Principal, Controls SME

About the role

Hut 8 is hiring a Principal for its Controls SME, which is the managed services controls and automation expert embedded in a data center build. The role supports design review, vendor oversight and commissioning so that control systems are operable, maintainable and trustworthy at turnover. It is a full-time on-site position.

Key responsibilities

• Operability design review: review BMS/BAS, EPMS, SCADA, PLC-based plant controls, CDU and cooling plant controls, and generator, UPS and switchgear controller integration, pushing back where designs assume operators will understand or recover what the system never tells them.
• QA/QC and vendor oversight: review vendor proposals and programming, oversee system configuration and component upgrades, witness factory tests, hold vendors to Hut 8 standards and approved sequences, and enforce change control.
• Construction-phase verification: walk controls installations at key milestones and flag operability and quality issues to the MEP superintendent early.
• Commissioning: witness Level 3-5 commissioning, including point-to-point verification, sequence testing, failover, alarm verification, trend validation and integrated systems testing; review programming and close out items personally.
• Turnover readiness: verify turnover packages, confirm backups restore, and check PM program inputs such as firmware updates and panel power health.
• Training and feedback: train Facility Operations staff and feed operational lessons into controls standards, point naming and alarm conventions and the next project's basis of design.

Required profile

• 7+ years of controls experience in programming, start-up and commissioning of complex systems such as central plants, air handling units and evaporative cooling and humidification systems; a bachelor's degree or trade certification plus 3+ years of industry experience is considered in lieu.
• Experience in critical environments with a working knowledge of critical facility operations and procedure-based work.
• Understanding of control equipment and systems, and of mechanical, electrical and life safety systems in critical facilities.
• Ability to read sequences of operations, spot gaps and failure modes, and interpret blueprints, CAD drawings and controls diagrams.
• Rigor on turnover documentation, especially programming backups, configuration files and version control.
• Comfortable embedded with a construction team while holding the operations line, in a collaborative, cross-functional environment.

Preferred

• Data center experience.
• PLC programming experience.
• IT or networking certification.
• Equipment field service engineering or manufacturer representative experience.
• Demonstrated use of AI tools to improve workflows with measurable results.