Electrical Power Systems Advisor (Data Centers)

Position: Electrical Power Systems Advisor (Data Centers)

Location: Houston TX (Onsite)

Exp: 15-25 Yrs

Role Summary:

We are hiring an Electrical Power Systems leader to own and define the electrical power architecture for hyperscale and AI-focused data centers including multi building campuses and 100MW 1GW programs. This role represents the highest technical authority for power systems-setting strategy standards and architectural direction from concept through commissioning and operations. This position is intended for a proven engineering leader who combines deep MV/HV power systems expertise protection & controls mastery and real-world operational experience with the authority and credibility to influence executives utilities EPCs OEMs and operations teams alike.

What You will Do:
1) Electrical Architecture (MV/HV) for Mission-Critical Facilities

• Architect MV/HV electrical distribution for data centers (utility-to-rack power path) including substation topology MV switchgear transformers secondary distribution and critical power interfaces.
• Define and standardize repeatable reference designs for power-dense facilities that scale across regions and vendors.
• Develop design decisions grounded in availability reliability maintainability safety and operational response during abnormal events.

2) Protection Controls & Digital Power Systems

• Own protection philosophy relay settings coordination strategy and system selectivity for MV/HV systems in mission-critical environments.
• Lead adoption and deployment of IEC 61850 digital substation/switchgear architectures including GOOSE/MMS and engineering best practices for repeatability and quality.
• Develop and validate Sequences of Operation (SoO) and control narratives for normal operation failover maintenance modes and recovery.

3) Utility Interconnection & Grid Interface

• Serve as technical lead for utility engagement: interconnection requirements protection & metering power quality and operational coordination for large-load facilities.
• Drive designs that support flexible grid connections and advanced resiliency strategies (e.g. self-generation BESS integration islanding concepts where applicable).

4) Commissioning Testing and Live-Site Execution

• Partner with construction and commissioning teams to plan and execute acceptance testing energization integrated systems testing and operational readiness.
• Lead troubleshooting and root-cause analysis for complex system behaviors across switchgear relays controls networks and power monitoring systems.
• Support retrofits and upgrades in live data centers where continuity of service is non-negotiable.

5) Leadership Standards & Vendor Ecosystem

• Set technical direction and mentor engineers across design controls commissioning and operations.
• Influence and negotiate technical outcomes with OEMs EPCs utilities AHJs and global vendors.
• Establish and maintain electrical and controls standards (e.g. vendor-agnostic SoO digital switchgear templates quality/defect reduction practices).

What You will Bring:

• 15 years in electrical power systems for data centers critical facilities utility power or comparable high-reliability infrastructure.
• Power generation (gas turbines reciprocating engines hybrid systems)
• Demonstrated expertise in MV distribution switchgear substation design considerations and mission-critical power architecture.
• Strong background in protection & controls including relay schemes coordination/selectivity and control system integration.
• Experience developing and validating Sequences of Operation (SoO) and commissioning/test strategies.
• Familiarity with relevant standards and environments: ANSI/UL IEC and multi-region deployment realities.
• Bachelors degree in electrical engineering Systems Engineering or related discipline.
• Travel time will vary but it could be as high as 50%.
• Candidates with higher level qualifications/experience will be considered accordingly.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Practical experience with IEC 61850 digital substations/switchgear (GOOSE/MMS) and implementation lessons learned.
• Hyperscale data center experience including design construction support commissioning or operations/start-up roles.
• Background in power monitoring systems (PMS) integration and operational event response training (or similar reliability programs).
• Experience with grid-independent or hybrid architectures including on-site generation and BESS integration.
• Global/international project exposure multi-vendor standardization or expat/remote execution experience.
• Advanced degree (MBA/MS) is a plus.