Lead Design Engineer - Structural Steel

Eaton Group; Woodridge (IL); Remote; USD 97,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Medical benefits

401(k)

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Learning platforms

Job summary

Eaton Corporation is seeking a Lead Design Engineer - Structural Steel for its Data Center Solutions division. This remote role with up to 10% travel focuses on tubular steel structures for whitespace infrastructure in data centers and requires advanced structural calculation fluency and code compliance.

You will design, analyze, and document structural systems, develop calculation packages, and coordinate BIM/Revit models while collaborating with MEP teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Civil, or Structural Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of five (5) years of structural engineering or engineering mechanics experience.

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze structural systems for data center whitespace infrastructure, including power distribution, containment systems, cable management, cooling equipment supports, and modular assemblies.
• Perform structural engineering calculations, member sizing, connection design, and load analysis for gravity, seismic, lateral, and dynamic loading conditions.
• Develop complete structural calculation packages, including load assessments, deflection checks, anchorage design, and supporting documentation for design reviews and approvals.
• Evaluate complex assemblies using structural analysis tools (e.g., SAP2000, FEA software) and validate results with engineering judgment and hand calculations.
• Create and coordinate structural drawings and BIM/Revit models, including fabrication details, installation plans, clash detection, and multi-discipline coordination.
• Support new product development by collaborating with mechanical and MEP teams, providing structural input, risk assessments, design‑for‑manufacturing feedback, and testing requirements.
• Serve as the structural engineering expert for customers, contractors, engineers of record, and regulators, supporting delegated design submittals, technical reviews, project proposals, and site‑specific solutions.

Skills

Structural analysis

Load calculations

Engineering mechanics

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Civil, or Structural Engineering

Tools

SAP2000

LS-DYNA

FEA software

Autodesk Revit

Autodesk Construction Cloud

Job description

Eaton’s Electrical division is currently seeking a Lead Design Engineer - Structural Steel. The position is remote, with anticipated travel of up to 10%.

Eaton's Data Center Solutions division is seeking a Lead Design Engineer - Structural Steel with proven expertise in tubular steel structure design, analysis, and documentation for data center whitespace infrastructure. This is a specialist-level individual contributor role who bring independent analytical rigor, code-level structural calculation fluency, and direct experience designing the structural systems that support overhead power, cooling, containment, and cable management infrastructure within live and new-build data center environments.

The expected annual salary range for this role is $97,000 - $143,000 a year.

Please note the salary information shown above is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

What we offer:

Eaton's Data Center Solutions division is at the center of one of the most capital-intensive infrastructure build cycles in history — powering and cooling the compute that runs AI, cloud, and enterprise applications worldwide. This Engineering Specialist role offers a structural engineer with a consulting background the opportunity to apply deep technical expertise inside a product and manufacturing organization: influencing how structural systems are designed, standardized, and scaled across thousands of data center deployments.

Eaton provides a comprehensive benefits package including competitive base salary, annual performance incentive bonus, medical/dental/vision, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and access to Eaton's learning and development platforms.

What you’ll do:

• Design and analyze structural systems for data center whitespace infrastructure, including power distribution, containment systems, cable management, cooling equipment supports, and modular assemblies.
• Perform structural engineering calculations, member sizing, connection design, and load analysis for gravity, seismic, lateral, and dynamic loading conditions.
• Develop complete structural calculation packages, including load assessments, deflection checks, anchorage design, and supporting documentation for design reviews and approvals.
• Evaluate complex assemblies using structural analysis tools (e.g., SAP2000, FEA software) and validate results with engineering judgment and hand calculations.
• Assess and modify existing infrastructure for retrofit, upgrade, and capacity expansion projects, ensuring structures can safely support new loads.
• Create and coordinate structural drawings and BIM/Revit models, including fabrication details, installation plans, clash detection, and multi-discipline coordination.
• Support new product development by collaborating with mechanical and MEP teams, providing structural input, risk assessments, design‑for‑manufacturing feedback, and testing requirements.
• Serve as the structural engineering expert for customers, contractors, engineers of record, and regulators, supporting delegated design submittals, technical reviews, project proposals, and site‑specific solutions.

This role could be the next step in your career if you demonstrate the following experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Civil, or Structural Engineering from an accredited institution
• Minimum of five (5) years of structural engineering or engineering mechanics experience.

You will set yourself apart by demonstrating some or all of the following:

• Master's degree in Structural Engineering with thesis or research focus in steel structures, connection design, or structural dynamics.
• PE (Professional Engineer) licensure preferred
• Direct experience designing overhead whitespace infrastructure for data centers: containment frames, busway and cable tray support structures, cooling pipe support systems, and related non-building structural assemblies.
• Familiarity with AISC Design Guide series relevant to HSS connections, torsion, and welded steel construction.

Position Success Criteria:

• Strong background in structural analysis, structural dynamics, structural design, and engineering mechanics for with structural systems in data center, mission‑critical, industrial, or manufacturing facility environments — specifically overhead support structures, non‑building structures, or equipment support platforms is required.
• Proficiencyinstructural analysis software: SAP2000, LS‑DYNA, or equivalentframe/FEA tools;abilitytovalidatesoftwareoutputwithhandcalculations.
• WorkingknowledgeofAutodeskRevit for structural modeling andAutodeskConstructionCloud (ACC) for multi‑discipline coordination.

Wewillnotconsidercandidateswho:

• Eaton willnotconsider applicants for employment immigration sponsorshiporsupportfor thisposition.ThismeansthatEatonwillnotsupportanyCPT,OPT,orSTEMOPTplans,F‑1toH‑1B,H‑1Bcapregistration,O‑1,E‑3,TNstatus,I‑485job portability, etc.#LI‑LR1

Allpositionsmayrequireparticipationinvideoandin‑personinterviewsaspartofthehiringprocess.Allcandidateswillbeevaluatedbasedonjob‑relatedcompetencies,andallcandidates’privacyrightsanddatasecuritywillbeprotectedinaccordancewithapplicablelaws.

The application window for this position is anticipated to close on 9/30/2026.

Wearecommittedtoensuringequal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job‑related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

Eatonbelievesinsecond chance employment.Qualifiedapplicantswith arrest or conviction history will be considered regardless of their arrest or conviction history, consistentwiththe LosAngeles County Fair Chance Ordinance,the California Fair Chance Actandother local laws.

You do not need to disclose your conviction history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, ifEatonis concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, youwill begiventhechanceto explainthe circumstancessurroundingthe conviction,providemitigating evidence, or challengethe accuracyof the background report.

To request a disability‑related reasonable accommodation to assist you in your job search, application, or interviewprocess,pleasecallusat1-800-836‑6345to discuss your specificneed.Onlyaccommodationrequestswillbeacceptedbythisphonenumber.

Weknow that good benefit programs are importantto employeesandtheir families.EatonprovidesvariousHealth andWelfare benefitsaswellasRetirementbenefitsandseveralprograms thatprovideforpaidandunpaidtimeaway fromwork.Clickherefor more detail:EatonBenefitsOverview.Pleasenotethatspecificprogramsandoptionsavailabletoanemployeemaydependoneligibilityfactorssuchas geographiclocation, dateofhire, andthe applicabilityofcollective bargainingagreements.