Senior Data Center Consultant

Ramboll3; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Ramboll3 seeks a Sr. Data Center Consultant to lead analysis of electrical and mechanical infrastructure within data centers. You will interpret one-line diagrams, evaluate redundancy, and analyze system performance to improve reliability and energy efficiency.

The role emphasizes practical risk mitigation and clear client communications. Responsibilities include assessing BMS/BAS operations, developing maintenance staffing plans, and advising on capacity, safety, and compliance.

Qualifications

• Interpreting electrical one-line diagrams and evaluating mission-critical electrical distribution systems.
• Understanding redundancy concepts (N, N+1, 2N, etc.) and reliability principles.
• Evaluating mechanical infrastructure including chillers, cooling towers, pumps, and controls.
• Analyzing operational data for system performance, energy efficiency, and compliance.
• Experience with NEC and mission-critical facility design standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead analysis and planning for data center infrastructure across electrical, mechanical, and operational domains.
• Assess condition and maintenance practices of critical power and cooling systems.
• Develop maintenance staffing plans and define skills for mission-critical operations.
• Evaluate BMS/BAS systems and documentation for reliability and efficiency.
• Provide clear, customer-facing findings and recommendations.

Skills

Electrical diagrams

Redundancy concepts

Power systems

Mechanical systems

BMS/BAS expertise

Facility planning

Client facing

Microsoft Office

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Are you interested in providing leadership to support the analysis of data center infrastructure as part of our strategy development projects? Do you thrive in a dynamic work environment where multitasking and problem-solving are essential for project success? If this sounds like you, or you're curious to learn more, then this role could be the perfect opportunity. Join our Data Center Facilities team as our new Sr. Data Center Consultant and work with us to close the gap to a sustainable future.

Electrical

• Demonstrated expertise in interpreting electrical one-line diagrams and evaluating mission-critical electrical distribution systems, including utility service, switchgear, UPS, generators, transfer switches, PDUs, transformers, and grounding systems.
• Strong understanding of electrical redundancy concepts (N, N+1, 2N, etc.), reliability principles, load calculations, power capacity, and identifying single points of failure with practical risk mitigation strategies.
• Ability to assess the condition, operation, and maintenance effectiveness of critical power infrastructure, including UPS systems, battery systems, standby power, electrical distribution equipment, and associated controls.
• Experience collecting, analyzing, and interpreting operational data from electrical infrastructure to evaluate system performance, reliability, energy efficiency, and compliance with industry best practices.
• Working knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC), mission-critical facility design standards, and the ability to safely perform work in energized or critical infrastructure environments.

Mechanical

• Interpret mechanical one-line drawings and evaluate HVAC infrastructure in mission-critical facilities, from central cooling plants through CRAC/CRAH systems, while understanding redundancy concepts and calculating system load capacity.
• Assess the condition, operation, and maintenance of mechanical infrastructure including chillers, cooling towers, heat rejection systems, pumps, valves, piping, thermal storage, and associated controls and instrumentation.
• Analyze mechanical system designs to identify components, single points of failure, reliability risks, and energy optimization opportunities, providing practical recommendations to improve resilience, maintainability, and efficiency.
• Collect, interpret, and analyze operational data from mechanical equipment and perform engineering calculations related to cooling capacity, power, kVA, power factor, and energy performance.
• Apply industry best practices for mission-critical mechanical systems, including redundancy classifications, reliability principles (MTBF, MTTR, availability, maintainability), and safe work practices while effectively using Microsoft Office applications.
• Serve as a confident, customer-facing mechanical subject matter expert, communicating technical findings and recommendations clearly while following written and verbal instructions.

Operations

• Develop maintenance staffing plans and define the technical skill requirements needed to support mission-critical facility operations.
• Operate and evaluate Building Monitoring and Control Systems (BMS/BAS) supporting critical mechanical and electrical infrastructure.
• Assess the condition, maintenance practices, and documentation of mission-critical infrastructure, including raised floor environments, fire detection and suppression systems, and critical equipment records.
• Evaluate operational processes including maintenance management, change management, and security systems to ensure reliability, compliance, and best practices.
• Identify single points of failure, assess infrastructure reliability risks, and develop practical, cost-effective mitigation recommendations to improve data center availability.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of mission-critical systems including Emergency Power Off (EPO), VESDA, FM-200, Ansul, sprinkler and pre-action systems, as well as physical security technologies such as card access, video surveillance, biometric access, and perimeter protection.

Conceptual Master Planning

• Be able to evaluate the overall facility and provide input to such in the planning sessions and workshops
• Working with Engineering/Design colleagues, assist in the development of conceptual designs for infrastructure expansion and/or capacity changes.
• Possess a complete understanding redundancy requirements and Tier levels
• Ability to evaluate the overall critical loading requirements for data center "greenfield" options
• Ability to provide ROM (Rough Order of Magnitude) estimates (+/- 30%) for recommendations
• Ability to present findings and interact with customers at all levels.

Other Skills and Knowledge

• Managing and participating in the delivery of major projects
• the candidate is expected to act as the client partner and project executive for all projects they develop. This will position the candidate to manage the proje