Electrical Engineer SME - AI Data Centers

About the role

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good. Your impact

Key Contributions

• Technical Leadership & Power Systems Lead upfront power systems planning with hyperscale clients — defining MV/LV distribution architecture, redundancy strategies (2N, N+1, 2(N+1)), and utility interconnection approaches aligned with owner reliability and sustainability requirements.
• Drive the full power chain from medium-voltage switchgear through UPS, generator paralleling, transfer switching, PDUs, and busway; lead power systems studies including short-circuit analysis, protective device coordination, arc flash per IEEE 1584, and load flow modeling using ETAP, SKM PowerTools, or equivalent.
• Champion innovation in power efficiency, BESS integration, renewable energy, and AI/GPU power density scaling to 20–60+ kW per rack; develop and maintain Jacobs' electrical standards, master specifications, and calculation libraries for the data center practice.
• Provide technical governance for electrical deliverables across discipline teams and GID partners — reviewing calculations, drawings, and submittals for quality and code compliance; support commissioning and integrated systems testing (IST) of critical power systems.

Strategic Impact & Business Development

• Act as the external face of Jacobs' electrical expertise — presenting at client workshops and industry forums including AFCOM, 7x24 Exchange, Uptime Institute, and IEEE; participate in RFP responses and competitive presentations that translate complex power systems engineering into strategic narrative for owner-side decision-makers.
• Partner with business development and delivery leadership to win high-value data center programs through technical differentiation, proposal content, and articulation of Jacobs' power systems value proposition.
• Influence Jacobs' delivery strategy through identification of emerging power system technologies, evolving hyperscale client requirements, and technical differentiation opportunities.

Mentorship, Standards & Design-Build Delivery

• Mentor and coach electrical engineers and designers within the data center practice; build and sustain an internal knowledge base of reusable calculation packages, specification libraries, and reference designs that improve delivery quality and velocity.
• Represent Jacobs in IEEE Power and Energy Society, NFPA, 7x24 Exchange, and Uptime Institute; contribute to industry working groups, standards development, and external thought leadership through technical publications and conference presentations.
• Balance strategic initiatives with hands-on project execution; apply technical authority within Design-Build delivery structures — advocating for design intent under contractor challenge and ensuring compliance with NEC (NFPA 70), NFPA 110, NFPA 72, IEEE 3000-series, NESC, IEC, and Uptime Institute Tier classification criteria.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from an ABET-accredited program; Master's degree preferred.
• PE License (Required) Active Electrical PE licensure in at least one U.S. state; NCEES record maintained for reciprocal licensure. PE is a condition of employment — candidates without active licensure will not be advanced.
• 20+ years of professional electrical engineering; 15+ years focused on mission-critical data center or advanced technology facility design.
• Proven expertise in MV/LV distribution design, UPS topology selection, generator plant sizing and paralleling, transfer switching, and electrical redundancy architecture for Tier III and Tier IV facilities.
• Proficiency with ETAP, SKM PowerTools, or EasyPower — short-circuit studies, protective device coordination, arc flash analysis per IEEE 1584, and load flow modeling.
• Codes & Standards NEC (NFPA 70), NFPA 110, NFPA 72, IEEE 3000-series, NESC, IEC standards, and Uptime Institute Tier classification requirements.
• Tools & Delivery AutoCAD Electrical, Revit MEP, Bluebeam, BIM 360 or Autodesk Construction Cloud; demonstrated ability to manage design intent within Design-Build and EPCM contract structures.

Desired Skills

• Hyperscale clients Delivered electrical infrastructure for hyperscale, colocation, or enterprise DC programs with Microsoft, Google, Meta, Amazon, or Equinix.
• AI/GPU and energy High-density power distribution at 20–60+ kW per rack; 400V busway, overhead PDU; BESS, on-site renewables, demand response, and PUE/WUE/ERE optimization.
• Commissioning FAT/SAT and IST experience for large generator plants, UPS systems, and critical power systems on hyperscale programs.
• Industry presence Active participation in IEEE PES, 7x24 Exchange, AFCOM, or Uptime Institute; published technical papers or conference presentations in mission-critical power engineering.

Work Environment

Primarily office-based with up to 10% - 15% travel to project sites and client locations; on-call availability for active commissioning programs and critical electrical system support.

A collaborative, multi-discipline EPC environment with close coordination across mechanical, structural, civil, and program management teams and regular engagement with GID delivery teammates across global time zones.