Electrical Engineer SME - AI Data Centers

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

This position is open at any U.S. location near a Jacobs office. We intend to hire the best candidate regardless of geography.

About The Role

At Jacobs, we never settle — we push boundaries, elevate standards, and deliver with purpose.

Power is the foundational constraint of every hyperscale data center program, and the Electrical SME is the technical authority Jacobs and its clients depend on to solve it. You will shape electrical infrastructure strategy from utility interconnection through to IT equipment receptacle — medium-voltage distribution, UPS topology, generator plant design, switchgear paralleling, arc flash safety programs, and the escalating power density demands of AI and GPU-dense compute environments.

This role blends deep power systems expertise with client-facing leadership, strategic pursuit involvement, and discipline mentorship across a portfolio of hyperscale and mission-critical programs.

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.

Here's what you'll need

• Education 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.
• Experience 20+ years of professional electrical engineering; 15+ years focused on mission-critical data center or advanced technology facility design.
• Power Systems 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.
• Power Analysis Tools 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.

Ideally, You'll Also Have

• 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.
• 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.

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan.

Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $191,300.00 to $263,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on May 07, 2025. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.