Structural Engineer SME - AI Data Centers

About the role

This job opportunity is available at any location in the United States. Ideally, selected candidates will be near a Jacobs U.S.-based office, but we intend to hire the best candidates. As a senior subject matter expert within our Data Center team, you’ll lead structural engineering efforts across a portfolio of data center projects, including new builds and retrofits. This role is heavily client- and contractor-facing, blending technical authority with the ability to communicate and collaborate across diverse teams.

The ideal candidate thrives at the intersection of deep mission-critical engineering expertise and relationship-driven leadership—confidently navigating design, construction, and stakeholder challenges while delivering solutions that inspire trust and keep our clients at the center. You’ll serve as a key technical leader, guiding a portfolio of projects and coordinating closely with structural engineering teams. You will mentor structural leads, meet with clients and upper management, and speak directly to the status of various projects. Your expertise will shape project execution, influence design strategy, and strengthen our delivery excellence.

This role offers significant opportunity to expand your technical authority, mentor emerging talent, and grow your leadership presence as you help define the next generation of high-performance data center infrastructure. Your guidance will shape the design delivery of the team and guide our Design-Build delivery methodology.

Responsibilities

• Provide quality reviews of complex projects.
• Lead complex structural analyses and guide the selection of appropriate methodologies to ensure robust, code-compliant, and constructible design solutions.
• Develop and validate advanced structural computer models, establish modeling standards, and mentor team members in best-practice simulation techniques.
• Oversee critical calculations for member design and foundations, direct material take-offs and estimating inputs, and provide technical governance for schedules, design documentation, and interdisciplinary coordination.
• Quickly identify complex challenges, solve problems, communicate solutions, and direct junior and senior staff on best practices.
• Understand the complexities of large contracts and different contract structures, manage change orders, and advocate for the engineering team against contractor liabilities.
• Collaborate with Global Integrated Delivery (GID) teammates to maximize design, digital technology, and support capabilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• 15+ years of professional experience in structural engineering.
• Registered Professional Engineer with the ability to become registered in additional states.
• Experience with almost every building material and type, and the ability to communicate effectively at the executive level.
• Knowledge of CAD software, such as AutoCAD, Revit, MicroStation, and S3D.
• Proficiency with structural analysis software such as RISA, RamSS, or STAAD.
• Knowledge and application of ACI, AISC, ASCE 7, AIST Technical Report 13, and other industry-relevant design codes and standards.
• Proficiency with MS Office suite software, including MS Teams for remote coordination.
• Ability to travel to various client sites (approximately 10% to 40% travel).
• Proficiency reviewing and commenting on drawings in Bluebeam.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Science in Engineering.
• Registered Structural Engineer (SE) License.
• Experience with hyperscale facility design for key global clients.
• Ability to lead teams to deliver commitments on schedule, on budget, and meeting quality and client expectations.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance.
• 401(k) plan with company stock purchase options at a discount.
• Eligibility for deferred compensation plans or the Executive Deferral Plan.
• Unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees.
• Seven paid holidays and caregiver leave.
• Eligibility for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonuses, and stock for certain roles.

Pay

The base salary range for this position is $169,500.00 to $233,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Schedule

Hybrid working policy allowing employees to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations.