Contract Controls Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

About Mantis

We help organizations improve how their buildings perform by bringing together energy, facility operations, and sustainability into one connected approach. At Mantis, our teams work across the full lifecycle of a facility—from planning and design to field execution and long-term asset management—across commercial and industrial portfolios, data centers, and complex mechanical systems.

Our work spans four core areas: Building Controls, Energy Efficiency, Energy Advisory, and Facility Management—covering HVAC/mechanical optimization, BMS/BAS and EPMS controls, lighting system upgrades, energy brokerage, roofing and building envelope assessments, construction management, and more.

Whether you’re in sales, engineering, construction/project management, field operations, corporate, or technology, you’ll play a role in delivering these solutions and helping clients improve facility performance.

Position Summary

The BMS Estimator is responsible for developing accurate cost estimates and proposals for Building Management Systems (BMS), Building Automation Systems (BAS), HVAC controls, energy management, EPMS integration, and related facility automation projects. The successful candidate combines controls expertise, construction knowledge, operational understanding, and commercial judgment to create competitive and profitable proposals for commercial, industrial, healthcare, pharmaceutical, higher education, and mission‑critical data center projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Review construction drawings, specifications, submittals, and bid packages to determine actual BMS/BAS project scope.


• Responsible for clarifying the SOW by issuing Requests For Information (RFIs) during the bid process


• Develop equipment counts, point counts, material takeoffs, labor estimates, software requirements, and pricing summaries.


• Prepare customer‑facing proposals, scope documents, exclusions, assumptions, qualifications, and bid summaries.


• Identify constructability concerns, design conflicts, coordination issues, scope gaps, and commercial risks before contract award.


• Review revised drawing packages and evaluate impacts to labor, materials, schedule, commissioning requirements, and execution strategy.


• Solicit, evaluate, and level vendor and subcontractor quotations.


• Support project handoff activities, change order pricing, and scope evaluations during project execution.


• Evaluate integration requirements involving BAS, BMS, EPMS, SCADA, DCIM, lighting controls, utility monitoring systems, and third‑party integrations.


• Participate in customer meetings, site walks, pre‑bid conferences, and internal estimate reviews.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in BMS/BAS, Controls Engineering, Controls Project Management, Controls Field Service, Solutions Engineering, System Integration, or related environments.


• Ability to read and interpret mechanical, electrical, controls, and construction drawings and specifications.


• Strong knowledge of HVAC controls, DDC controls, commissioning practices, and operational building systems.


• Experience developing project scope from construction documents.


• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and commercial skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a Controls Technician, Controls Engineer, Controls Project Manager, Systems Engineer, Solutions Engineer, or Operations Manager.


• Experience in mission‑critical environments including data centers, healthcare, laboratories, utilities, industrial facilities, central plants, and large commercial facilities.


• Experience with Niagara, Automated Logic, Schneider Electric EcoStruxure, Siemens Desigo, Johnson Controls Metasys, Honeywell EBI, Distech, or similar platforms.


• Knowledge of BACnet, Modbus, LonWorks, SNMP, and integrated building systems.


• Experience commissioning, integrating, programming, troubleshooting, or supporting controls systems.

Technical Skills

• Building Management Systems (BMS)


• Building Automation Systems (BAS)


• EPMS, SCADA, and DCIM Systems


• HVAC and DDC Controls


• Cost Estimating and Budgeting


• Bluebeam


• AutoCAD


• Revit (Preferred)


• Microsoft Excel
  
• ERP and Project Management Software

Typical Deliverables

• Detailed Cost Estimates


• Bid Proposals and Quotations


• Scope of Work Documents


• Material Takeoffs
  
• Labor Forecasts


• Project Budgets


• Change Order Pricing


• Value Engineering Recommendations

Working Conditions

Work is performed in office, remote, and active project environments with periodic travel based on project and customer needs.

$125,000 - $155,000 a year

Note: Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position.

What else can we offer you?

We offer a fantastic lineup of benefits, including Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, HSA, 401k Matching, Paid Vacation, Paid Sick, Paid Holidays, Paid Parental Leave, Paid Short Term & Long Term Disability, Tuition Reimbursement, and a flexible hybrid work schedule (for office‑based employees). Working at Mantis also brings tremendous professional development opportunities that allow you to make a real impact on both the company and your career!

Not sure you meet every single requirement?

Studies show that women and individuals from underrepresented groups often hesitate to apply unless they check every box. At Mantis, we’re committed to building an inclusive and equitable team—so if this role excites you, we’d love to hear from you, even if your experience doesn’t match every single qualification.

Mantis Innovation is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.