Entry Level Control Engineer Jobs in Salt Lake City, UT

Job Title: Field Engineering Technician – Building Automation & Data Center Systems

Job Description

This role focuses on field commissioning and startup of building automation systems at a state-of-the-art data center. You will use advanced Direct Digital Control (DDC) technology to ensure HVAC, chiller plant controls, energy monitoring, and related systems operate reliably and efficiently. The position offers extensive hands-on experience, outstanding training, and clear career progression paths within field engineering.

Responsibilities

• Commission and start up building automation systems for chiller plant controls, fault detection and diagnostics (FDD), HVAC, energy monitoring, demand response, lighting, indoor air quality, humidity, temperature, and elevator performance.
• Use an iPad to navigate system settings and controls, run diagnostics, and verify that all equipment is operating correctly.
• Perform site startups for the DDC side of equipment and provide commissioning support, without front-end engineering or design responsibilities.
• Follow building automation drawing packages during installation and commissioning and update drawings as needed to reflect as-built conditions.
• Initiate, install, troubleshoot, and optimize customer systems that utilize advanced Direct Digital Control technology.
• Serve as the local technical contact and act as a leader in the field for system-related issues.
• Identify and implement effective solutions for increasingly complex system and controls issues.
• Deliver turnkey project execution on small to medium-sized projects, from startup through final commissioning.
• Verify that all system components, including controls, sensors, and software, are operating properly and in accordance with project specifications.
• Load software, configure trends, set up alarms, and generate reports to support system monitoring and performance verification.
• Implement effective time management strategies to meet project deadlines and ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Communicate project status, technical findings, and system issues clearly to customers and internal stakeholders, documenting all relevant details.
• Provide site-specific training to owners and operators on the complete building automation system, including operation, monitoring, and basic troubleshooting.
• Assist in the training and development of less experienced Field Engineers by sharing knowledge, best practices, and on-the-job guidance.
• Collaborate with contractors and other trades on site to coordinate system startup, testing, and commissioning activities.
• Use an electrical multi-meter and other diagnostic tools to troubleshoot electrical and control circuits associated with HVAC and building automation systems.
• Check out and commission HVAC control devices such as sensors, valves, damper motors, and relays to ensure proper installation and operation.
• Read and interpret HVAC mechanical prints and control drawings to guide field work and verify system configuration.
• Document field changes, test results, and commissioning outcomes to support project closeout and future service needs.

Essential Skills

• 0–2 years of experience for entry-level candidates, with an interest in field construction or mechanical systems such as building construction, solar, power plants, or other mechanical construction-related environments.
• Up to master-level experience is welcomed, with progression from entry-level through advanced field engineering responsibilities.
• Fundamental understanding of HVAC systems, including prior exposure to equipment such as chillers, boilers, and related mechanical systems.
• Basic electrical troubleshooting skills and familiarity with electrical systems related to HVAC and building automation.
• Proficiency in using an electrical multi-meter and the ability to explain its application in troubleshooting.
• Ability to explain what an actuator is and describe its function within a control system.
• Experience or education involving building chillers, pressure systems, boilers, and temperature control.
• Knowledge of Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and their role in HVAC and building automation systems.
• Capability to step into active projects and get systems up and running alongside customers.
• Strong self-drive, curiosity, and the ability to learn quickly in a field-based environment.
• Valid and current driver’s license and eligibility to be insured under company insurance.
• Willingness and ability to work 10-hour days and be available to work most Saturdays as required by the project schedule.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, associate degree, or Technical/Business School certificate or diploma in HVAC, controls, mechanical engineering, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience with building automation software, such as WebCTRL, and with installing increasingly complex building automation controls.
• Basic knowledge of navigating and integrating into a variety of building automation systems.
• Good understanding of common HVAC systems such as rooftop units (RTUs), air handlers, VAV boxes, chillers, and boilers.
• Ability to read and understand HVAC mechanical prints and apply them in the field.
• Ability to check out and commission HVAC control devices including sensors, valves, damper motors, and relays.
• Experience as a field technician in building automation, HVAC, or electrical controls environments.
• Experience in new build or construction projects, particularly those involving building automation systems.
• Experience in building energy-related roles, such as energy monitoring or performance optimization, is beneficial.
• Strong communication skills for interacting with customers, contractors, and internal teams, and for delivering effective site-specific training.
• Interest in long-term career growth, with opportunities to advance through Field Engineer levels and into supervisory or project management roles.

Work Environment

This position is based primarily at a data center project in Racine, WI, where you will work full time on site. The data center is a state-of-the-art facility and one of the first of its kind, offering significant exposure to cutting-edge building automation and data center technologies. The scope of work focuses on building automation checkout and verification for a large-scale critical environment. The anticipated duration at this site is approximately 1–3 years, with opportunities afterward to travel to other data center projects or remain local to support core work in Wisconsin, including schools, pharmaceutical plants, and university systems. Typical workdays are 10 hours, and you should be open to working most Saturdays to meet project demands. You will use an iPad, company-provided laptop, and other test equipment such as multi-meters to perform diagnostics, commissioning, and system verification. The role involves regular interaction with multiple contractors and trades, providing excellent networking opportunities within the industry. Training is extensive and includes approximately three weeks at a dedicated training site to obtain credentials specific to the building automation platform requirements, followed by hands-on experience at an active data center elsewhere in the country before mobilizing to Racine. Travel for training and other data center assignments may involve driving to regional sites within roughly four hours of Milwaukee (such as Indianapolis, Chicago, Des Moines, and Mt. Pleasant) or flying to more distant locations. Assignments at these sites may last from one to two months. The organization provides strong support for professional development, with a mix of classroom and field-based training, high investment in technology, and clear advancement paths. Benefits include paid time off, holiday pay, mileage reimbursement at applicable rates, per diem for food and lodging when traveling, overtime pay, and company-provided equipment.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Salt Lake City, UT.

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $55.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Salt Lake City,UT.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 15, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

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