Lead Design Engineer - Structural Steel

Eaton Corporation•Woodridge, IL

7d•$97,000 - $143,000•Remote

About The Position

Eaton's Data Center Solutions division is seeking a Lead Design Engineer - Structural Steel with proven expertise in tubular steel structure design, analysis, and documentation for data center whitespace infrastructure. This is a specialist-level individual contributor role who bring independent analytical rigor, code-level structural calculation fluency, and direct experience designing the structural systems that support overhead power, cooling, containment, and cable management infrastructure within live and new-build data center environments. The expected annual salary range for this role is $97,000 - $143,000 a year. Please note the salary information shown above is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. Eaton's Data Center Solutions division is at the center of one of the most capital-intensive infrastructure build cycles in history — powering and cooling the compute that runs AI, cloud, and enterprise applications worldwide. This Engineering Specialist role offers a structural engineer with a consulting background the opportunity to apply deep technical expertise inside a product and manufacturing organization: influencing how structural systems are designed, standardized, and scaled across thousands of data center deployments.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Civil, or Structural Engineering from an accredited institution
Minimum of five (5) years of structural engineering or engineering mechanics experience.
Strong background in structural analysis, structural dynamics, structural design, and engineering mechanics for with structural systems in data center, mission-critical, industrial, or manufacturing facility environments — specifically overhead support structures, non-building structures, or equipment support platforms is required.
Proficiency in structural analysis software: SAP2000, LS-DYNA, or equivalent frame/FEA tools; ability to validate software output with hand calculations.
Working knowledge of Autodesk Revit for structural modeling and Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) for multi-discipline coordination.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Structural Engineering with thesis or research focus in steel structures, connection design, or structural dynamics.
PE (Professional Engineer) licensure preferred
Direct experience designing overhead whitespace infrastructure for data centers: containment frames, busway and cable tray support structures, cooling pipe support systems, and related non-building structural assemblies.
Familiarity with AISC Design Guide series relevant to HSS connections, torsion, and welded steel construction.

Responsibilities

Design and analyze structural systems for data center whitespace infrastructure, including power distribution, containment systems, cable management, cooling equipment supports, and modular assemblies.
Perform structural engineering calculations, member sizing, connection design, and load analysis for gravity, seismic, lateral, and dynamic loading conditions.
Develop complete structural calculation packages, including load assessments, deflection checks, anchorage design, and supporting documentation for design reviews and approvals.
Evaluate complex assemblies using structural analysis tools (e.g., SAP2000, FEA software) and validate results with engineering judgment and hand calculations.
Assess and modify existing infrastructure for retrofit, upgrade, and capacity expansion projects, ensuring structures can safely support new loads.
Create and coordinate structural drawings and BIM/Revit models, including fabrication details, installation plans, clash detection, and multi-discipline coordination.
Support new product development by collaborating with mechanical and MEP teams, providing structural input, risk assessments, design-for-manufacturing feedback, and testing requirements.
Serve as the structural engineering expert for customers, contractors, engineers of record, and regulators, supporting delegated design submittals, technical reviews, project proposals, and site-specific solutions.