Automation Construction Manager, NA

Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world's well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

Construction Department

The Construction team is responsible for the entire process flow of delivering the physical data centers from shovel ready state through commissioning, working with Sales, Operations, and management along the way. Construction implements and executes upon the work product developed by the Development & Engineering (D&E) team. The team also manages Vantage's build partners to success through technical feedback and review, and actively participating in review of schedule, safety and budget. Many times, a role like this at other companies is purely oversight. One thing that distinguishes Vantage is that our construction teams are given the responsibility and authority to directly drive the process. When compared to external resources, our internal team can ensure the key stakeholders are engaged in the decision-making process to align long-term operational sustainability with value engineering and cost metrics to deliver products aligned with corporate goals. This approach empowers each member of the team to drive high- impact decisions and even more impactful results.

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 bmy 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 disability coverage, paid time off, employee assistance, participation in a 401k program that includes company match, and many other additional voluntary benefits.

• Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including your qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience and may fall outside of the range shown.

#LI-Onsite #LI-CM2

We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other's strengths and respecting each other's weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.

Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community.

Don't meet all the requirements? Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values.

Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Vantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers.

We'll be accepting applications for at least one week from the date this role is posted. If you're interested, we encourage you to apply soon-we're excited to find the right person and will keep the role open until we do!