Job Title: Data Center Automation Technician / Electrical I/O TechnicianJob DescriptionThe Automation Technician / Electrical I/O Technician is responsible for on-site I/O device and instrumentation checkout, electrical verification and drawing redlines, as well as controls testing activities for assigned automation systems. This role focuses on chilled-water and building management system (BMS) projects within a data center environment and is accountable for delivering work safely, on schedule, and in accordance with project specifications. The position reports to a construction and electrical coordinator and plays a key role in commissioning automated process and facility systems.Responsibilities
- Execute automation, electrical, and controls work in the field for chilled-water and BMS projects, ensuring all activities are completed safely, on schedule, and to specification.
- Serve as a member of the field crew verifying networking of PLCs and associated equipment, loading PLC programming, performing system start-up, and interfacing with PLC and SCADA platforms (such as Ignition) to perform I/O checkout.
- Verify and start up valves, instrumentation, and flow meters, including coordinating factory start-up of flow meters, as well as control valve actuators and chiller-loop sensors.
- Conduct site rundowns including pre-commissioning start-up, I/O checks, loop tuning, and drawing redlines to support accurate as-built documentation.
- Troubleshoot field issues and wiring problems, document findings, and report them promptly to the site supervisor and project coordinator.
- Report daily for assigned work, meetings, and training during the 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday shift.
- Perform visual inspection of all field materials and devices after installation, including conduit, junction boxes, wire and cable, poly tubing, ferrules, home runs, and labeling, ensuring compliance with drawings and specifications and communicating any defects immediately to the general contractor.
- Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and adhere to all site-specific safety and environmental health and safety (EH&S) requirements.
- Participate in CxAlloy issue resolution, requests for information (RFIs), building information modeling (BIM) updates, and Procore, Hammer-Tech, and Bluebeam Studio workflows, including maintaining accurate as-built redlines.
- Request direction for approved tasks to ensure no out-of-scope work is performed without written direction and pre-approval from the general contractor.
- Communicate diplomatically and professionally with internal team members and external vendor, client, and owner representatives.
- Understand and follow technical testing checklists, ensuring accurate completion and proactively communicating any roadblocks or unexpected results.
- Report any attendance deviations in advance, including missed work for any reason, in line with project expectations.
- Demonstrate a strong team-player approach, collaborating effectively with field crews, commissioning agents, and project stakeholders.
- Maintain a consistently positive attitude, a clear sense of purpose in task completion, and appropriate urgency in resolving issues and completing assignments.
- Perform other related duties as required to support successful project execution and commissioning.
Essential Skills
- Experience in industrial controls, electrical construction, or commissioning of automated process and facility systems, with a desired 3 years of experience and a minimum of 1 year in these areas.
- Ability to read and interpret P&ID diagrams and electrical schematics to support installation, troubleshooting, and commissioning activities.
- Hands-on familiarity with PLCs, preferably Rockwell PLCs, including networking, loading programs, and performing system start-up.
- Experience interfacing with SCADA platforms, such as Ignition or comparable systems, for I/O checkout and system monitoring.
- Working knowledge of instrumentation, including flow, pressure, temperature, valves, and variable frequency drives (VFDs), particularly in BMS and chilled-water systems.
- Demonstrated experience performing commissioning activities at Level 2 / Level 3 (or equivalent) and collaborating effectively with third-party commissioning agents.
- OSHA 10 certification and ability to complete and adhere to lockout/tagout (LOTO), mobile elevating work platform (MEWP), Arc Flash, and site-specific safety training requirements.
- Strong troubleshooting skills for field issues and wiring, with the ability to systematically identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
- Proficiency in following detailed technical testing checklists and accurately documenting results, issues, and resolutions.
- Ability to work long shifts (6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) and maintain reliability in attendance, including proactive communication about schedule changes.
- Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to interact diplomatically with internal teams and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrated team-oriented mindset with a consistently positive attitude and a strong sense of ownership and urgency in completing tasks.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Bachelors degree in a technical field such as Engineering, Engineering Technology, Construction Management, or a related discipline, or equivalent trades and field experience (for example, journeyman electrician or controls technician).
- Preferred hands-on experience with Rockwell PLCs and Ignition or comparable SCADA systems used in industrial automation and building management applications.
- Preferred experience working with BMS and chilled-water systems, including instrumentation such as flow meters, pressure and temperature sensors, valves, and VFDs.
- Experience using project and commissioning tools such as CxAlloy, Procore, Hammer-Tech, Bluebeam Studio, and BIM platforms for issue tracking, documentation, and as-built updates.
- Familiarity with data center environments and associated mechanical and electrical systems, particularly chilled-water distribution and control.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail for maintaining accurate redlines, documentation, and test records throughout the project lifecycle.
- Ability to adapt to evolving project requirements, take initiative within defined scopes of work, and seek guidance to avoid out-of-scope activities.
Work EnvironmentThis role is based on-site at a data center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, working primarily on chilled-water and building management system automation within a large-scale construction and commissioning environment. The standard schedule is 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, totaling approximately 60 hours per week. The work takes place in an active construction and industrial setting, requiring consistent use of appropriate PPE and strict adherence to OSHA, LOTO, MEWP, Arc Flash, and site-specific safety protocols. The environment involves close collaboration with construction teams, commissioning agents, and technical stakeholders, and regular use of tools and technologies such as PLCs, SCADA platforms, CxAlloy, Procore, Hammer-Tech, Bluebeam Studio, and BIM software. Work is performed on and around electrical, mechanical, and instrumentation systems typical of data centers, with an emphasis on chilled-water and BMS infrastructure. Daily activities include field inspections, equipment start-up, troubleshooting, and documentation in a fast-paced, schedule-driven setting that values teamwork, professionalism, and a positive, safety-focused culture. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract position based out of Cedar Rapids, IA. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $35.00 - $50.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:
Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract position based out of Cedar Rapids, IA. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 20, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Cedar Rapids,IA.About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
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