Data Center Controls Engineer

Anthropic•San Francisco, CA

16h•Hybrid

About The Position

Anthropic’s mission is to create reliable, interpretable, and steerable AI systems. We want AI to be safe and beneficial for our users and for society as a whole. Our team is a quickly growing group of committed researchers, engineers, policy experts, and business leaders working together to build beneficial AI systems. Anthropic is seeking an experienced Datacenter Controls Engineer to join our Infrastructure Engineering team. In this role, you will design, implement, and optimize control systems that support our global datacenter infrastructure, enabling the reliable operation of AI at scale. You will work on cutting-edge control systems managing critical datacenter operations including liquid cooling systems (CDUs/CDMs), HVAC, electrical power monitoring systems, and building automation systems. This position requires both technical depth in industrial automation and the ability to collaborate across disciplines to deliver integrated solutions for high-density AI compute infrastructure.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Electrical, Controls, Mechanical, Computer) or equivalent practical experience
7+ years of experience in control systems design and implementation for industrial automation, building automation, or datacenter systems
Deep familiarity with industrial communication protocols: BACnet, Modbus TCP/IP, OPC-UA, MQTT, SNMP, Ethernet-IP
Experience with instrumentation selection, control panel design, and control system integration
Working knowledge of network architecture including subnets, VLANs, firewall rules, and IP management
Strong documentation skills and ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams

Nice To Haves

10+ years in datacenter, critical facilities, or mission-critical infrastructure environments
Experience with liquid cooling systems including CDUs, CDMs, and cooling tower control systems
Background in high-density rack integration environments and AI/ML compute infrastructure
Experience designing or deploying BMS/SCADA systems such as Ignition, Niagara/Tridium, Wonderware, or similar
Strong background in database integration (SQL Server, InfluxDB, PostgreSQL, TimescaleDB) and data logging architecture
Proficiency in Python or scripting for automation/configuration within SCADA/BMS frameworks
Experience deploying multi-site redundant controls servers with high-availability requirements
Professional Engineering (PE) license or vendor certifications (Schneider, Rockwell, Siemens)
Knowledge of relevant codes and standards: ASHRAE, NFPA, IEEE, ISA
Familiarity with Grafana, Node-RED, Ignition Perspective, or equivalent visualization tools
Experience bridging cloud orchestration systems with facility-level power controls and load management (e.g., DCIM, BMS, EPMS)

Responsibilities

Design and implement multi-site controls architecture across Anthropic's global datacenter facilities
Define network topology, redundancy, and high-availability requirements for control nodes and servers
Develop and maintain standardized frameworks for BACnet, Modbus TCP/IP, OPC-UA, MQTT, and SNMP communication layers
Ensure integration between control systems and enterprise networks while maintaining security boundaries and compliance with cybersecurity frameworks for industrial control systems
Define, design, develop, and implement control systems for datacenter mechanical, electrical, and building management systems with focus on AI compute environments
Develop SCADA/BMS applications using platforms including Ignition, Niagara/Tridium, or similar HMI/supervisory systems
Select and specify instrumentation including sensors, transmitters, actuators, and control valves for liquid cooling loops, power distribution, and environmental monitoring
Architect and supervise deployment of centralized telemetry systems capable of storing high-resolution time-series data from power, thermal, and environmental sensors
Develop intuitive dashboards and visualization layers using Ignition SCADA, Grafana, or comparable frameworks for facilities, operations, and engineering teams
Leverage control systems to enable performance insights, fault detection, and predictive maintenance capabilities
Participate in new design and construction projects to ensure controls and BMS standards are embedded from design through commissioning
Define and review controls and instrumentation specifications in architectural and MEP packages
Create comprehensive technical documentation including P&IDs, control narratives, sequence of operations, and commissioning procedures
Validate installed systems during commissioning for proper network configuration, protocol compatibility, and data visibility