Structural Engineer SME - AI Data Centers

Jacobs; Iowa City (IA); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 233,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work policy

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Stock purchase program

Paid time off

Holidays

Caregiver leave

Bonus potential

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Senior Subject Matter Expert in our Data Center team to lead structural engineering across data center projects, including new builds and retrofits. You will mentor engineers, guide design-build delivery, and collaborate with clients and management.

This nationwide opportunity supports a hybrid work model with travel as needed. The ideal candidate holds a BS in Civil/Structural Engineering, 15+ years of experience, a PE license, and proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, RAM/STAAD,

Qualifications

• BS in Civil/Structural Engineering required; PE license preferred.
• 15+ years of structural engineering experience.
• Experience with building codes and standards (ACI, AISC, ASCE 7).
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit, RAM/STAAD and Bluebeam.
• Strong client-facing communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead structural engineering across data center projects and retrofits.
• Mentor structural leads and coordinate with teams and clients.
• Guide design delivery, schedules, and technical governance.
• Perform complex analyses and select appropriate methodologies.
• Support pursuit of design-build delivery and execution strategy.

Skills

Leadership

Problem solving

Client communication

Interdisciplinary coordination

Team mentoring

Contract management

Construction knowledge

Building codes knowledge

Detail oriented

Education

Bachelor of Science in Civil or Structural Engineering

Master of Science in Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

AutoCad

Revit

MicroStation

S3D

RISA

RamSS

STAAD

Job description

Your impact

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.

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.

At Jacobs, we never settle — we push boundaries, elevate standards, and deliver with purpose. As a senior subject matter expert within our Data Center team, you’ll lead structural engineering efforts across a portfolio of data center projects, including new builds and retrofits. As part of the vision of the Department Manager, you’ll drive the technical direction, and ensure structural solutions meet the highest standards of performance, and constructability.

This role is heavily client‑ and contractor‑facing, blending technical authority with the ability to communicate and collaborate across diverse teams. The ideal candidate thrives at the intersection of deep mission‑critical engineering expertise and relationship‑driven leadership—confidently navigating design, construction, and stakeholder challenges while delivering solutions that inspire trust and keep our clients at the center.

You’ll serve as a key technical leader, guiding a portfolio of projects and coordinating closely with the structural engineering teams. You will mentor structural leads and support the projects by meeting with clients and upper management as required and be able to speak directly to the status of various projects. Your expertise will shape project execution, influence design strategy, and strengthen our delivery excellence. This role offers significant opportunity to expand your technical authority, mentor emerging talent, and grow your leadership presence as you help define the next generation of high-performance data center infrastructure. Your guidance will not only help shape the design delivery of the team but will guide the delivery of our Design-Build delivery methodology.

Other key contributions include

• Provide quality reviews of complex projects.
• Leading complex structural analyses and guiding the selection of appropriate methodologies to ensure robust, code compliant, and constructible design solutions.
• Developing and validating advanced structural computer models, establishing modeling standards, and mentoring team members in best practice simulation techniques.
• Overseeing critical calculations for member design and foundations, directing material take offs and estimating inputs, and providing technical governance for schedules, design documentation, and interdisciplinary coordination.

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.

Here’s what you’ll need

• Ability to quickly identify complex challenges, solve problems, communicate solutions and direct junior and senior staff on best practices
• Understand the complexities of large contracts and different contract structures and be able to manage change orders, and be able to stand up for the engineering team against the liabilities of contractors
• Experience with almost every building material and type, and have the ability to speak to the executive level about any subject without advance notice
• Bachelor of Science in Civil or Structural Engineering
• 15+ or more years of professional experience in structural engineering
• Registered Professional Engineer with the ability to become registered in additional states
• Knowledge of CAD software, such as AutoCad, Revit, MicroStation and S3D
• Proficiency with structural analysis software such as RISA, RamSS or STAAD
• Knowledge and application of ACI, AISC, ASCE 7, AIST Technical Report 13, and other industry relevant design code and standards
• Knowledge and application of Building Codes
• Proficiency with MS Office suite software including MS Teams for remote coordination
• Ability for travel to various client’s sites (approx. 10% to 40% travel)
• Proficiency reviewing and commenting on drawings in Bluebeam

Ideally, you’ll also have

• Master of Science in Engineering
• Registered SE License
• Experience with hyperscale facility design with key global clients
• Ability to lead teams to deliver commitments on schedule and on budget while meeting quality and client expectations

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 $169,500.00 to $233,000.00. 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.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment

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.