Lead Design Engineer - Structural Steel

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Annual performance incentive bonus

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Learning & development platforms

Job summary

Eaton’s Data Center Solutions division seeks a Lead Design Engineer - Structural Steel to design and analyze structural systems for data center whitespace infrastructure, including support structures, containment frames, cable trays, and mounting for cooling equipment. This specialist role requires deep code-level calculations and experience with live data-center environments.

Remote work with up to 10% travel; proficiency in SAP2000/FEA, Revit, and MEP coordination is essential; PE license is

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Civil, or Structural Engineering from an accredited institution.
• PE licensure preferred
• Experience designing overhead whitespace infrastructure for data centers is a plus.

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 with load assessments, deflection checks, anchorage design, and documentation for design reviews and approvals.
• Coordinate structural drawings and BIM/Revit models, including fabrication details, installation plans, clash detection, and multi-discipline coordination.

Skills

Structural analysis

FEA

SAP2000

Revit

LS-DYNA

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Civil/Structural Engineering

Master's degree in Structural Engineering

Tools

SAP2000

LS-DYNA

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 institutionMinimum 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 preferredDirect 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.Proficiency in structural analysis software: SAP2000, LS-DYNA, or equivalent frame/FEA tools; ability to validate software output with hand calculations.Working knowledge of Autodesk Revit for structural modeling and Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) for multi-discipline coordination.We will not consider candidates who:Eaton will not consider applicants for employment immigration sponsorship or support for this position. This means that Eaton will not support any CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT plans, F-1 to H-1B, H-1B cap registration, O-1, E-3, TN status, I-485 job portability, etc. #LI-LR1All positions may require participation in video and in-person interviews as part of the hiring process. All candidates will be evaluated based on job-related competencies, and all candidates’ privacy rights and data security will be protected in accordance with applicable laws.The application window for this position is anticipated to close on 9/30/2026.We are committed to ensuring equal 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.Eaton believes in second chance employment. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction history will be considered regardless of their arrest or conviction history, consistent with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act and other 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, if Eaton is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.To request a disability-related reasonable accommodation to assist you in your job search, application, or interview process, please call us at 1-800-836-6345 to discuss your specific need. Only accommodation requests will be accepted by this phone number.We know that good benefit programs are important to employees and their families. Eaton provides various Health and Welfare benefits as well as Retirement benefits, and several programs that provide for paid and unpaid time away from work. Click here for more detail: Eaton Benefits Overview. Please note that specific programs and options available to an employee may depend on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.