Director Distech Controls Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

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Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

The Facilities and Logistics Operations Division oversees the physical development, maintenance, and safe operation of the Laboratory's infrastructure to enable advanced workplaces, resilient systems, and uninterrupted mission support. Within this division, the Facilities Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Section, which assumes end-to-end ownership of the physical work environment and responsibility for the overall physical maintenance and safe operation of the Laboratory, is seeking an EMCS Manager & SCADA Compliance Engineer to provide high-level technical leadership, quality assurance, and operational compliance oversight for the Energy Management Control Systems (EMCS), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) networks, and Facilities Operational Technology (OT) related to M&O functions. This position serves as a primary Subject Matter Expert (SME) bridging Facilities Operations, M&O Subcontractors, and Enterprise IT/Cybersecurity organizations.

Reporting to the Facilities Management Group Supervisor, the selected candidate will ensure that all EMCS and SCADA networks adhere strictly to Laboratory and NASA policies and regulatory requirements.

Tasks include but are not limited to:

EMCS Technical Oversight, Design Reviews & Capital Projects

• Manage EMCS network configuration and utility metering system for the Lab, including but not limited to JACEs, Distech, Smart II, Eaton Power Control Center, EnergyCap, ION.

• Perform complex design reviews and plan checks for new construction, reconstruction, and retrofit projects involving EMCS. Participate in project punch walks and report technical findings to ensure long-term maintainability and sustainability.

• Identify EMCS infrastructure upgrades for implementation.

• Support other teams during project acceptance and commissioning.

• Assess the physical condition, remaining useful life, and obsolescence of EMCS and metering assets to support Facilities Condition Assessments (FCA), Deferred Maintenance studies, and facility audits.

• Develop, update, and enforce technical design guidelines, standard Sequences of Operation (SOO) related to EMCS and HVAC mechanical systems.

• Provide technical support and direct assistance to internal customers when unresolved subcontractor issues involve EMCS performance, environmental control sequences, or SCADA data inaccuracies.

• Serve as a liaison with NASA HQ on EMCS network and configuration.

SCADA/OT/IT Integration, Metering & Systems Maintenance

• Collaborate with operations personnel on network routing and protocol issues (BACnet IP/MSTP, Modbus TCP/RTU, OPC UA) across EMCS and smart meters.

• Execute software upgrades, version control, and security patch management across SCADA/EMCS application servers, Java Application Control Engine (JACE) controllers, and related computers. Drive Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) practices.

• Identify and implement EMCS control sequence optimizations and logic adjustments to support Laboratory energy conservation targets.

• Partner with IT, Cybersecurity, and Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) specialists as the Facilities OT Subject Matter Expert-providing technical evidence, baseline configurations, network architecture details, and operational data needed to maintain SCADA/EMCS System Security Plans (SSPs) and NASA federal compliance standards.

Institutional Leadership, Mentorship & Inter-Agency Collaboration

• Continuously monitor, evaluate, and stay abreast of emerging technical developments, advances in controls automation, OT cybersecurity, and HVAC/EMCS industry standards; evaluate novel technologies for implementation across Laboratory facilities.

• Participate in inter-agency working groups and peer teams across NASA Centers to contribute technical expertise toward updating facilities OT, EMCS, and controls standards.

• Participate in the technical development of solicitation documentation for facilities contracts and subcontracts.

• Serve as a multifunctional project/team leader; mentor and coach junior engineers, operations staff, and contractor partners across and outside the organization.

Required Qualifications:

• Typically requires a bachelor's degree in engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline with a minimum of 9 years of related experience; OR a master's degree in a similar discipline with a minimum of 7 years of related experience; OR a PhD with 5 years of related experience.

• Tridium/Niagara Certified (N4 TCP required).

• Demonstrated experience with Direct Digital Controls (DDC) hardware, electrical systems, Building Automation Systems (BAS), and energy management.

• Demonstrated expertise and troubleshooting capabilities with Tridium/Niagara, Siemens, and Distech systems.

• Thorough understanding of principles, theories, concepts, and techniques in HVAC, central plant operations, and EMCS integration.

• In-depth knowledge of applicable industry and academic practices for reviewing, updating, and enforcing EMCS standards, procedures, guidelines, and specifications related to HVAC mechanical systems.

• Demonstrated knowledge and applied experience with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems and their application within Operational Technology / Industrial Control Systems (OT/ICS) environments.

• Proven problem-solving capabilities and excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Demonstrated technical documentation skills.

• Self-starter with the ability to work effectively both independently and as a collaborative member of project teams in a dynamic, fast-paced technical environment.

• Proficient in MS Office programs and standard PC application software.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Focused Engineering Background: Experience in mechanical systems and/or computer science with an emphasis on HVAC principles, central plant operations, and EMCS sequence optimization.

• Strong ability, desire, and flexibility to take on dynamic, evolving assignments within the organization.

Note: The nature of this work may require occasional non-standard hours to meet critical project deadlines and support operational requirements.

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee's start date.

For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.