Data Center Telecom 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 seasoned Telecom Subject Matter Expert (SME) to lead technical excellence across our global data center portfolio. This role blends deep telecom infrastructure expertise with strategic foresight, serving as both an internal authority and external representative of Jacobs’ mission-critical communications capabilities. The SME will drive innovation in network architecture, mentor emerging talent, and shape the future of resilient, high-performance data center connectivity.

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 leadership across telecom/network disciplines, setting direction and elevating standards.
• Lead design, review, and optimization of structured cabling, fiber optics, and network infrastructure for hyperscale and enterprise data centers.
• Champion innovation in high-speed connectivity, low-latency architecture, and fault-tolerant systems.
• Develop and maintain Jacobs’ telecom standards, specifications, and best practices.

Strategic Impact & Business Development

• Act as the external face of Jacobs’ telecom expertise in client engagements, industry forums, and strategic pursuits.
• Collaborate with sales teams to secure complex, high-value data center projects.
• Participate in client workshops, proposal development, and strategic planning to shape winning solutions.
• Support business strategy through thought leadership, technical differentiation, and delivery excellence.

Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing

• Mentor and coach engineers and designers within the telecom discipline.
• Publish technical papers and contribute to Jacobs’ internal knowledge base.
• 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.
• Support commissioning, troubleshooting, and lifecycle performance of telecom systems.
• Lead root cause analysis and continuous improvement efforts across global sites.

Here's what you'll need

• Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• 20+ years of experience in telecom engineering, with 15+ years in mission-critical/data center environments.
• Proven expertise in structured cabling systems, fiber optics, DWDM, SD-WAN, and network resiliency.
• Strong familiarity with ANSI/TIA standards, BICSI guidelines, and global telecom regulations.
• Experience with network design tools such as REVIT, cable management systems, and telecom commissioning protocols.
• RCDD certification or equivalent is a plus.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and multi-tasking skills.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with hyperscale, colocation, and enterprise data center clients.
• Involvement in sustainability and energy-efficient telecom design.
• Vendor management and contract negotiation experience.
• Hands-on commissioning and retro-commissioning expertise.

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 incident support.

Posted Salary Range: Minimum 129,400.00 Posted Salary Range: Upper 169,875.00

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 $129,400.00 to $169,875.00. 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 .