Project Manager - AI Data Centers

Jacobs; Cary (NC); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) plan

Stock purchase plan

Unlimited PPTO

Paid holidays

Caregiver leave

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Project Manager to lead complex, multi-discipline programs for renowned Data Center clients. You will drive project execution strategy, manage client relationships, and ensure delivery excellence across engineering, design, and construction teams.

Responsibilities include planning, controlling budgets, coordinating resources, and guiding teams through fast-paced, mission-critical projects where schedule certainty and reliability matter.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, or related discipline or equivalent experience.
• 5–12 years of progressive project management experience on industrial or technically complex facility programs.
• Minimum 2 years PM experience on Data Center, Advanced Technology, or Semiconductor projects.

Responsibilities

• Own the project management plan scope, schedule, budget, and risk register.
• Coordinate multi-discipline engineering teams from concept through construction.
• Manage client relationships, dashboards, and issue escalation.
• Ensure delivery excellence and schedule certainty on mission-critical programs.

Skills

Project management

Scheduling

Earned value reporting

Budget management

Contract administration

Multi-disciplinary coordination

Client relationships

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Tools

P6

MS Project

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

This job opportunity is available at ANY location in the United States. Ideally, selected candidates will be near a JACOBS U.S. based office, but we intend to hire the "best" candidates.

Jacobs is the #1-ranked design firm on ENR’s Top 500 Design Firms list — for the seventh consecutive year — and the #1 Program Management firm globally (ENR, 2026). We are not riding the data center wave; we are engineering it. Jacobs’ Data Center Digital Twin solution, built on NVIDIA’s Omniverse DSX Blueprint, was highlighted in Jensen Huang’s GTC keynote in March 2026, placing Jacobs at the technical frontier of gigawatt-scale AI factory design.

This is your opportunity to elevate your career to the next level — leading complex, multi-discipline programs as a Project Manager working alongside the most recognized Data Center clients in the industry. As a Project Manager, you will drive project execution strategy, oversee project performance, manage client relationships, and ensure seamless collaboration across technical disciplines. You will be accountable for project planning, financial performance, resource coordination, and proactive issue resolution while helping maintain the high standards of delivery excellence expected by Jacobs' clients. Success requires strong leadership, exceptional communication skills, sound business judgment, and the ability to guide teams through fast-paced, mission-critical projects where schedule certainty and operational reliability are paramount.

At Jacobs, you will do what you are most passionate about, at a scale and with a client roster that defines the future of AI infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

Project Execution & Controls

• Own the project management plan scope, schedule, budget, fee forecasting, contract administration, and risk register.
• Manage Jacobs engineering fee budgets and subcontract scopes; track earned value, cost-at-completion, and variance monthly
• Lead project schedule development in P6 or MS Project; drive critical path analysis and recovery planning across multi-discipline milestones (Typical BOD, 30%/60%/IFC design, permit, construction)
• Administer prime contracts and subconsultant agreements; manage change order processes with disciplined scope and cost substantiation
• Delivery & Technical Coordination
• Coordinate multi-discipline engineering teams (Architectural, site/Civl, Structural, MEP, process) from concept through construction administration; chair weekly design coordination and BIM clash resolution meetings
• As Owner's Architect/Engineer represent the client's interests through design review, RFI response, submittal processing, and construction observation; manage document issuance and schedule adherence.
• Interface with owner/operator technical teams on design criteria, standards compliance, and program-level reporting
• Quality, Safety & Commissioning
• Enforce Jacobs quality management plan; conduct or facilitate key issuance IFC peer reviews and design QA/QC reviews (typically 30%/60%/IFP/IFC milestones)
• Champion Jacobs BeyondZero safety culture; review contractor safety plans and conduct site safety observations during construction administration phases

Client Relationships & Growth

• Serve as primary client point of contact; manage project-level communication, monthly program dashboards, and issue escalation
• Support business development pursuits contribute to technical proposals, BOE development, staffing plans, and client presentations for Data Center and Advanced Manufacturing opportunities.

Required Qualifications - Here's What You'll Need

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Architecture, or related discipline (or equivalent experience)
• 5-12 years of progressive project management experience on industrial or technically complex facility programs
• Minimum 2 years demonstrated PM experience on Data Center, Advanced Technology, or Semiconductor projects as PM— not solely as project engineer/Architect or support PM
• Proficiency in project controls tools P6 or MS Project (scheduling), cost tracking systems, and earned value reporting

Preferred Qualifications - Ideally, You'll Also Have

• Registered Architect or PE (Professional Engineer) Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, or Structural; multi-state reciprocity valued
• PMP (Project Management Professional) PMI certification required or in progress
• Experience on hyperscale cloud, AI Data Centers, or advanced semiconductor fab programs
• LEED AP BD+C, CEA, or DBIA credential — differentiates on sustainability-driven and Design-Build pursuits
• Familiarity with hyperscale design standards ASHRAE 90.4, Uptime Institute Tier classification, BICSI TDMM, NEC 708

Why Jacobs

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 an unlimited 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 $134,500.00 to $185,000.00. 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. Job posted on October 01, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

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 location enabling them to deliver their best.. .

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.