Controls Technician

Organization Overview

The Facilities & Operations (F&O) Directorate supports Brookhaven National Laboratory’s (BNL) science, technology, and environmental restoration missions by delivering safe, environmentally sound, and reliable infrastructure. F&O provides high-quality craft and fabrication services and safeguards people, property, and national security.

The Energy & Utilities (EU) Division, within F&O, operates and maintains critical site-wide infrastructure, including:

• Electric Transmission & Distribution System
• Central Steam and Chilled Water Facilities
• Potable and Wastewater Treatment Plants
• Site Fire Alarm and Building Electrical Systems
• Energy Management Control System (EMCS)
• Energy Procurement and Metering Systems

The Energy Management group within EU Division ensures these systems remain safe, efficient, reliable, and mission-ready, and oversees BNL’s energy conservation and procurement efforts.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Energy Management group seeks a Control Systems Specialist to support the operation, maintenance, and enhancement of BNL’s Energy Management Control System (EMCS), central utility Programmable Logic Control (PLC) systems, and site-wide metering infrastructure. This cross-functional role ensures control systems operate efficiently and reliably to support BNL’s mission of pioneering scientific research.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Operate, troubleshoot, and upgrade control systems including the Phoenix Controls, the Automated Logic Controls (ALC) Energy Management Control System (EMCS) and PLCs.
• Monitor daily operations, respond to alarms, and investigate system faults in Buildings and the Central Utility plants.
• Support integration and development of energy metering infrastructure across the site.
• Coordinate modifications to control systems including programming, graphics, networking modifications and controller installations.
• Maintain and update critical alarm configurations and response protocols.
• Provide field support to electricians, mechanics, and technicians for system installations and repairs.
• Calibrate control system components (e.g., sensors, transducers, actuators), and support vendors when brought on site for system calibrations.
• Trouble shoot network communication issues.
• Support pre-emptive replacements of end-of-life controls devices.
• Respond to emergencies and equipment malfunctions as necessary.
• Oversee contractor work, approve invoices, and manage procurement of control system-related materials.
• Support databases, trend monitoring, and site historians for energy systems.
• Review fault detection diagnostics and coordinate resolution with internal teams and vendors.

Required Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Requires a high school diploma or equivalent plus:- a BS degree in a technical field and 6 years work experience or;- a technical institute, Adult BOCES certification, AA degree in a technical field, CCI program completion at BNL plus 10 years experience or;- a technical high school certification program (e.g. BOCES) and 11 years relevant work experience or;- 12 years relevant work experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of installing, programming, calibrating, and maintaining building control systems.
• Strong field experience troubleshooting laboratory and HVAC control systems.
• Proficient in reading and understanding electrical, mechanical, P&ID diagrams, and control wiring drawings.
• Experience developing HVAC control sequences in ladder logic and block logic.
• Must have valid NYS driver’s license.
• Must be able to read, write, and verbally communicate in English.
• This is a fully onsite position located at BNL.
• Must have working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Certification as an HVAC Controls Technician (Niagara 4 or ALC).
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Minimum 5 years of experience with microprocessor-based automation systems.
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience with building automation or HVAC controls.
• Knowledge of energy management principles, conservation technologies, and HVAC systems.
• Familiarity with metering infrastructure and integration with control systems.
• Automated Logic Controls (ALC), Niagara 4, and Phoenix Laboratory Control systems.
• Familiarity with Rockwell Automation ControlLogix PLCs and software.
• Aveva Wonderware HMI and Historian Software.
• Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) programming including Allan Bradley, ABB, and Yaskawa manufacturers.
• Electric Meter programming including TransData, Itron, Schneider and MV-90 integration software.
• AutoCAD, Microsoft Visio, Microsoft Access (report building), Microsoft SQL Server.
• CA Arcserve.
• NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code and NFPA 70E (Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace).

Environmental, Safety, and Health, Considerations:

• Standing, bending, and lifting, up to 30 lbs.
• Ability to work in confined spaces.
• Ability to climb fixed and portable ladders and work at heights up to 20 feet.
• Work outdoors/cold environments.
• Work in warm environments.
• Ability to act as a primary authorized employee for Lock-out/Tag-out.
• Ability to wear proper PPE such as safety glasses, safety shoes, and hearing protection.
• Domestic travel may be required on occasion for training purposes.
• Use of a personal car may be required at certain times.

Additional:

• This is a fully onsite position located at BNL.
• Visa sponsorship for this position is not available.
• Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Brookhaven Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $89400 – 122167 / year. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.