Datacenter Substation Engineer

Microsoft Cloud Operations and Innovation (CO&I) is the team behind the cloud.  Within CO&I, the Datacenter Engineering (DCE) team is responsible for delivering core datacenter infrastructure for Microsoft’s cloud business. The MS portfolio consists of complex, multi-disciplinary, large scale, multi-year datacenter construction and lease projects. We are looking for a passionate, high-energy Substation Engineer to help build the cloud datacenters that power the world’s largest online services.

The Datacenter Substation Engineer will be part of the team responsible for the development of Microsoft’s industry-leading datacenters in AMER. We are looking for an electrical engineering expert to design, develop and continuously innovate designs and solutions for High Voltage substations, systems and related infrastructure to build the cloud datacenters that power the world’s largest online services. 

In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day. 

This role is located either in one or all hub locations - Atlanta, GA, Washington, D.C., Redmond, WA, San Antonio, TX or Phoenix, AZ.  

Relocation support will be provided, and successful candidates will need to relocate or reside within 50 miles of the hub office location.  

This role is eligible for hybrid or remote work, up to (50)%. 

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond. 

Required/Minimum Qualifications

• 12+ years of technical engineering experience
  • OR Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field AND 10+ years of technical engineering experience
  • OR Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field AND 8+ years of technical engineering experience
  • OR Doctorate degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field AND 3+ years of technical engineering experience

• 8+ years of experience of High Voltage (HV) substations, HV primary assets and secondary systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field AND 12+ years of technical engineering experience

  o OR Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field AND 10+ years of technical engineering experience

  o OR Doctorate degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field AND 5+ years of technical engineering experience.

• Professional Engineer in electrical engineering
• Detailed understanding of mission critical HV, MV and LV electrical equipment, system modelling, protection schemes, grounding and bonding and building services.
• Electrical trade background preferably with knowledge and experience in power generation and HV/MV/LV electrical equipment will be an advantage.
• Knowledge of codes and requirements across AMER region.
• Ability to drive designs through development, construction and deployment of data center equipment and facilities.
• Ability to lead a team of engineers in advanced engineering, operational processes and procedures relating to large data center environments. 
• Highly motivated and dependable individual and able to work as a team player.
• Flexible, and organized to manage workload to meet deadlines.
• Analytical and excellent problem-solving skills.
• Ability to perform complex business case analysis to justify technical decisions.
• Ability to work across different teams such as design, delivery, and operation teams.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail and maintain high quality standards.
• Ability to prepare and present using MS Office.

Electrical Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $137,600 - $267,000 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $180,400 - $294,000 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until January 11, 2025.

The successful candidate will be a Subject Matter Expert in the High Voltage (HV) engineering field. The individual shall have hands-on electrical design experience in HV substation design, understand datacenter system design, and be familiar with construction, commissioning, and operation. This individual will provide key inputs to other organizations and stakeholders. The successful candidate will be an experienced HV electrical engineer whose primary focus will be on HV substations, SCASA systems, HV assets and systems, while the secondary focus will be on datacenter electrical system designs. Both areas of focus will cover design and engineering, specifications, equipment submittals, support to construction, commissioning, and operations. The candidate will develop and review designs, defining specifications, review and validate equipment submittals, coordinating the delivery of the HV substation designs, complex datacenter electrical system designs, power distribution systems and backup emergency power systems within AMER. This individual will be responsible for managing hired consultants and suppliers, making sure they engineer and design to Microsoft standards.

The Datacenter Substation Engineer will be responsible for the following:

• Collaborate with global electrical team to understand requirements for the HV substations, datacenter (DC) electrical designs from basis of design (BOD) to issue for construction (IFC) for new DC builds. 
• Be a leader and work within the regional team to understand user requirements and support Microsoft’s data centers.
• Lead and direct consultants in the design and coordination of the HV substations, SCADA systems, data center electrical systems, backup emergency power systems with other disciplines for our datacenter builds. 
• Lead electrical work groups with representatives from consulting firms along with key stakeholders within Microsoft.  
• Support the Site Selection team by validating electrical infrastructure arrangement, HV substation footprint and identify power availability risk during site due diligence and test fit. 
• Critical data center equipment design including HV substations, SCADA systems, HV primary assets and secondary systems, site wide MV/LV infrastructures, Diesel Generators, Uninterruptible Power Supplies, Automatic/Static Transfer Switches, Switchgear, Transformers, Switchboards and Earthing.
• Manage all electrical designs during the design, equipment procurement, bidding, manufacturing, delivery, installation, and commissioning phases. Identify and resolve issues raised by the delivery teams and various stakeholders. 
• Develop and manage regional HV design topologies and specifications, detailing of drawings, review system study analysis, calculations, and sequence of operation for HV system and datacenter electrical system.
• Review and validate equipment submittals.
• Work with the Microsoft Energy team to define site utility and substation requirement with local utilities, lead technical reviews with utility providers to complete reliability and feasibility studies.
• Work with the Microsoft Procurement team, regional vendors and manufacturers, and global/regional engineering teams to deliver the electrical solutions required for the projects. 
• Work with the Commissioning team to test and validate installation, operation and performance of electrical systems.
• Assist the Operations teams with electrical solutioning by providing expert opinions on electrical systems.
• Assist partner teams to review the electrical infrastructure upgrading/retrofitting scopes to raise site utilization. 
• Ability to work on concurrent projects in multiple geographical locations within AMER.
• Travel to sites for site review, engineering evaluations, technical support and startup as needed.
• Travel for “Factory Witness Testing” on equipment and engineering vendor interaction in the design process, as well as final commissioning of the installed systems.
• Passion for engineering, enjoys innovation and “out of the box” solutions.