Power System Controls Engineer – Data Centers

Jacobs; Burnaby; Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs in Burnaby, BC, Canada seeks a Power System Controls Engineer to design, model, integrate and validate the data center controls ecosystem, including BESS, UPS, and related equipment, with emphasis on AI and hyperscale facilities. You will define specifications and work with utility interfaces to meet interconnection requirements.

You will collaborate with regional and global teams, data-center owners, utilities, and EPC partners from feasibility through commissioning and performance

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering with strong power systems knowledge.
• At least five years in BESS, power systems, grid integration, microgrids, or critical electrical infra.
• Experience with PSCAD/EMTDC, PSS/E, ETAP or equivalent tools.
• Knowledge of NEC/NESC/IEEE/IEC/NFPA and interconnection requirements.
• Ability to communicate engineering decisions to diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Define AI data center plant control hierarchy and specs for load swings, faults, trips.
• Collaborate with controls and inverter manufacturers on latest technologies.
• Develop integrated power system models on RMS/EMT platforms.
• Conduct studies from BESS sizing to transients.
• Support commissioning with SIL/HIL testing, FAT/SAT, and performance testing.
• Prepare reports, manage scope, schedule, budget, and contribute to proposals.

Skills

Analytical skills

Troubleshooting

Technical writing

Presentation skills

Team coordination

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering (preferred)

Tools

PSCAD/EMTDC

PSS/E

ETAP

Job description

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

At Jacobs, we bring engineering expertise, fresh thinking, and collaboration to complex energy challenges. Join us in developing power systems that support the next generation of data centers and advanced facilities while advancing reliability and resilience.

Your impact

Jacobs’ Energy & Power business is seeking a Power System Controls Engineer to support conceptual planning, design, modeling, integration, and validation of Data Center controls ecosystem including battery energy storage systems (BESS), UPS, and other controllable equipment with a particular focus on AI and hyperscale facilities.

You’ll help clients set up technical and functional specifications, define how BESS operates alongside utility supplies and onsite generation to comply with large load interconnection, performance and other applicable technical requirements.

Working with Jacobs’ regional and global teams, data-center owners, equipment manufacturers, utilities, and EPC contractors, you’ll support projects from feasibility and conceptual design through procurement, detailed engineering, commissioning, and operational performance assessment.

Your responsibilities will include

• Define and establish overall AI data center plant control hierarchy and support establishing functional/performance specifications, acceptance criteria for load swings, faults, trips etc.;
• Work closely with state-of-the-art controls and inverter manufacturers to stay on top of all latest and greatest technologies;
• Develop integrated power system models on RMS and EMT platforms;
• Perform a range of power system studies from BESS optimal sizing to transients;
• Support project commissioning through SIL/HIL testing, FAT/SAT, capacity and efficiency testing, integrated systems testing, and utility witness testing. This will be part of larger team of experts and only focused on controls system.
• Support team work and project delivery. Deliver clear reports and client presentations, manage assigned scope, schedule, budget, and risks, and contribute to proposals and knowledge sharing across Jacobs.

Here's what you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related discipline, with a strong foundation in power systems, circuit theory, power electronics, and controls.

• At least five years of relevant experience in BESS, power systems engineering, grid integration, microgrids, or mission-critical electrical infrastructure, including direct involvement in BESS projects.
• Direct experience in controls hierarchy and specifications of utility scale plants, BESS sizing, performance assessment and electrical integration. Understanding of UPS operating modes, onsite generation, protective relaying, utility interfaces, and their influence on facility performance during normal operation, disturbances, and transfers.
• Hands-on power system and controls modeling and analysis experience using tools such as PSCAD/EMTDC, PSS®E, ETAP, or equivalent platforms.
• Working knowledge of applicable NEC, NESC, IEEE, IEC, NFPA, utility, and regional interconnection requirements, together with familiarity with NFPA 855, UL 9540, and UL 9540A fire-test evidence.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, technical writing, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate engineering decisions to technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
• Ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams, OEMs, consultants, and contractors across concurrent projects while maintaining safety, quality, and delivery commitments.
• Willingness to travel for client meetings, factory testing, commissioning, and project-site activities.

Ideally, you’ll also have

• A master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, Power Electronics, or Controls, and professional registration such as PE or PEng.
• Priority will be given to candidates from a BESS OEM, or bringing recent BESS OEM experience, particularly those with experience in power systems engineering, applications engineering, inverter or plant controls, grid integration, product validation, or commissioning.
• SIL/CHIL experience using RTDS, OPAL-RT, or Typhoon HIL; familiarity with RTAC-based integration, network protocols, oscilloscopes, and hardware/software debugging.
• Experience with SCADA, EMS, and electrical monitoring interfaces, including IEC 61850, signal lists, data models, command arbitration, and protection-control

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.