How to apply for Principal Civil Engineer- Data Center Engineering

About SB Energy DevCo (US) Inc.

SB Energy is a SoftBank-backed infrastructure powerhouse that has rapidly scaled to over 3 GW of operating renewable energy and is now aggressively expanding into data center campuses, including a $1B investment from SoftBank and OpenAI. Unlike traditional developers, SB Energy pairs large-scale project execution with an AI-based digital platform, offering engineers a rare chance to shape the convergence of clean energy and hyperscale data infrastructure. Employees join a mission-driven, entrepreneurial culture that is actively combating climate change while powering America's digital future.

About the role

As a Principal Civil Engineer in Data Center Engineering, you will lead the civil design and engineering for massive data center campuses, from site selection and grading to stormwater management and structural foundations. You will work remotely with a high-caliber team to ensure these mission-critical facilities are reliable, secure, and seamlessly integrated with renewable energy assets. This role is pivotal in delivering the physical backbone of America's AI and cloud infrastructure, directly impacting SB Energy's multi-GW pipeline.

A typical day

You might start your day reviewing site grading plans from an external engineering firm, then jump on a call with the project development team to discuss stormwater management for a new campus in Texas. In the afternoon, you'll coordinate with permitting consultants and update the civil design schedule, ensuring alignment with SB Energy's aggressive data center delivery timeline. Expect frequent collaboration with structural, electrical, and environmental engineers, all while working from your home office.

Who SB Energy DevCo (US) Inc. is looking for

• 10+ years of civil engineering experience with a strong focus on large-scale industrial or data center projects, including site development, grading, drainage, and utility coordination.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required, with proven expertise in stormwater management, erosion control, and local permitting across multiple US jurisdictions.
• Experience managing external engineering firms and contractors, and familiarity with fast-track design-build delivery for hyperscale data centers.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D, GIS, and hydrology/hydraulics modeling software; a track record of optimizing site layouts for cost, schedule, and sustainability.

Tips for this application

• Highlight your experience with data center or mission-critical facility civil design—SB Energy is specifically building data center campuses, so generic renewable energy project experience is less relevant.
• Quantify your impact: mention the MW capacity, acreage, or dollar value of civil works you've led, and how you reduced costs or accelerated schedules.
• Emphasize experience with remote collaboration and cross-functional teams, as this role is fully remote and requires strong digital communication skills.
• Research SB Energy's recent $1B investment from SoftBank and OpenAI, and mention how your civil engineering work supports their AI-driven data center strategy.
• Show familiarity with US building codes, environmental regulations, and permitting processes in key data center markets like Virginia, Texas, and California.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your specific experience leading civil design for data center or large industrial projects, including site selection, grading, and stormwater management.', 'How you have managed external engineering firms and contractors to deliver projects on time and within budget, especially in fast-paced environments.', "Your alignment with SB Energy's mission to integrate renewable energy with data center infrastructure, and excitement about their AI-based digital platform.", 'Your ability to work remotely and collaboratively with a high-caliber, entrepreneurial team, supported by concrete examples of successful remote project delivery.']

Research before applying

• SB Energy's current project portfolio and pipeline, especially their data center campuses and the $1B SoftBank/OpenAI investment announced in 2026.
• The company's AI-based digital platform and how it is used to optimize energy infrastructure and data center design.
• Recent data center civil engineering trends, including liquid cooling, high-density racks, and their impact on site infrastructure.
• Key US data center markets and their specific civil engineering challenges, such as water availability, power availability, and local zoning.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Walk us through a complex data center site development you led—how did you handle grading, drainage, and permitting challenges?
• How do you approach optimizing civil design for both cost and sustainability when integrating with renewable energy generation?
• Describe your experience with fast-track design-build delivery and how you manage external engineering consultants to meet aggressive timelines.
• What tools and software do you rely on for hydrology/hydraulics modeling and civil design, and how do you ensure quality control in a remote setting?
• How would you navigate local permitting and environmental regulations for a new data center campus in a state you haven't worked in before?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic civil engineering resume that doesn't highlight data center or mission-critical facility experience.
• Failing to mention remote work experience or demonstrating poor written communication, as this role is fully remote and heavily reliant on digital collaboration.
• Ignoring SB Energy's unique fusion of renewable energy and data centers—candidates who only talk about traditional energy projects may seem out of touch.