Lead CEA Research Specialist

About the role

The Lead CEA Research Specialist will direct crop production research in controlled environments such as greenhouses, growth chambers, and growtainers. The role focuses on maximizing yield and quality while collaborating with faculty, staff, and external vendors.

Key responsibilities

• Operate and program greenhouse control systems (Hoogendoorn IIVO, Heliospectra HelioCORE, Microgrow ProComm II, JCI Metasys).
• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair low‑voltage control panels, logic controllers, actuators, valves, motors, and relays.
• Design and install irrigation systems and nutrient injectors of varying complexity.
• Manage hydroponic systems (rockwool, emitter, NFT), mix nutrients, calibrate injectors, and monitor EC, pH, and TDS.
• Operate, troubleshoot, and maintain HVAC equipment and water loops.
• Implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices in controlled environments.
• Lead, mentor, and evaluate a team of CEA facilities coordinators.
• Develop and deliver training programs on standard operating procedures.

Required profile

• Proven experience with greenhouse and controlled‑environment agriculture systems.
• Strong technical aptitude for low‑voltage electrical and HVAC equipment.
• Ability to design and manage irrigation and hydroponic installations.
• Leadership experience, including team supervision and training.

Required skills

• Hoogendoorn IIVO, Heliospectra HelioCORE, Microgrow ProComm II, JCI Metasys control platforms.
• Low‑voltage control panels, logic controllers, actuators, valves, motors, relays.
• Irrigation design, nutrient injection systems.
• Hydroponic system operation (rockwool, emitter, NFT).
• Nutrient mixing, EC, pH, TDS monitoring.
• HVAC equipment maintenance and water loop management.
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) implementation.