Power System Controls Engineer – Data Centers

Jacobs; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision insurance

401(k) plan with company match

Employee stock purchase plan

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Power System Controls Engineer to support data center power systems, including battery energy storage and UPS integration. You will work with regional and global teams, defining specifications, modeling, and conducting studies to optimize reliability and interconnection compliance for hyperscale facilities.

You will collaborate with equipment manufacturers, utilities, and EPC contractors through feasibility, design, procurement, commissioning, and performance assessment

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant experience in BESS, power systems engineering, grid integration, microgrids, or mission-critical electrical infrastructure.
• Direct experience in controls hierarchy and specifications of utility-scale plants, BESS sizing, performance assessment and electrical integration.
• Hands-on power system and controls modeling using PSCAD/EMTDC, PSS/E, ETAP or equivalent.
• Working knowledge of NEC, NESC, IEEE, IEC, NFPA, utility interconnection requirements including NFPA 855, UL 9540/9540A.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, technical writing, and presentation skills; able to communicate to technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
• Ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams, OEMs, consultants, and contractors across concurrent projects.
• Willingness to travel for client meetings, factory testing, commissioning, and site activities.

Responsibilities

• Define AI data center plant control hierarchy and establish functional specifications.
• Collaborate with controls and inverter manufacturers on latest technologies.
• Develop integrated power system models on RMS and EMT platforms.
• Conduct power system studies from BESS sizing to transients.
• Support commissioning through SIL/HIL testing and utility witness testing.
• Deliver reports, manage scope/budget, and contribute to proposals and knowledge sharing.

Skills

Power systems engineering

Controls integration

Analytical troubleshooting

Technical writing

Presentation skills

Team coordination

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering

Professional registration such as PE or PEng

Tools

PSCAD/EMTDC

PSS/E

ETAP

RTDS

OPAL-RT

Typhoon HIL

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 setup 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

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well‑being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has a U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full‑time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $145,200.00 to $199,700.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

At Jacobs, we’re partnering across the globe to create the best project outcomes by maximizing the design, digital technology, and support capabilities of our Global Integrated Delivery (GID) teammates. By joining Jacobs, you’ll commit to supporting and engaging with these teams, as we work to build a company like no other.

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.