Freelance Building Automation Programmer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Building Automation Systems (BAS) Controls Technician to install, commission, troubleshoot, and service HVAC control systems across commercial, institutional, and industrial facilities. The successful candidate will work hands-on with DDC controllers, field devices, and multi-vendor platforms, and will be responsible for diagnosing system issues, verifying sequences of operation, and delivering reliable, energy-efficient building performance to our customers.

Core Qualifications

Experience

• Minimum 3+ years of hands-on experience in building automation, HVAC controls, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience commissioning, troubleshooting, and servicing DDC systems in occupied buildings.

Technical Proficiency

Systems / Software

• Tridium Niagara (AX and/or N4) — must be able to diagnose, navigate Workbench, modify wire sheets, pull histories/alarms, and resolve station/JACE issues.
• Comfort with engineering tools, backups, and station commissioning workflows.

HVAC Equipment

• Blower coils, fan coils, unit ventilators (UVs), air handling units (AHUs), rooftop units (RTUs), and Variable Air Volume (VAV) boxes (pressure-independent and pressure-dependent).
• Working knowledge of associated devices: actuators, VFDs, sensors (temp, humidity, CO₂, pressure), differential pressure transmitters, and control valves.

Communication Protocols

• BACnet MS/TP and BACnet/IP (device discovery, addressing, MAC/instance troubleshooting).
• Modbus (RTU and TCP).
• ARCnet legacy networks.
• Familiarity with LON and basic IP networking (subnets, VLANs, switches) is a plus.

Manufacturer Platforms

• Honeywell, Johnson Controls (JCI), Delta Controls, Trane, and Distech Controls.
• Experience with additional platforms (Siemens, Automated Logic, ALC, EasyIO) considered a plus.

Certifications & Safety

• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification required (or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire).
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record (required for field travel and company vehicle eligibility).
• Tridium Niagara N4 TCP certification preferred.
• Manufacturer-specific training certificates (Distech, Delta, JCI, Honeywell) a plus.
• NICET, LEED GA, or EPA 608 (Universal) a plus.

Education

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate degree in HVAC, electronics, electrical, mechanical, or related field preferred — or equivalent military/trade school training.

Key Responsibilities

Installation & Commissioning

• Install, terminate, and verify low-voltage control wiring per project drawings, submittals, and NEC / UL 508A
• Load controller programs, configure points, and commission DDC field controllers and supervisory devices (JACEs, web supervisors).
• Verify sequences of operation against design documents and tune control loops (PID) for stable operation.
• Perform point-to-point checkout and functional performance testing (FPT).

Troubleshooting & Service

• Diagnose and resolve issues across mechanical, electrical, network, and software layers.
• Troubleshoot BACnet MS/TP and IP networks, including device addressing, polarity, termination, biasing, and traffic analysis.
• Respond to service calls, perform preventive maintenance, and recommend system improvements or upgrades.

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain accurate as-built drawings, point lists, network diagrams, and sequence-of-operation documents.
• Produce clear written service reports, commissioning checklists, and deficiency logs using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Submit accurate timesheets and expense reports.

Customer Communication

• Communicate proactively and professionally with customers, project managers, mechanical contractors, and engineers.
• Provide on-site customer training on graphics, schedules, alarms, and basic system operation.
• Set realistic expectations and provide timely status updates on open issues.

Safety

• Adhere to all OSHA, company, and site-specific safety policies.
• Conduct job-site hazard assessments; use appropriate PPE; follow lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures.
• Maintain a safety-conscious mindset at all times — for self, coworkers, and customer staff.

Operational Expectations

• Manage time effectively across multiple concurrent sites and service tickets.
• Work overtime, after-hours, and on-call rotations as required to meet customer needs.
• Travel locally to job sites daily; occasional overnight travel may be required.
• Operate independently in the field while collaborating with office-based engineers and project managers.

Physical & Environmental Requirements

• Ability to climb ladders, scaffolds, and lifts; work on rooftops, in mechanical rooms, ceilings, crawl spaces, and basements.
• Ability to lift and carry tools and equipment up to 50–75 lbs
• Comfortable working in varied environmental conditions: heat, cold, dust, noise, and confined spaces.
• Capable of standing, kneeling, bending, and using hand and power tools for extended periods.
• Must be able to operate a laptop, smartphone, tablet, and standard hand tools.

Preferred / Plus Qualifications

• Experience with energy management, fault detection and diagnostics (FDD), or analytics platforms.
• Familiarity with IT/OT cybersecurity practices for OT networks.
• Graphics development experience (Niagara Px, HTML5 dashboards).
• Prior experience integrating third-party systems (lighting, metering, access control, generators) into a BAS head-end.