Automation Technical Lead - Utilities & BMS

JC Automation

Carolina, PR

Estimated pay: Est. $16–$22/hr (market estimate, not employer-stated)

Shift: Full time

**About Company:**

JC Automation Corp. (JCA) was founded in 1997 with the mission of filling a gap between technology and regulatory requirements in the life science manufacturing industry. The company offers highly capable resources at an affordable cost to build solutions and execute projects in: Automation, Control Systems Integration, Information Technology, System Integration and Regulatory Compliance.

JCA is a HUBZone Certified Small Business Firm, NMSDC Certified Minority Business Enterprise, and Certified Critical Industry Supplier. It’s mission is to add value by delivering quality services & solutions on time all the time by transforming processes & technology into business advantages.

**About the Role:**

The Automation Technical Lead for Utilities & Building Management Systems (BMS) plays a pivotal role in designing, implementing, and overseeing advanced automation solutions that optimize utility operations and building management. This position is responsible for leading technical teams to develop scalable and efficient control systems that enhance energy efficiency, reliability, and safety across utility infrastructures and commercial buildings. The role demands close collaboration with cross-functional teams, including engineering, operations, and IT, to ensure seamless integration of automation technologies with existing systems. The Automation Technical Lead will also drive innovation by evaluating emerging technologies and recommending improvements to current automation strategies. Ultimately, this role ensures that automation initiatives align with organizational goals, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices to deliver measurable operational improvements.

**Responsibilities:**

• Technical lead for automation scope supporting Utilities and Building Management Systems (BMS), including HVAC, central plant, critical utilities monitoring, and facility integration points.
• Own automation/BMS technical requirements: URS/FRS, control narratives, I/O lists, points lists, network architecture, and cybersecurity requirements in coordination with IT/OT.
• Develop and review design deliverables (P&IDs, control diagrams, sequences of operation, panel designs, wiring schematics, and specifications) from integrators and EPC partners.
• Lead vendor/integrator selection support, technical bid evaluation, and scope-of-work definition; manage technical interfaces and clarify RFI responses.
• Drive commissioning readiness: review test protocols, support FAT/SAT/IOQ, oversee functional testing, manage punch lists, and ensure turnover packages are complete.
• Coordinate cutovers, downtime planning, and operational readiness with Facilities/Operations; provide troubleshooting support and root cause analysis.
• Ensure compliance with applicable standards and site procedures (e.g., GMP where applicable), including change control, documentation practices, and validation deliverables.
• Mentor engineers/technicians and establish standards for alarms, trending, graphics, naming conventions, and CMMS/EMS integrations.

**Minimum Qualifications:**

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Controls Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• 8+ years of experience in industrial/facilities automation with at least 3 years in a technical lead or senior engineer role.
• Hands-on experience with BMS and automation platforms (e.g., Siemens Desigo, Rockwell Automation/Allen‑Bradley) and integrations/protocols such as BACnet/IP, Modbus TCP/RTU, OPC, EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, and Fieldbus (as applicable).
• Experience with data historians and OT data collection (e.g., OSIsoft/AVEVA PI), including tag standards, data quality, and basic analytics/trending.
• Strong understanding of HVAC systems, central utilities, and building systems (AHUs, chillers, boilers, pumps, VFDs, cooling towers, steam, compressed air, WFI/RO where applicable).
• Ability to produce/review sequences of operation, control narratives, and commissioning/functional test documentation.
• Knowledge of OT networks, segmentation, and secure remote access; ability to collaborate with IT/cybersecurity teams on standards and risk mitigations.
• Proven experience supporting commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting in operating facilities.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills; able to coordinate across Facilities, Operations, IT/OT, EPC, and vendors.

**Desired Qualifications:**

• Experience in regulated environments (GMP, GxP), including validation (CSV), commissioning & qualification (C&Q), and data integrity practices.
• Experience integrating BMS to SCADA/EMS, historians, CMMS, or energy management platforms; KPI dashboards and analytics.
• Familiarity with ISA-95/ISA-88 concepts and Purdue model; industrial cybersecurity frameworks (IEC 62443, NIST).
• Ability to develop or review BMS graphics/HMI standards and alarm management best practices.
• PE license, PMP, or relevant vendor certifications (nice-to-have).

**Soft