Electrical Engineer SME - AI Data Centers

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.

• 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.