Senior PLC Solutions Engineer

Acuity Inc. (NYSE: AYI) is a market-leading industrial technology company. We use technology to solve problems in spaces, light and more things to come. Through our two business segments, Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) and Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS), we design, manufacture, and bring to market products and services that make a valuable difference in people’s lives.

We achieve growth through the development of innovative new products and services, including lighting, lighting controls, building management solutions, and an audio, video and control platform. We focus on customer outcomes and drive growth and productivity to increase market share and deliver superior returns. We look to aggressively deploy capital to grow the business and to enter attractive new verticals.

Acuity Inc. is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with operations across North America, Europe and Asia. The Company is powered by approximately 13,000 dedicated and talented associates. Visit us at www.acuityinc.com.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Engineered Solutions group, the Senior PLC Solutions Engineer is responsible for developing, validating, and maintaining reusable PLC application libraries, reference implementations, and engineering standards that accelerate customer deployment and increase adoption of Distech Controls’ Data Center solutions.

This role serves as a bridge between Product Management, R&D, Sales Engineering, and customers, transforming platform capabilities into scalable, customer-ready solutions. The successful candidate will combine strong PLC development expertise with industrial networking, system integration, and Data Center application knowledge to create validated solutions for mission-critical environments.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

Solution Development & Validation

• Develop reusable PLC application libraries, software modules, templates, and reference implementations for Data Center applications.
• Create and validate customer-ready control solutions that improve deployment consistency and reduce engineering effort.
• Establish engineering standards, development guidelines, testing methodologies, and technical documentation.
• Collaborate with Product Management and R&D to transform platform capabilities into deployable solutions.
• Support demonstration systems, proof-of-concept projects, and solution validation activities.
• Contribute to a "build once, scale many" approach that accelerates customer adoption and deployment readiness.

PLC Controls, Ignition & System Integration

• Develop PLC applications using CODESYS and IEC 61131-3 programming languages, including Structured Text (ST), Function Block Diagram (FBD), Sequential Function Chart (SFC), and Ladder Logic.
• Design and validate integrations between PLC, SCADA, BMS, DCIM, cloud, and enterprise systems.
• Design and support supervisory control, visualization, and monitoring solutions utilizing Ignition and Ignition Edge.
• Support architectures leveraging Modbus, EtherCAT, MQTT, Sparkplug B, OPC UA, BACnet/IP, Redfish, REST APIs, and related industrial technologies.
• Contribute to secure, scalable, and interoperable industrial automation solutions.

Data Center Solutions

• Support the development of solutions for mission-critical Data Center applications, including cooling systems, liquid cooling technologies, pumping systems, energy optimization, and electrical infrastructure monitoring.
• Develop reusable application patterns and reference solutions that can be replicated across multiple customer deployments.
• Collaborate with customers, partners, and internal teams to validate requirements and improve solution readiness.
• Provide technical expertise for strategic Data Center opportunities involving advanced controls and automation applications.

Skills and Minimum Experience Required

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent industry experience.
• 7+ years of experience in PLC programming, controls engineering, industrial automation, or system integration.
• Strong experience with PLC platforms and industrial control systems.
• Advanced experience with CODESYS and IEC 61131-3 programming methodologies.
• Experience developing reusable software components, application libraries, or standardized control applications.
• Experience with industrial communication protocols including Modbus, EtherCAT, MQTT, Sparkplug B, OPC UA, BACnet/IP, and related technologies.
• Experience integrating PLC, SCADA, BMS, DCIM, cloud, or enterprise systems.
• Experience designing, deploying, or supporting Ignition and Ignition Edge solutions.
• Strong understanding of industrial networking, cybersecurity, and secure remote access architectures.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and technical documentation skills.
• Bilingual French and English: To serve clients and external service providers across Canada and USA

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with Data Center infrastructure and mission-critical facilities.
• Knowledge of cooling plants, cooling towers, CRAH/CRAC systems, liquid cooling technologies, pumping systems, and electrical distribution monitoring.
• Experience supporting enterprise-scale or hyperscale Data Center deployments.
• Experience with Git, Docker, Kubernetes, Azure, AWS, or edge computing technologies.
• Industry certifications related to industrial automation, networking, cybersecurity, or Data Center operations.

Other

• Valid passport required.
• Ability to travel internationally when required.
• Travel up to 10-15% to support customer engagements, validation activities, internal collaboration sessions, and industry events.
• Flexibility to adapt to evolving technologies, market opportunities, and customer requirements.

We value diversity and are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regards to race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, ethnicity or national origin, disability, pregnancy, religion, covered veteran status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Accommodation for Applicants with Disabilities: As an equal opportunity employer, Acuity Brands is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in its application process for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you have difficulty using our online system due to a disability and need an accommodation, you may contact us at (770) 922-9000, select option 4. Please clearly indicate what type of accommodation you are requesting and for what requisition.

Any unsolicited resumes sent to Acuity Inc. from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to an Acuity Inc. mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Acuity Inc. employees, or to Acuity Inc. resume database will be considered Acuity Inc. property. Acuity Inc. will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.

Knowledge of French is required for positions permanently located in Quebec so incumbents can communicate with their colleagues and suppliers in Quebec as necessary. French-language training is offered to all incumbents in permanent positions in Quebec who do not have a good knowledge of French.

Acuity Inc. will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search.