Architectural SME (Data Center)

Market Advanced Manufacturing

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

Jacobs is seeking a visionary and technically accomplished Architectural Subject Matter Expert (SME) to lead the design and strategic evolution of our global data center portfolio. This role blends deep architectural expertise with business leadership, serving as both an internal mentor and external ambassador of Jacobs’ design excellence. The ideal candidate will shape the future of mission-critical environments through innovation, collaboration, and thought leadership.

This role can be aligned with any U.S. location. Ideally, we're aiming to hire the best candidate and that individual could work from any JACOBS US based office.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership & Innovation
• Provide internal technical leadership across architectural disciplines, guiding design excellence and delivery.
• Set design strategy with hyperscaler colocation clients with up front planning.
• Champion innovation in modular design, sustainability, and integrated building systems.
• Develop and maintain Jacobs’ architectural standards, specifications, and design guidelines.
• Ensure compliance with applicable codes, accessibility standards, and environmental regulations.

Strategic Impact & Business Development

• Serve as the external face of Jacobs’ architectural expertise in client engagements, industry forums, and strategic pursuits.
• Partner with sales teams to win our most complex and high-value data center projects.
• Participate in sales calls, client workshops, and proposal development to shape winning strategies.
• Influence business strategy through design innovation, technical differentiation, and delivery excellence.

Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing

• Mentor and coach architects and designers across the data center practice.
• Publish technical articles and contribute to Jacobs’ thought leadership initiatives.
• Present at industry conferences and represent Jacobs in professional associations.

Execution & Multi-Tasking

• Balance strategic initiatives with hands-on project execution, managing multiple priorities in parallel.
• Lead site planning, building layout, and integration of architectural systems with MEP and structural disciplines.
• Support construction administration, design reviews, and quality assurance across global projects.

Here's what you'll need

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture.
• 20+ years of experience in architectural design, with 15+ years in mission-critical/data center environments.
• Licensed Architect (RA) with strong knowledge of building codes, ADA, and sustainability frameworks.
• Proven expertise in site planning, envelope design, modular construction, and BIM coordination.
• Proven record of technical innovation solving client's challenges.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and multi-tasking skills.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with hyperscale, colocation, and enterprise data center clients.
• Involvement in LEED, WELL, or other sustainability certifications.
• Familiarity with high-security and high-resiliency design principles.
• Vendor coordination and construction-phase support experience.

Work Environment

• Primarily office-based with occasional travel to data center sites and client locations.
• Travel up to 25% based on project and business needs.
• On-call availability for critical design support or client engagements.

Posted Salary Range: Minimum 189,100.00 Posted Salary Range: Upper 248,175.00

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, one floating holiday, 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 $189,100.00 to $248,175.00. 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 September 16, 2025. 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 locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

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 .