Programming & Automation Engineer

Job Purpose

• The Programming & Automation Engineer is responsible for the design, programming, integration, and commissioning of BMS and IoT-enabled smart building solutions.

• The role ensures reliable automation, secure data integration, and seamless interoperability across HVAC, lighting, energy, and smart services systems.

• The position supports optimized building performance, energy efficiency, and centralized monitoring while ensuring compliance with project specifications, industry standards, and cybersecurity best practices.

Job Details

Roles, Responsibilities, Duties

Programming & Automation Engineer

BMS Programming & Automation

• Design, develop, modify, and maintain control logic for BMS, DDC/PLC controllers, and IoT platforms.
• Program and configure field controllers, gateways, and edge devices.
• Optimize control strategies to improve energy efficiency, system reliability, and occupant comfort.
• Maintain system backups, version control, and recovery procedures.

System Integration & Interoperability

• Integrate HVAC, lighting, energy meters, access control, fire alarm (via gateways), and ELV systems into centralized platforms
• Configure and manage communication protocols including BACnet, Modbus, KNX, LonWorks, MQTT, REST APIs, and OPC.
• Support retrofits, upgrades, and migration of legacy BMS systems.

Commissioning, Testing & Troubleshooting

• Perform system commissioning, functional testing, and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT).
• Validate data accuracy from sensors and field devices.
• Diagnose system faults, conduct root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.

IoT, Dashboards & Analytics

• Support integration of IoT sensors for occupancy, IAQ, energy, water, and asset monitoring.
• Develop dashboards, trends, alarms, and reports for operational and management use.
• Enable data analysis and reporting to support energy, performance, and sustainability objectives.

User Interface, Alarm & Access Management

• Design and configure BMS and IoT graphical user interfaces, including floor plans, equipment graphics, and dashboards.
• Configure alarm priorities, escalation rules, and acknowledgment workflows while minimizing nuisance alarms.
• Define and manage role-based access control (RBAC) in line with cybersecurity and IT policies.

Command & Control Centre Support

• Configure centralized command and control views across multiple buildings or sites.
• Develop summary and drill-down screens for system health, alarms, and performance indicators.
• Support integration of third-party systems into a unified monitoring environment.

Coordination, Documentation & Training

• Coordinate with project managers, site teams, vendors, and clients to ensure effective system delivery
• Prepare technical documentation, logic descriptions, as-built drawings, and operating manuals.
• Conduct operator training and provide ongoing technical support as required.

Occupational and workplace Health and Safety responsibilities:

• In addition to all job specific responsibilities, all employees are required to adhere to all Khidmah health, safety and environmental (HSE) policies, procedures, practices, and relevant legal and statutory health, safety and environmental requirements and obligations. All employees are personally responsible to familiarize themselves with these policies, procedures, practices, updates, etc. Khidmah HSE department regularly updates existing and introduce new policies, procedures and practices and each employee is personally responsible to ensure they stay updated and compliant with all such updates and new additions.

Information Security responsibilities:

• Comply with Khidmah Information Security Policies
• Be aware of and fulfil their information security responsibilities
• Ensure whoever handles sensitive company information have taken the Security Awareness Training
• Know how to report a security incident (to IT ServiceDesk or InfoSec).
• Not Disable his/her OS firewall and/or Antivirus
• Restrict use to authorized purposes, Protect access accounts, privileges and associated passwords.
• Accept accountability of his/her individual user accounts, and maintain confidentiality

Industry Experience (No. of years):

• 37 years of experience in BMS, building automation, and smart building or IoT projects across commercial or mixed-use environments.

Position/functional experience (No. of years):

• 35 years of hands-on experience in BMS programming, system integration, commissioning, and troubleshooting of HVAC and ELV systems.

Competencies and Skills:

Technical

Strong knowledge of BMS architecture, control logic, and automation systems.

Proficiency in BMS programming tools and integration protocols (BACnet, Modbus, KNX, MQTT).

Good understanding of HVAC systems, energy management, and smart building technologies.

Basic knowledge of IP networking and cybersecurity practices.

Professional

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Effective communication and technical documentation abilities.

Ability to work independently and within multidisciplinary teams.

Client-focused approach with attention to quality and deadlines.

Qualification:

• Bachelor's Degree in Automation, Instrumentation, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.

• BMS, automation, or IoT certifications are preferred.