Solution Development Engineer- Controls or Fire

As a Solution Development Engineer at Johnson Controls, you will support pre-sales development for complex building projects focused on Controls and Fire Alarm solutions, driving engineering expertise and customer satisfaction. This role involves leading system design, application, and cost estimation, while collaborating closely with sales teams to present tailored solutions. With a focus on innovation and cross-training, you will thrive in a collaborative environment that prioritizes personal and professional growth.

Build your best future with the Johnson Controls team

As a global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet.  Join a winning team that enables you to build your best future Our teams are uniquely positioned to support a multitude of industries across the globe. You will have the opportunity to develop yourself through meaningful work projects and learning opportunities. We strive to provide our employees with an experience, focused on supporting their physical, financial, and emotional wellbeing. Become a member of the Johnson Controls family and thrive in an empowering company culture where your voice and ideas will be heard – your next great opportunity is just a few clicks away

What we offer

• Competitive salary and bonus plan

• Paid vacation/holidays/sicktime - 15 days of vacation first year

• Comprehensive benefits package including 401K, medical, dental, and vision care - Available day one

• Extensive product and on the job/cross training opportunities With outstanding resources

• Encouraging and collaborative team environment

• Dedication to safety through our Zero Harm policy

• Check us Out:  A Day in a Life at Johnson Controls:

What you will do

The Johnson Controls Global Center of Excellence (GCOE) Major Projects team provides pre-sales system and project development engineering services for large complex building projects. We develop and deliver leading building, business and vertical market solutions and engineering expertise driving value for sales partners and customers. The team brings a consultative and service-oriented approach, as well as engineering development discipline through standard processes and tools. Serving all of Johnson Controls’ priority vertical markets and sales channels in North America, the Systems Development Engineer position is an integral part of our digital growth strategy. 

As a key member of the Systems Development Engineering team, you will partner with some of the best minds in the industry to create innovative solutions focused on customers' needs.  You will help deliver on aggressive growth objectives, driving higher product value and margin.  Our high-performing team needs you to bring your expertise to complement and further differentiate our industry-leading offerings. The business supports Controls, Fire and Security projects. This position will focus on projects across North America. This is a virtual position but must live within the United States and Canada.

How you will do it

Under general direction, leads the pre-sales development process for Johnson Controls Metasys Building Automation System (BAS) solutions or Simplex Fire Alarm solutions, supporting the Above-Area Sales Channels across North America.  We are open to hiring for either type of skill set.  Project types include new construction plan-spec, existing facility retrofits and design-build opportunities.

Administers the Major Projects project development process for opportunities across North America. Reinforces methodology and skills used to collect, analyze and present solutions, designs, scopes and cost estimates.  Provides input to the sales management organization for opportunity prioritization, qualification and requirements for project development.  Provides technical sales assistance to opportunities currently in the sales process. Coordinates pre-bid and pre-book estimate reviews and manages the project cost data through the booking process and release meeting.

Provides Johnson Controls Metasys BAS or Simplex Fire Alarm solutions along with other system application support and systems development for the Above Market Sales Channels.  Uses available tools to assemble detailed applications for the customer contract, including the project development files associated with Selection Navigator, engineering designs, materials lists, and subcontractor bids as necessary.

Project responsibilities include pre-sales design support, cost development, applications engineering and product selection, specification interpretation and development, electrical subcontractor RFP generation, subcontractor evaluation, proposal development and team coordination, project financial and execution risk management strategies, value engineering, customer satisfaction and project success.

Reviews solution application and cost of work estimates with salesperson and appropriate operations team to get mutual agreement on application.  Develops consensus/buy-in from sales and operations teams before presentation to customer.  Assists the sales team in communicating JCI’s technical value proposition and presenting BAS or Fire Alarm solutions to the customer.

Provides scope definition and systems development direction for outside vendors and suppliers, mechanical and electrical subcontractors including scope, terms and conditions, bid forms, and contract reviews. Maintains relationships with key individuals to ensure preferred pricing where possible. 

Assist in identifying specification issues or interpretation discrepancies and providing solutions to resolve.  Develops system schematics, scope and cost estimate for system installation projects. Works with salesperson to develop understanding of customer requirements, critical areas and needs. Develops common orientation of job scope and details. There may be limited travel to customer sites to perform site-surveys in existing buildings to inspect overall operation of systems and unique job considerations for construction.

Demonstrates ability to design BAS or Fire Alarm systems for design-build project applications. Develops specifications, system diagrams, and sequence of operations documentation for submission into project documents. Creates integration roadmap and system network architecture using Visio visualization software.

For the BAS solutions skill set:Understand the current HVAC and BAS Industry and its future trends of smart building technologies for the following concepts and design:

Knowledge of solution development, design, application and cost estimating for the centralized control and monitoring of connected building systems related to HVAC mechanical systems and electrical systems

Ability to design the system architecture and network as it relates to the BACnet MS/TP, BACnet/IP, Ethernet/IP, IT/OT network BAS sub systems

Experience with critical environment and laboratory control systems

Integration solutions of systems and technologies including Security, Fire and Lighting Controls

Identifying the scope of work associated with miscellaneous control wiring requirements for various mechanical and electrical building sub systems

Experience with cost-effective, UL-864 code compliance Smoke Control Systems

Stays abreast of new BAS technologies as well as integrated BAS solutions.

Participates in ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating Air-Conditioning Engineers) and other relevant professional organizations.

For the Fire Alarm solutions skill set:Understand the Fire Alarm Industry currently and its future trends in the following for concepts and design:

Knowledge of Simplex product line specifically Simplex 4100ES design, application and pricing.

 VESDA:  Knowledge of Xtrailis product line, design, application.

Smoke Control Systems:  Knowledge of UUKL/UL864 smoke control design and integration to Building Automation Systems

Maintains relationships with key fire suppliers and stay abreast of new fire alarm technologies and compliance with applicable codes and standards (NFPA, IBC, etc) based on the project location.

Interfaces with JCI OpenBlue Digital team to define integrated automation and cloud-based analytic software solutions. Participates in customer meetings to identify stakeholder needs and incorporate feedback into design. Participates in vendor coordination meetings to identify and mitigate scope overlaps/gaps. Supports JCI operations team during project turnover meetings and provides technical support during system installation phase.

Performs detailed engineering or cost impact analysis to quantify cost savings or other customer benefits.  Assists in technical or financial benchmarking as needed. 

Consults with sales and operations team to appropriately assess project financial and execution risk.  Makes recommendations to sales team for cost effective solutions to mitigate any identified risk. Regularly updates sales and operations team on current and potential risks and recommends appropriate mitigation activities

Ensures the adherence to the Project Development process and use of standard tools and software.

Acts as a liaison between Sales and System Engineering team to assess the strengths and weaknesses of selected products and product applications.

Evaluates value-engineering options related to the Building Automation System or Fire Alarm System associated with mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.

Participates in turnover meetings with the assigned Project Manager.  Ensures that the Project Manager understands the technical solutions sold.  Provides all documentation and specification related details.

 What we look for

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Engineering Technology. 

• Demonstrated computer and analytical skills. 

• Background in Installation Operations as an Application Engineer or as an Installation Project Manager preferred. 

• Five to seven years plus in Controls sales/operations experience with HVAC systems and project cost development of Building Automation Systems (BAS) [Automatic Temperature Controls (ATC), Building Management Systems (BMS)]

OR

• Five to seven years plus in Fire Alarm sales/operations experience with design, installation and commissioning of fire alarm systems.  Requires a minimum of NICET Level III certification. 

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Building Automation, Fire Alarm Systems, Controls Engineering, Project Development, HVAC Systems, Technical Sales, Engineering Solutions, System Design, Cost Estimation, Smart Buildings