Principal Substation Electrical Engineer - Regional Datacenter Engineering

Overview

Microsoft Cloud Operations and Innovation (CO&I) is the team behind the cloud.  Within CO&I, the Regional Datacenter Engineering (RDCE) 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, experienced individual to help 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.

The Principal Substation Electrical Engineer - Regional Datacenter Engineering role provides key input to other organizations and stakeholders. The successful candidate will be an electrical engineer with capability of achieving PE licensure and detailed understanding of datacenter electrical engineering, electrical power monitoring systems, datacenter controls, datacenter operational and overall critical environment network topology.

This role is responsible for the oversight of specification and drawing development detailing all electrical systems, power distribution systems, backup power systems, electrical power monitoring systems, the control diagrams, sequence of operation for the electrical controls systems, overall network architecture and communication protocols required.

Additionally, this role will be responsible for managing our consultants making sure they engineer and design to Microsoft technical standards. Finally, the role will also work with stakeholders for testing and commissioning of datacenters for compliance with Microsoft requirements.

The position requires occasional travel to sites, to “Factory Witness Testing”, vendor interaction in the design process, as well as final commissioning of the installed systems.

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.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Microsoft’s Global Datacenter Engineering (GDCE) team to understand and develop the datacenter (DC) electrical High Voltage Substation designs from Basis of Design (BOD) to Issue for Constructions (IFC) for new DC project buildouts and retrofit projects
• Lead and direct A/E consultants in the design and coordination of the High Voltage Substation Electrical/SCADA systems with other disciplines, associated controls and overall electrical distribution and topology for datacenter High Voltage Substations and retrofits
• Collaborate closely with the utility providers and internal energy team to validate utility interconnection requirements.
• Manage all Electrical Substation and SCADA system designs during the design stages, equipment procurement, bidding, manufacturing, delivery and installation on site. Identify and resolve issues raised by the construction teams and various stakeholders
• Interface closely with internal procurement team, manufacturers and the global and local engineering teams to deliver the Electrical Substation and SCADA solutions needed for each project
• Responsible for the oversight of specification and drawing development, detailing the sequence of operation for the Electrical systems and overall drawings and specifications for our Electrical Substation topology
• Technical review and analysis of the lease and colocation datacenter space from external providers for compliance with Microsoft Substation requirements
• Assist the Operations teams with Electrical Substation and SCADA system and equipment strategic improvements, working closely with equipment vendors and suppliers.
• EMT Modeling (PSCAD, PSSE, PSLF, et.) support and review for Utility Grid and Data Center builds

Required Qualifications

• Doctorate in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field AND 3+ years technical engineering experience OR Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years technical engineering experience OR Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience OR equivalent experience.

Other Requirements

Citizenship & Citizenship Verification

• This position requires verification of citizenship due to citizenship-based legal restrictions. Specifically, this position supports United States federal, state, and/or local US government agency customers and is subject to certain citizenship-based restrictions where required or permitted by applicable law. To meet this legal requirement, and as a condition of employment, classified as Microsoft Confidential the successful candidate’s citizenship will be verified with a valid passport.

Additional information

Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings:

• Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctorate in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field AND 5+ years technical engineering experience OR Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience OR Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field AND 12+ years technical engineering experience OR equivalent experience.
• Electrical Professional Engineer with expertise in High Voltage and Data Center electrical engineering.
• Knowledgeable in power generation, transmission, and distribution topologies.
• Firm understanding of the high voltage substation, high voltage systems, and electrical distribution system design for mission critical applications, alongside sequence of operation and monitoring of all datacenters electrical control systems.
• Extensive Experience in design & engineering with power systems, mission critical electrical design with focus on HV designs of large scale and complex electrical engineering systems (Refineries, Datacenters, Semiconductors are some examples of relevant industries).
• Technical knowledge of HV substations, HV primary assets and secondary systems.
• Expertise in the functions and applications of protection relays.
• Detailed understanding of mission critical HV, MV and LV electrical equipment, system modelling, protection schemes, grounding and bonding and building services.
• PSCAD Modeling skills for Utility Grid and Data Center builds
• Knowledge of new industry Voltage Ride Through and Sub Transient System Oscillation requirements.
• 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 good 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.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail and maintain high quality standards.
• Ability to prepare and present using MS Office.

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Pay and benefits

Electrical Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $142,800 - $274,800 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 $188,000 - $304,200 per year.

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

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.