Key skills
PLC programmingAllen-Bradley PLCSiemens PLCSchneider PLCGE PLCBeckhoff TwinCATSiemens IPCCodesysIEC 61131-3 languagesStructured Text (ST)Function Block Diagram (FBD)Ladder LogicEtherCATProfinetEthernet/IPPID controlState machinesOPC UAMQTTSCADA systemsIgnition SCADASiemens WinCCRockwell FactoryTalkAVEVA/WonderwareSchneider CitectGE iFIXBeckhoff HMIHMI designAlarm systemsHistorian integrationMES integrationCloud platform integrationEnterprise analytics integrationLiquid cooling systemsChillersCentral plant systemsPumping loopsCooling distribution units (CDUs)Heat exchangersRack-level liquid coolingFlow controlPressure controlTemperature controlDelta-T controlVariable speed pumpsVariable speed fansLoad scalingLeak detectionValve controlPump controlAlarm integrationBMS integrationEPMS integrationBACnetModbusCommissioningFAT/SAT validationControls architectureSequence of Operations (SOO)Industrial networkingInstrumentationControl theoryAnalyticsCommunication
About this role
Jabil is a trusted partner for the world's top brands, offering comprehensive engineering, supply chain, and manufacturing solutions. They are seeking a Principal PLC Controls & Automation Engineer to serve as the technical authority for automation architecture across advanced liquid cooled factory and data center ecosystems, driving the controls strategy and ensuring scalability.
Responsibilities:
- Personally architect, build, and deploy PLC control systems for complex liquid cooled factory and data center environments, owning solutions from concept through commissioning
- Write, structure, and maintain production grade PLC, SCADA and HMI code as the primary technical contributor, setting the bar for quality, performance and maintainability through direct execution
- Establish engineering standards, templates, and reusable design frameworks
- Lead design reviews, FAT/SAT validation strategies, and commissioning plans
- Design and implement PLC systems (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider, GE and other industrial PLC ecosystems)
- Design and implement IPC/Soft PLC systems (Beckhoff TwinCAT, Siemens IPC, Codesys)
- Develop structured, modular control logic using IEC 61131-3 languages (ST, FBD, Ladder)
- Implement through direct coding, not delegation: Real-time control (EtherCAT, Profinet, Ethernet/IP) Advanced algorithms (PID, sequencing, state machines) Edge processing, data buffering, and protocol conversion (OPC UA, MQTT)
- Architect and deploy SCADA systems across platforms such as: Ignition, Siemens WinCC, Rockwell FactoryTalk AVEVA/Wonderware, Schneider Citect GE iFIX, Beckhoff HMI, web-based SCADA
- Design high-performance HMIs, alarm systems, and historian integration
- Enable integration with MES, cloud platforms, and enterprise analytics systems
- Build and commission automation solutions for a full liquid cooling ecosystem including chillers and central plant systems, primary and secondary pumping loops, cooling distribution units (CDUs),heat exchangers and rack‑level liquid cooling
- Directly implement control strategies for flow, pressure, temperature, delta‑T control, variable speed pumps and fans and load scaling for energy optimization
- Author, implement, and validate detailed Sequences of Operations personally, translating operational intent directly into PLC logic
- Build SOO that are logic‑ready, fault‑tolerant, commissionable and maintainable
- Execute and refine SOO during FAT, SAT, and live operation based on observed system performance
- Design and implement leak detection and mitigation logic firsthand, integrating sensors, valves, pumps, and alarms directly into PLC control strategies
- Focus on building automated responses for zone isolation, controlled shutdowns or ramp‑downs, protection of IT equipment and critical infrastructure
- Ensure fail safe behavior through tested and field‑proven logic
- Integrate control systems with: BMS (HVAC, liquid cooling, environmental systems) EPMS (power monitoring, UPS, switchgear)
- Define and code data models, telemetry points and system boundaries through hands on configuration and validation
- Implement communication via BACnet, Modbus, OPC UA
- Enable unified system architecture across BMS, EPMS, PLC, and MES platforms
- Support energy monitoring, alarm management, and event-driven control actions
- Lead commissioning through direct participation, including FAT, SAT, integrated systems testing and live startup
- Serve as the primary technical executor during critical milestones and escalations
- Tune and optimize systems in real operating conditions
- Establish controls standards, architectures, and best practices by building and proving them in production systems
- Mentor other engineers through working sessions, paired programming, and field execution, not design reviews alone
- Drive continuous improvement by evolving standards based on operational data and lessons learned
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering or Controls Engineering
- 8+ years of progressive PLC and controls engineering experience
- Demonstrated expert level proficiency in Allen‑Bradley and Siemens PLC platforms
- Proven experience owning controls architecture and SOO for complex automated systems
- Strong background in industrial networking, instrumentation and control theory
- Master's degree preferred
- Deep experience with liquid‑cooled data centers, high‑density compute, or advanced thermal systems
- Experience in critical facilities, NPI programs, or large‑scale infrastructure deployments
- Background in redundant systems, uptime driven design and risk mitigation