How to apply for Senior Structural Engineer, Data Centers - Remote (U.S.)

About AECOM

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm with data center teams in the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. The company describes its work as building sustainable legacies through infrastructure and environmental solutions. This role sits inside a global data center practice serving global clients.

About the role

You will lead and perform structural design and analysis for multiple data center buildings, including hyperscale and colocation facilities. The work covers large-scale concrete and steel structures on fast-paced technology and industrial projects. The role is primarily remote but client-facing, with occasional pre-scheduled travel for client meetings, project milestones, and onsite collaboration.

A typical day

A typical day involves structural design and analysis for one or more data center buildings, likely across multiple active projects. You may coordinate with global AECOM teams, review design documents, and communicate with clients. Occasional travel days are scheduled in advance for client meetings, project milestones, or onsite collaboration sessions.

Who AECOM is looking for

• Has direct experience designing hyperscale and colocation data center facilities, not just general industrial or commercial buildings.
• Brings strong technical depth in large-scale concrete and steel structural design and analysis.
• Has a track record delivering fast-paced technology or industrial projects on tight schedules.
• Shows interest or experience in low carbon and resilient design strategies.

Tips for this application

• Name specific hyperscale or colocation data center projects in your resume, including building type, size, and your structural scope.
• Quantify concrete and steel structure experience (square footage, tonnage, foundation types, seismic or wind design).
• State your location and confirm you can work remotely from a US location where AECOM has an office, since the posting ties remote eligibility to office locations.
• Acknowledge the occasional travel requirement in your application so it is clear you can attend client meetings and project milestones.
• Highlight any low carbon, embodied carbon, or resilience work in structural design, since the posting calls this out directly.

What to cover in your cover letter

Cover letter should emphasize: (1) specific hyperscale and colocation data center projects you have led or contributed to; (2) your technical work in large-scale concrete and steel structures; (3) examples of delivering fast-paced technology or industrial projects; (4) any involvement in low carbon or resilient design strategies. Also state your US location and willingness to travel occasionally for client and project needs.

Research before applying

• AECOM's data center practice and any published hyperscale or colocation projects in the Americas and globally.
• AECOM office locations in the US, since remote eligibility is tied to being based where AECOM has an office.
• AECOM's stated sustainability and low carbon design commitments as they relate to infrastructure and buildings.
• Recent AECOM structural engineering work in technology or industrial sectors to understand project scale and client types.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Walk through a hyperscale or colocation data center project you led structurally, including concrete and steel systems used.
• How do you handle structural design changes under fast-paced technology project schedules?
• What is your approach to low carbon and resilient structural design in large industrial buildings?
• How do you coordinate structural work with other disciplines and global teams on multi-office projects?
• Describe your experience as a client-facing engineer, including how you handle client meetings and milestone reviews.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying without any data center project experience when the role explicitly requires hyperscale or colocation facility design.
• Ignoring the travel requirement or assuming the role is fully remote with no onsite commitments.
• Submitting a resume that lists general structural work without concrete and steel specifics or project scale.