Senior Automation Construction Manager, NA

Senior Automation Construction Manager, NA

Position Overview

This role will be based on site at our Shackelford County, TX location.

Vantage is seeking an experienced Automation Construction Manager to lead the planning, installation, integration, testing, and commissioning of automation and controls systems across mission critical data center projects.

This role will oversee the partners responsible of the construction and deployment of building automation systems (BAS), SCADA systems, HVAC controls, control panels, fan systems, valve controls, alarm monitoring systems, and environmental conditioning systems supporting data center operations. The Automation Construction Manager will coordinate with mechanical, electrical, controls, and commissioning teams to ensure automation infrastructure is installed, integrated and commissioned in accordance with project requirements.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise in industrial and facility automation with proven construction project management experience, including scheduling, contractor management, budgeting, risk mitigation, and stakeholder coordination.

Essential Job Functions

Manage project scope, schedule, budget, and execution for automation and controls-related construction activities.

Lead installation and integration of Building Management Systems (BMS), Electrical Power Monitoring Systems (EPMS), Building Automation Systems (BAS), SCADA platforms, PLC-based controls, and facility monitoring systems.

Coordinate automation requirements throughout design, procurement, construction, startup, commissioning, and turnover phases.

Oversee installation and functional testing of:

HVAC control systems

Variable frequency drives (VFDs)

Fan wall control systems

Chilled water and condenser water valve controls

Temperature and humidity monitoring systems

Alarm and notification systems

Environmental conditioning controls

High-temperature and low-flow operating sequences

Partner with Engineering, Operations, Commissioning, and Construction teams to ensure controls systems support facility reliability and operational requirements.

Drive automation system readiness for integrated systems testing (IST) and commissioning activities.

Lead general contractor and its associated controls contractors, automation vendors, and system integrators throughout project delivery along with internal Automation support stakeholder.

Review and validate automation sequences of operation, points lists, network architecture, and control drawings.

Develop and manage project schedules, critical path activities, and commissioning milestones.

Identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies to maintain schedule and operational objectives.

Duties

• Coordinate automation and controls activities with MEP, CSA, commissioning, and operations teams.

• Review automation design packages, control schematics, panel layouts, SCADA architecture, and network diagrams.

• Manage construction and installation of control panels, field devices, instrumentation, sensors, actuators, and communication networks.

Oversee startup and commissioning of:

• Air handling units (AHUs)

• CRAHs and CRACs

• Cooling towers

• Chiller plants

• Pump systems

• Environmental control systems

• Electrical LV systems

• Electrical MV Systems

• Whitespace distribution equipment

• Monitor progress against project schedules and coordinate resolution of field conflicts.

• Ensure controls systems comply with project specifications, design standards, operational requirements, and applicable codes.

• Support integrated systems testing and troubleshooting of automation-related issues.

• Review contractor invoices and validate field progress.

• Manage vendor performance and coordinate corrective actions when required.

• Maintain project reporting including forecasting, budgeting, risk logs, and schedule updates.

• Develop lessons learned, value engineering and process improvements focused on controls and automation implementation.

• Support operational turnover activities including documentation reviews, training coordination, and acceptance testing.

• Additional responsibilities assigned by my manager.

Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Industrial Automation, Controls Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience.

7+ years of experience managing automation, controls, industrial systems, HVAC controls, or mission critical construction projects.

Experience with Building Automation Systems (BAS), Building Management Systems (BMS), and SCADA platforms required.

Experience with automation control strategies supporting HVAC, cooling plants, environmental conditioning systems, and critical infrastructure.

Working knowledge of:

SCADA architecture

PLC systems

Industrial controls

HVAC controls

BACnet, Modbus, and industrial communication protocols

Alarm monitoring systems

Control panel fabrication and installation

Instrumentation and field devices

Experience managing controls contractors, system integrators, commissioning providers, and equipment vendors.

Strong understanding of commissioning processes, sequence of operations testing, and integrated systems testing.

Experience with mission critical facilities, data centers, pharmaceutical facilities, semiconductor plants, manufacturing facilities, power generation facilities, or industrial processing environments preferred.

Demonstrated project management expertise including scheduling, resource planning, budgeting, forecasting, risk mitigation, and stakeholder management.

Proficiency with Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, or similar scheduling tools preferred.

Preferred Background

Data Center construction and commissioning experience.

Industrial automation, process controls, or facility controls background.

Hands-on experience with HVAC optimization, chilled water systems, airflow management, valve sequencing, and environmental monitoring systems.

Experience supporting large-scale mission critical facilities where system uptime, reliability, and operational resilience are key business requirements.

Physical Demands and Special Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop or kneel; talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Additional Details

This position is eligible for company benefits including but not limited to medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and AD&D, short and long-term disabili