Development Project Engineer (Data Center Construction)

QTS Realty Trust; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Q‑Rest Sabbatical

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

QTS scholarship for dependents

Eagle Club Award Trip Eligibility

Paid Volunteer and Floating days

Tuition Assistance, Parental Leave and

Job summary

QTS Realty Trust is seeking a Development Project Engineer (Data Center Construction) to support design, preconstruction and construction activities on given projects. You will interact with Facilities, Contractors, Designers, Engineers, and Vendors daily, ensuring milestones, budgets and quality meet program goals.

The role requires collaboration across teams, entailing entitlement, permitting, procurement support, and executive-level updates as part of a dynamic data center build environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Construction Management or equivalent experience.
• Proficient in PowerPoint for executive updates and Excel for budgets.
• 1+ year in commercial construction practices and design-build delivery.

Responsibilities

• Assist Development leadership and Project Manager with day-to-day activities.
• Maintain budgets, schedules and status reports for multiple projects.
• Prepare monthly development program updates for executives.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to develop campus designs and budgets.
• Support entitlement and permitting needs for sites.
• Assist with scopes of work for design, construction and commissioning services.
• Evaluate pricing proposals and assist procurement and cost estimates.
• Collaborate with procurement on equipment delivery processes.
• Ensure submittals are coordinated with site stakeholders.
• Monitor project budget and cost-to-date against totals.
• Review schedules and manage teams for on-time completion.
• Review change orders and negotiate pricing.
• Assist with site security procedures and stakeholder liaison.
• Represent QTS in OAC meetings and external interactions.

Skills

PowerPoint

Excel

Verbal communication

Written communication

Multi-project management

Interpersonal skills

Team player

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Construction Management

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Who we are

As a global leader in digital infrastructure, QTS designs, builds and operates advanced data centers that support strategic AI, cloud and digital transformation initiatives. We are driven by a mission to connect the world for good and our people make it possible. Every single day, the creativity, dedication and genuine care for our communities are what push us forward and make this a truly special place to be.

It's pretty exciting to find yourself standing in a pivotal moment in time. It’s even more exciting to be out front leading it. At QTS, our world-class data centers are supporting our customers’ most strategic growth initiatives, positioning us at the forefront of today’s dynamic digital transformation. As AI and cloud drive the demand for increased speed, capacity and capability, QTS has emerged as the global digital infrastructure leader, committed to connecting the world for good. Driven by purpose and fueled by a spirit of innovation, QTS designs, builds and operates some of the world’s most advanced, forward‑thinking data centers. QTS is a portfolio company of Blackstone. QTS is Powered by People. People who play a vital role in our company’s culture, innovation and growth. People who are committed to contributing to the communities where we operate and work. People who are knowledgeable, resourceful and mission driven. Together, we do great things.

Who You Are and the Impact You Will Have

The Development Project Engineer (Data Center Construction) is primarily responsible for assisting with the design, preconstruction and construction activities on a given project(s). The Development Project Engineer (Data Center Construction) will interact on a daily basis with Facilities, Contractors, Designers, Engineers, Commissioning Agents, Vendors, and Data Center Operations & Corporate real estate staff and should have both written and oral communication skills commensurate with this level of regular communication.

What You Will Do

• Assist Development leadership and Project Manager with day to day activities and responsibilities


• Assist with multiple projects on a campus(es) and maintain updated budgets, schedules, and status reports for each


• Assist with updates on development program & project status on a monthly basis suitable for executive level reviews


• Work with QTS stakeholders, design, and construction teams to help with master development program for site(s), including a complete campus design solution and capital budget


• Assist with entitlement and permitting needs for each assigned site project(s)


• Assist with scopes of work for design, construction, commissioning services & participate in procurement and project cost estimates


• Evaluate and level pricing proposals for design, construction, and commissioning services


• Work closely with strategic procurement team on equipment procurement and delivery process


• Ensure appropriate submittals are coordinated with site stakeholders


• Assist with monitoring project budget / cost-to-date against overall project budget


• Review project schedules and manage teams to on‑time completion


• Review change order requests from contractors and negotiate pricing


• Assist with establishing site construction security procedures in conjunction with site security team


• Establish and maintain relationships serving as liaison with key QTS stakeholders


• Represent QTS Interests in OAC meetings


• Create & build relationships that enhance QTS’s ability to be a leader in creating the World’s Most Valuable Data Center Real Estate


• Aid in due diligence efforts on an as‑needed basis by participating with real estate efforts on potential or new land banks and properties, including: Evaluate opportunities to design & build new data centers by working with key stakeholders: Corporate Real Estate, Connectivity, Power & Construction teams.


• Assist with establishing and monitoring entitlement and permit processes for individual projects as needed


• Work with the internal development team to enhance project management processes and protocols

What You Will Need to be Successful (basic qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Construction Management field or equivalent professional experience


• Experience with Microsoft Office suite, specifically PowerPoint for use in communicating program updates to executive level, and Excel to create and maintain site program & individual project budgets


• One or more years of professional experience in commercial construction practices and procedures, including management of Lump Sum, Construction Management @ Risk, and Design Build project delivery methods from conceptual development through procurement to close out


• Experience or exposure in mission critical data center facilities


• Experience with management of MEP trades


• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interface with all levels of the organization


• Must be a capable, proven team player that both fosters and operates well within internal and external team environments


• Able to solve problems at a tactical and functional level


• Strong Verbal and Written Communication Skills


• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously

The Perks (and these are just a few!)

• Q‑Rest Sabbatical


• Employee Stock Purchase Plan


• QTS scholarship for dependents


• Eagle Club Award Trip Eligibility


• Paid Volunteer and Floating days


• Tuition Assistance, Parental Leave and Military Leave Assistance

Equal Opportunity and Diversity

We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or discrimination claim.

Know Your Rights and Pay Transparency

\"Know Your Rights\" Poster is included here: Know Your Rights (English) Know Your Rights (Spanish)

The pay transparency policy is available here: Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Poster-Formatted

Reasonable Accommodations

QTS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.