Data Center Electrical Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Data Center Electrical Operations SME

Location: Spartanburg, SC
Type: Direct Hire
Relocation: Available for non-local candidates

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary: $130,000 – $160,000 + bonus
• Long-term growth opportunity with a rapidly scaling HPC / AI infrastructure organization
• Mission-critical data center infrastructure environment

Overview

Our client is seeking a  Data Center Electrical Operations SME to serve as an on-site technical authority for electrical systems supporting a large-scale mission-critical infrastructure environment in Spartanburg, SC.

This organization is building and operating advanced high-performance computing infrastructure designed to support GPU-intensive workloads, AI/ML platforms, research computing, simulation, and next-generation cloud services. The environment includes high-density compute infrastructure, critical electrical distribution systems, and integrated on-site power generation assets.

The Data Center Electrical Operations SME will provide hands-on technical leadership across electrical operations, system reliability, equipment troubleshooting, procedure execution, and safety compliance. This individual will work closely with critical infrastructure operators, mechanical SMEs, controls teams, liquid cooling / hybrid space teams, and energy station personnel to ensure safe, reliable, and continuous operation of electrical systems across the site.

This is a shift-based technical leadership role requiring strong experience with medium- and low-voltage power distribution, UPS systems, switchgear, generators, protective relays, electrical safety, and mission-critical operating procedures.

Key Responsibilities

Electrical Operations & Technical Oversight

• Serve as the on-shift electrical SME for power distribution, UPS systems, switchgear, generators, and related electrical infrastructure
• Provide real-time technical direction during switching, energization, restoration, troubleshooting, and abnormal operating conditions
• Support safe and reliable operation of electrical systems across the data center, compute infrastructure, and associated power generation environments
• Monitor electrical system performance, identify risks or anomalies, and help direct corrective actions
• Maintain strong working knowledge of site single-line diagrams, electrical system architecture, protection schemes, and system interdependencies
• Troubleshoot electrical faults, alarms, equipment issues, and operational deviations in coordination with controls, mechanical, and operations teams
• Participate in root cause analysis following electrical incidents, outages, near misses, or abnormal system events
• Support commissioning, acceptance testing, equipment startup, and turnover activities for new or modified systems

Procedure Execution, Training & Operational Discipline

• Mentor, train, and guide operators and technicians on electrical system operation, safety practices, and procedure execution
• Support the development, review, and improvement of MOPs, SOPs, EOPs, LOTO plans, and electrical operating procedures
• Help evaluate operator readiness, qualification standards, and skills development for electrical operations
• Promote disciplined execution of approved procedures during maintenance, testing, switching, and emergency response activities
• Identify gaps in existing procedures and recommend improvements to strengthen safety, reliability, and operational consistency

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

• Enforce electrical safety standards, including NFPA 70, NFPA 70E, OSHA requirements, and site-specific EHS policies
• Serve as an on-shift resource for Lockout/Tagout, energized work permitting, arc-flash awareness, and proper electrical PPE usage
• Support safe execution of maintenance, testing, troubleshooting, and live electrical work activities
• Promote a strong safety culture focused on accountability, procedural compliance, and risk mitigation
• Escalate unsafe conditions, equipment concerns, or procedural deviations as appropriate

Communication & Documentation

• Act as a key electrical liaison between critical infrastructure operations, compute infrastructure, energy station teams, and site leadership
• Ensure clear communication of electrical system status during shift handovers, maintenance windows, incidents, and operational transitions
• Maintain accurate logs, equipment status updates, event documentation, and shift notes
• Document lessons learned following electrical events, procedure gaps, or operational challenges
• Provide recommendations to electrical leadership regarding reliability improvements, training needs, and operational enhancements

Required Experience

• Associate degree or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Technology, or a related technical field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered
• 8+ years of experience working with medium-voltage and low-voltage electrical systems in data centers, industrial facilities, power generation, utilities, or other mission-critical environments
• Strong hands-on knowledge of switchgear, UPS systems, generators, protective relays, breakers, transformers, and electrical distribution infrastructure
• Experience supporting electrical operations in high-availability or 24/7 environments
• Ability to read and interpret single-line diagrams, electrical schematics, control logic diagrams, equipment drawings, and technical documentation
• Strong understanding of NFPA 70, NFPA 70E, OSHA standards, electrical safety practices, LOTO, arc-flash requirements, and energized work controls
• Proven ability to train, mentor, and provide technical guidance to operators, technicians, or maintenance personnel
• Experience supporting switching operations, equipment startup, commissioning, troubleshooting, and incident response
• Strong communication skills and the ability to remain calm, clear, and decisive in high-pressure operational environments

Preferred Experience

• Experience in data center, hyperscale, HPC, semiconductor, utility, power plant, or large industrial environments
• Familiarity with mission-critical operating models, including MOPs, SOPs, EOPs, CMMS workflows, and shift-based operations
• Experience working around on-site generation, substations, generators, MV distribution, or integrated power systems
• Exposure to SCADA, BMS, EPMS, DCIM, or other monitoring and control platforms
• Electrical licensing, journeyman/master electrician credentials, NETA experience, or related electrical certifications

Ideal Profile

The ideal candidate is a hands-on electrical operations leader who understands how to operate safely and effectively in a live mission-critical data center environment. This person brings strong technical depth, sound judgment, and the ability to guide teams during routine operations, maintenance activities, abnormal conditions, and emergency response scenarios.

This role is well-suited for someone who has operated in complex, high-availability environments where electrical reliability, procedural discipline, and safety are critical to continuous operations.

GTN is the leader in SOW management & technical staffing, leveraging innovation to drive next-generation recruiting to Fortune 200 companies.

Company Description

GTN is the leader in SOW management & technical staffing, leveraging innovation to drive next-generation recruiting to Fortune 200 companies.