Sustainability Lead (Data Centers)

Jacobs is seeking a Sustainability Lead for Data Centers to oversee sustainability strategies in large hyperscale projects. The role involves ensuring compliance with LEED certification, collaborating with various teams, and championing sustainability throughout the project lifecycle. Candidates can work from any U.S. location, ideally near a Jacobs office, emphasizing the importance of sustainability in achieving environmental goals while managing performance and costs.
Location


Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States




Capabilities


Drafting and Design




Office Setup


Hybrid




Job ID


#39118


Industry


Advanced Manufacturing




At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.




Your impact




This job opportunity is available at ANY location in the United States. Ideally, selected candidates will be near a JACOBS U.S. based office, but we intend to hire the "best" candidates.




At Jacobs, we’re not just building facilities—we’re shaping a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable future. We partner with clients to design, engineer, and deliver advanced, mission‑critical infrastructure that supports global connectivity while minimizing environmental impact.




We’re seeking an experienced and forward‑thinking Data Center Sustainability Lead to support large, hyperscale data center projects. In this role, you’ll provide leadership and oversight for sustainability strategies throughout design, construction, and commissioning, ensuring compliance with LEED certification requirements and client‑driven environmental goals. You’ll collaborate closely with project management, design teams, construction leadership, subcontractors, and clients to integrate sustainable practices into every phase of the project lifecycle.




Most importantly, you’ll champion sustainability as a core project value—balancing performance, schedule, cost, and environmental responsibility—while helping our teams and clients meet aggressive carbon, energy, and water efficiency targets.




As a trusted subject‑matter expert, you’ll guide decision‑making, track performance metrics, and communicate progress toward sustainability objectives on a complex, fast‑paced data center program.




Bring your passion for sustainability, your technical expertise, and your ability to influence cross‑functional teams. We’ll support your continued professional growth as we work together to deliver facilities that perform today and protect tomorrow.



Here’s what you’ll do:


Lead sustainability strategy and implementation for a hyperscale data center project, aligning with client ESG goals and regulatory requirements




Manage and coordinate LEED certification efforts (e.g., LEED BD+C), including documentation, credit tracking, audits, and submission processes




Collaborate with design, engineering, construction, and commissioning teams to integrate sustainable systems and practices into project execution




Support energy efficiency, water conservation, waste diversion, and materials sustainability initiatives tailored to data center environments




Track and report sustainability metrics, including energy use, water use, embodied carbon, and construction waste performance




Provide guidance on sustainable materials, low‑emitting products, responsible sourcing, and construction best practices




Coordinate with third‑party consultants, commissioning agents, and certifying bodies as required




Educate project teams and subcontractors on sustainability requirements, LEED credits, and compliance expectations




Support continuous improvement and innovation in data center sustainability practices across the project




Here's what you'll need




Bachelor’s degree in Sustainability, Environmental Science, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline




At least 7–10 years of experience in sustainability, environmental compliance, or green building implementation on large construction projects




Demonstrated experience managing LEED certification on complex projects



Strong understanding of:


LEED rating systems and documentation processes




Building energy and water efficiency strategies




Construction waste management and materials sustainability




ESG and carbon‑reduction principles as applied to the built environment




Proven ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams in a fast‑paced project environment




Excellent communication, organization, and stakeholder engagement skills



Ideally, you’ll also have:


Experience supporting data center or mission‑critical facility projects




LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) credential




Familiarity with hyperscale data center sustainability challenges such as power density, cooling efficiency, water usage effectiveness (WUE), and utility coordination




Experience with additional sustainability frameworks or tools (e.g., Envision, ISO 14001, carbon accounting platforms)



Posted Salary Range: Minimum


91,400.00



Posted Salary Range: Upper


125,600.00




Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.




The base salary range for this position is $91,400.00 to $125,600.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.




All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on April 30, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.




We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.




Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support .