Principal Data Center Forensic Engineer

Switch; Las Vegas (NV); Remote; USD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

Industry-leading benefits

Career growth opportunity

Remote-friendly culture

Karma-based culture

Job summary

Switch is seeking a Principal Data Center Forensic Engineer to serve as the technical authority for forensic investigations of mission-critical infrastructure events. You will lead high-severity investigations and determine true root causes to eliminate systemic risks across the fleet.

The role operates at enterprise scope, partnering with Operations, Controls, Engineering, Reliability, and OEM teams to implement durable corrective actions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Controls Engineering is required.
• 12+ years of experience in hyperscale or mission-critical environments.
• Deep expertise in electrical and mechanical system behavior and failure mechanisms.
• Mastery of structured root cause analysis and forensic investigation techniques.
• Strong ability to interpret large operational datasets and telemetry.

Responsibilities

• Lead forensic investigations into major incidents across data center regions.
• Reconstruct event timelines using evidence, telemetry, trip data, logs, and sequences.
• Produce clear, evidence-based forensic reports for executives and tech leadership.
• Identify patterns and define systemic risk statements across sites and equipment.
• Drive containment and corrective actions fleet-wide to resolve issues.
• Establish and maintain forensic investigation standards and templates.
• Mentor engineers and strengthen investigative capability across the organization.

Skills

Systems thinking

Root cause analysis

Forensic investigations

Technical reporting

Education

Electrical/Mechanical/Controls Engineering degree

Job description

At Switch, we don't just design, build and operate data centers—we are enabling the technology of the future. Led by Founder & CEO, Rob Roy, we believe in revolutionary innovation, operational excellence and the principle of karma. Switch is where talented people come together to EVOLVE the digital world.

We believe that innovation isn't just about technology - it's about the people, culture, and purpose that make it happen. Every Switch team member contributes to a mission greater than themselves: to create the world's most advanced digital infrastructure that powers the progress of humanity.

The Role: Principal Data Center Forensic Engineer

This role serves as Switch's technical authority for forensic investigation of mission-critical infrastructure events. You lead high-severity investigations across electrical, mechanical, cooling, and controls systems, determine true root causes, and ensure systemic risks are permanently eliminated across the fleet. The role operates at enterprise scope and influences standards, containment strategy, and long-term reliability improvements without direct people management responsibility.

What You’ll Do

• Lead forensic investigations into major incidents, equipment failures, and operational anomalies across all data center regions.
• Reconstruct event timelines and failure sequences using physical evidence, telemetry, protection trip data, logs, and sequence-of-events records.
• Produce clear, evidence-based forensic reports for executive and technical leadership.
• Identify recurring patterns across sites, equipment classes, vendors, or configurations and define systemic risk statements.
• Drive containment and corrective actions to ensure systemic issues are permanently resolved fleet-wide.
• Apply structured root cause methodologies to determine underlying failure mechanisms.
• Conduct on-site inspections, component evaluations, and condition assessments when required.
• Validate findings against system design intent, operating constraints, and expected behavior.
• Establish and maintain forensic investigation standards, templates, and documentation frameworks.
• Partner with Operations, Controls, Engineering, Reliability, and OEM partners to implement durable corrective actions.
• Mentor engineers and strengthen investigative capability across the organization.

What We’re Looking For

• Enterprise-level authority in forensic engineering and mission-critical failure analysis.
• Ability to remain objective and disciplined during high-visibility investigations.
• Strong systems thinking across electrical, mechanical, and controls domains.
• Clear, direct communication of complex technical findings.
• Commitment to eliminating systemic risk, not just resolving isolated events.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Controls Engineering required.
• 12 or more years of experience in hyperscale or mission-critical environments.
• Deep expertise in electrical and mechanical system behavior, protection schemes, and failure mechanisms.
• Mastery of structured root cause analysis and forensic investigation techniques.
• Strong ability to interpret large operational datasets and telemetry.
• Experience investigating multi-site or fleet-wide incidents preferred.
• Experience working with OEM engineering teams or third-party forensic specialists preferred.

Why Switch?

A Culture of Karma - We are self-motivated by karma, ensuring our actions contribute to a positive, supportive and forward-thinking environment.

Industry Leading Designs - Work with the most advanced data center technology on the planet and be a part of emerging technology development.

Flexibility & Remote Opportunities - Whether in-office, hybrid, or fully remote, we offer the technology and support to keep teams connected and productive.

Career Stability & Growth - In this expanding industry, we invest in our people, providing opportunities & advancement in a stable, growing company.

Generous Benefits Package - Switch provides comprehensive coverage for you and your family that can be tailored to fit your personal needs, and more!

Join Us & Make a Difference

This is more than a job—it's a mission. If you're ready to be part of a culture that values innovation, karma, and limitless potential, we want to hear from you.

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Safe Hiring Notice
Legitimate Switch recruiting emails come from switch.com. Current opportunities are posted on https://switch.com/careers and the official Switch LinkedIn Company page https://www.linkedin.com/company/switch-data-centers/ . Switch will never ask you to pay fees, purchase equipment, send money, cash a check, or transfer funds as part of recruiting. Personal information is collected only through approved Switch systems.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Switch is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide employment opportunities without discrimination or harassment based on any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Accommodations
Switch provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If you need an accommodation, contact [e-mail] .

Switch also considers qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with applicable law.

Recruitment Agencies
Switch does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from agencies without a current written agreement. Switch is not responsible for fees related to unsolicited submissions.