Controls Integration Engineer

Job Description: Controls Integration Engineer – New Product Development

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Department: New Product Development (Engineering)

Reports To: Director – Controls Engineering

Location: Fort Wayne, IN (Onsite / Hybrid: Up to 2 days remote per week following initial orientation and acclimation)

Travel Requirement: Less than 15% (Occasional lab testing, manufacturing line support, or field trial assistance)

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Our client is an industry-leading, highly respected manufacturer of premium residential and commercial heating, cooling, and water-source equipment, renowned globally as a pioneer in sustainable, high-efficiency geothermal and renewable HVAC technology. Operating out of a modern, state-of-the-art facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the organization combines rigorous engineering with proprietary smart-building control platforms, zoning systems, and advanced communicating architecture to deliver industry-leading efficiencies and exceptional environmental performance. Backed by a stable global parent network and a strong reputation for engineering excellence, the company offers a collaborative, family-like yet entrepreneurial mid-sized environment where engineers make a direct, tangible impact across all facets of the business.

POSITION OVERVIEW & ROLE PURPOSE

The organization is recruiting a technical Controls Integration Engineer to join its New Product Development engineering group. In this individual contributor role, you will design, develop, validate, and debug the operational control software that powers factory-installed control packages across a broad equipment portfolio—including water-to-water heat pumps, air-to-water chillers, water-to-air heat pumps, Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems (DOAS), rooftop packages, and forced air/hydronic combo systems.

Following major regulatory product updates, the engineering department is shifting its primary focus back to pure innovation, next-generation product design, and intelligent software integration. The ideal candidate bridges the gap between building automation software (Niagara N4 / Automated Logic) and equipment-level control sequence design, possessing strong coding discipline along with practical, hands-on expertise in HVAC and refrigeration mechanics (temperatures, pressures, superheat, subcooling, and thermodynamic cycles).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Operational Control Software Development: Design, write, validate, debug, and maintain factory-installed control software across diverse packaged HVAC equipment lines (variable-capacity systems, dual-capacity units, splits, and hydronic combos).

• Control Logic & Sequence Design: Define, test, and refine operational sequences and closed-loop control algorithms to maximize unit efficiency performance (COP/EER) and ensure long-term system reliability.

• Building Automation Integration: Configure and validate standard communication protocols—including BACnet, BACnet/IP, Modbus, and RS-485 infrastructure—ensuring seamless communication between equipment units and customer Building Automation Systems (BAS).

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with R&D, embedded software engineering, testing labs, systems engineering, manufacturing, IT, product management, and technical services.

• Specification & Project Planning: Collaborate with engineering teams to write and refine functional specifications for packaged systems and provide accurate work estimates for project schedules.

• Testing & Field Support: Provide technical expertise, diagnostics, and root-cause troubleshooting for in-house testing labs, manufacturing lines, field trials, and complex customer site escalations.

• Software Version Control & Documentation: Maintain software documentation, repository structure, and version control using Git.

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Visual Programming Expertise: 5+ years of visual/iconic programming experience using Niagara N4 (Tridium), Automated Logic (ALC), or similar building automation development platforms.

• System Design & HVAC/Refrigeration Knowledge: 5+ years of system design experience with a thorough, practical understanding of refrigeration cycles, heat pumps, chillers, and thermodynamic system behavior.

• Communication Protocols: Demonstrated proficiency with BACnet, BACnet/IP, Modbus, and RS-485 communication protocols and infrastructure.

• Software Discipline: Strong coding skills/methodologies and practical knowledge of Git software documentation control.

• Personal Attributes: Detail-oriented self-starter with strong communication skills, comfortable working both independently and collaboratively in multi-departmental team settings.

• Work Authorization: Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer visa sponsorship.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent practical industry experience).

• Certifications: Niagara 4 (N4) Certification and/or Automated Logic (ALC) Certification.

• Equipment Experience: Direct experience developing or integrating controls for geothermal heat pumps, water-source heat pumps, commercial chillers, or DOAS units.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS HIGHLIGHTS

• Target Base Salary: $95,000+ base salary commensurate on experience

• Annual Incentive: Eligible for company-wide annual bonus plan (5% gross pay target based on 10% YoY business growth).

• Relocation Assistance: Lump sum or managed relocation package available for qualified regional candidates relocating to Fort Wayne, IN.

• Work Arrangement: Onsite in Fort Wayne, IN with hybrid flexibility (up to 2 days remote weekly) following initial orientation and acclimation.

• Health & Medical Benefits: Exceptional copay insurance plan featuring a $0 deductible and a $3,000 annual out-of-pocket maximum per family member.

• Retirement & PTO: 401(k) retirement plan with employer match up to 4%; 2 weeks vacation (negotiable) plus 32 hours of paid time off (PTO).

• Campus Perks: Modern headquarters featuring campus amenities (such as walking paths around a scenic pond), expanding facilities, and company-sponsored factory/platform training.