Construction MEP Project Manager - Career Level (Data Centers)

We are actively looking for Construction MEP Project Managers to support our project in Spartanburg, South Carolina. This is an on-site role.

At Jacobs, we deliver mission-critical infrastructure that powers the world's leading technology companies. Our Program Management and Construction Management team partners with hyperscale clients to develop and construct state-of-the-art data center campuses that support cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation initiatives.

We are seeking an experienced Construction MEP Project Manager to lead the planning, coordination, installation, testing, and commissioning of mechanical, electrical; plumbing, fire protection, and critical systems associated with hyperscale data center construction projects.

The ideal candidate possesses a strong background in mission-critical facilities and understands the complexity of coordinating large-scale MEP systems, utility infrastructure, and commissioning activities. This individual will work closely with owners, contractors, commissioning agents, design teams, and equipment vendors to ensure successful project delivery while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, reliability, and operational performance.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership

• Lead all MEP aspects of hyperscale data center projects from design review through turnover and commissioning.

• Serve as the primary project manager for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and critical infrastructure systems.

• Coordinate MEP construction activities with the overall project schedule and construction sequencing plans.

• Manage relationships with owners, design consultants, general contractors, MEP trade contractors, equipment vendors, and utility providers.

• Provide leadership during all project phases including preconstruction, procurement, installation, startup, commissioning, and closeout.

Mechanical Systems Management

• Oversee installation and commissioning of mission-critical mechanical systems, including:

• Chilled water plants

• Air-cooled and water-cooled cooling systems

• CRAH and CRAC units

• Cooling towers

• Heat rejection systems

• Direct-to-chip and liquid cooling systems

• HVAC distribution systems

• Ensure all mechanical systems are installed in accordance with design specifications and owner requirements.

Electrical Systems Management

• Manage the installation and testing of critical electrical infrastructure, including:

• Utility interconnections

• High-voltage and medium-voltage systems

• Substations and switchyards

• Generators and fuel systems

• UPS systems

• Switchgear and power distribution equipment

• Busway systems

• Grounding and bonding systems

• Branch power distribution systems

• Coordinate with utility providers and commissioning teams to support energization activities.

Construction Management

• Review and manage RFIs, submittals, shop drawings, and design changes.

• Monitor contractor productivity, quality, and schedule performance.

• Identify and mitigate construction risks before they impact project delivery.

• Support project procurement efforts related to critical long-lead MEP equipment.

• Ensure compliance with project specifications, codes, standards, and client requirements.

• Lead construction coordination meetings and provide project status reporting.

Cost and Schedule Management

• Assist in the development and management of project budgets, forecasts, and cost controls.

• Review contractor payment applications and change order requests.

• Support project controls activities, including schedule development, tracking, and recovery planning.

• Analyze construction progress and develop executive-level reporting metrics.

• Participate in value engineering and constructability reviews.

Commissioning and Startup

• Coordinate commissioning activities for all critical systems.

• Support Integrated Systems Testing (IST) and startup procedures.

• Work closely with commissioning agents, facility operators, and owners during turnover.

• Verify completion of pre-functional and functional performance testing.

• Ensure successful handoff of systems documentation, training, and operational readiness packages.

Safety and Quality

• Promote a culture of safety excellence across all project teams.

• Monitor compliance with OSHA requirements and site-specific safety programs.

• Drive quality assurance and quality control initiatives throughout project execution.

• Participate in incident investigations, corrective actions, and lessons learned programs.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, Building Systems Engineering, or related field.

• Minimum 8 years of experience managing construction projects involving complex MEP systems.

• Minimum 5 years managing mission-critical, industrial, advanced manufacturing, semiconductor, healthcare, or data center construction projects.

• Strong understanding of mechanical and electrical construction practices.

• Demonstrated experience managing multiple MEP contractors and vendors on large-scale projects.

• Experience reviewing construction drawings, specifications, submittals, RFIs, and commissioning documentation.

• Experience managing budgets, schedules, change orders, and contractor performance.

• Proficiency with construction management and project controls software.

• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification required.

• Ability to travel as required for project assignments.

Ideally, you'll have:

• Direct experience delivering hyperscale or colocation data center projects.

• Experience with campus-scale developments exceeding 50 MW of critical IT load.

• Experience supporting projects valued at $100 million to $1 billion+.

• Knowledge of Tier III and Tier IV critical facility standards.

• Experience with:

• Utility power infrastructure

• Substations

• Generator plants

• UPS systems

• Battery energy storage systems

• Liquid cooling technologies

• Advanced data center cooling systems

• Experience supporting commissioning and integrated systems testing efforts.

• Certified Construction Manager (CCM), Project Management Professional (PMP), Professional Engineer (PE), or similar credentials.

• Experience with Procore, Primavera P6, Bluebeam, BIM 360, and Microsoft Project.

Key Competencies

• MEP Construction Management

• Mission-Critical Facilities Expertise

• Hyperscale Data Center Construction

• Electrical Infrastructure Management

• Mechanical Systems Coordination

• Commissioning and Startup Leadership

• Cost Control and Forecasting

• Schedule Development and Recovery

• Contract Administration

• Quality Assurance and Quality Control

• Safety Leadership

• Risk Management

• Vendor and Contractor Management

• Client Relationship Management

• Technical Problem Solving

• Executive Reporting and Presentations

What Success Looks Like

The successful Construction MEP Project Manager will serve as the technical and construction leader responsible for the successful delivery of all mission-critical building systems within a hyperscale data center project. This individual will ensure that complex electrical and mechanical infrastructure is installed, tested, commissioned, and turned over safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with the strict reliability standards expected by hyperscale clients.

Preferred Candidate Profile: A construction professional with experience managing complex MEP scopes valued at $50 million to $500 million+, including data centers, semiconductor facilities, pharmaceutical manufacturing plants, advanced manufacturing facilities, healthcare campuses, or large industrial projects. Direct experience supporting hyperscale clients such as cloud, AI, or technology infrastructure providers is highly desirable.

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Jacobs is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, medical condition, marital or domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression and transgender status, mental disability or physical disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, citizenship, low-income status or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable law. Learn more about your rights under Federal EEO laws and supplemental language.