Principal Professional Engineer (PE) – AI Data Center Design & Permitting

Renrui HR; Sealy (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Renrui HR is seeking a Principal Professional Engineer to lead design review, stamping, and AHJ permitting for AI Data Center projects in the U.S. You will bridge U.S. code requirements with a cross-border team to accelerate permit-ready documents.

Responsibilities include multi-state design review, official PE stamping, and acting as the technical liaison with AHJs and utilities. Experience with cross-border teams and Mandarin is a plus.

Qualifications

• Active PE licensure in multiple key U.S. states required.
• 10+ years of experience in U.S. critical infrastructure projects.
• Proven track record with top-tier North American data center firms.
• Experience navigating AHJ processes for hyperscale or modular AIDC projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead design review, PE stamping, and AHJ permitting for AIDC projects.
• Serve as primary liaison with AHJs, building departments, and utilities.
• Translate international designs into U.S.-code compliant permit documents.
• Collaborate with China-based team to optimize BOMs and modular designs.

Skills

Active PE licensure

10+ years experience

Data center design

AHJ permitting

Cross-border collaboration

HVDC 800V

Liquid cooling

NFPA/Uptime

Mandarin (plus)

Job description

Principal Professional Engineer (PE) | AI Data Center (AIDC) Design & Permitting

Our client is scaling hyperscale and modular AI Data Center (AIDC) projects across multiple U.S. states and is seeking a Principal PE to lead design review, PE stamping, and AHJ permitting. You will be the technical bridge between the U.S. regulatory environment and a cross-border engineering team, turning global designs into U.S. code-compliant, permit-ready documents on an accelerated timeline.

Key Responsibilities

Review and validate engineering designs, schematics, and BIM models for AIDC facilities. Oversee the conversion of international and domestic design drawings into U.S.-standard documents, with strict adherence to NEC, NFPA, UL, and IEEE standards.

Provide official PE stamping and technical sign-off for multi-state AIDC projects across MEP, structural, and fire protection disciplines. Assume professional liability for design compliance.

Serve as the primary technical liaison with local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), building departments, and utility commissions. Proactively resolve code interpretation disputes, answer technical queries, and expedite municipal plan review and permitting.

Work with the China-based engineering team to translate project requirements, optimize equipment BOMs, and refine modular/prefab AIDC designs before U.S. submission. The goal is to minimize rework and shorten the design-to-permit timeline.

What We're Looking For

• Active PE licensure in multiple key U.S. states (e.g., Virginia, Texas, Arizona, North Carolina, Florida)
• 10+ years of experience in U.S. critical infrastructure
• Proven track record at, or in partnership with, top-tier North American data center design firms (e.g., Syska Hennessy, SSOE Group, TLC Engineering, Mott MacDonald, Stantec, HH Angus)
• Demonstrated success navigating complex AHJ processes for hyperscale or modular AIDC projects. At least 2 case studies showing how you resolved jurisdictional bottlenecks to accelerate permitting will be required during the interview process.
• Deep expertise in high-power-density data center design, including 800V HVDC, liquid cooling systems, generator redundancy (NFPA 110), and Uptime Institute Tier certification
• Experience with cross-border or international engineering teams is a strong plus; Mandarin proficiency is a plus

Why Join

• Lead technical authority on next-generation AI infrastructure projects
• Direct influence on design standards and delivery speed across multiple states
• High-visibility role bridging global engineering capability with U.S. execution