissioning.
- Experience with lighting manufacturers, applications engineering, product development, or technical sales support; NCQLP or comparable credentials.
How We Work
We value curiosity, accountability, attention to detail, low-ego teamwork, and a willingness to pitch in wherever needed. The right person is comfortable with ambiguity, learns quickly, communicates clearly, and enjoys building practical, energy-efficient solutions alongside colleagues and customers.
What We Offer
An opportunity to shape a growing controls function, influence product integration, and contribute to energy-efficient lighting in critical facilities. Competitive compensation and benefits in a collaborative, engineering-driven environment.