Project Developer Contractor

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, which manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Project Developer Contractor based in the United States. The Project Developer Contractor will lead the development of energy efficiency and infrastructure retrofit projects within existing data centers. This hands-on engineering role spans the entire project development lifecycle, from initial site assessments and technical analysis to cost estimation and client-ready proposals. You will identify opportunities to improve energy performance, validate potential savings, and develop practical solutions for mission-critical facilities. Working directly with clients and technical stakeholders, you will translate complex engineering findings into clear scopes of work and investment recommendations. The role combines fieldwork, analytical problem-solving, financial modeling, and technical communication, with opportunities to help improve internal processes. This flexible consulting engagement offers the potential for long-term career growth and increased project leadership responsibility as the organization expands.

Site Audits and Field Assessments: Conduct site audits and jobsite walkthroughs at operational data centers. Collect equipment nameplate information, field measurements, and operating conditions, documenting existing systems through detailed notes, photographs, and sketches. Engineering Documentation and Quality Assurance: Review field findings for accuracy and completeness, ensuring all technical documentation meets established quality standards and supports reliable project development. Energy Engineering and Savings Analysis: Independently calculate and validate projected energy savings, evaluate potential retrofit opportunities, and prioritize projects based on technical feasibility and expected impact. Building Systems and Operational Analysis: Analyze building automation system (BAS) trend logs, equipment performance, and operational data to support engineering conclusions and refine technical assumptions. Technical Methodologies and Process Improvement: Develop and improve engineering calculation methods, technical assumptions, and standardized procedures for site audits, energy analysis, estimating, and proposal preparation. Cost Estimation and Vendor Coordination: Prepare preliminary and detailed project cost estimates. Request, evaluate, and consolidate vendor quotations and subcontractor pricing to establish realistic project budgets. Financial and Investment Analysis: Develop payback calculations, return on investment (ROI) assessments, and lifecycle cost analyses to evaluate project economics and support client decision-making. Proposal Development: Write technical narratives and scopes of work for client proposals, preparing supporting exhibits, diagrams, calculations, and other technical documentation. Client Presentations and Project Reporting: Translate engineering findings into clear, professional, client-facing recommendations. Present project opportunities, support proof-of-concept documentation, and prepare pilot project reports. Client Relationship Management: Serve as the day-to-day point of contact for assigned projects, maintaining clear communication, responding to technical questions, and coordinating project development activities. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with internal technical teams, vendors, subcontractors, and clients to ensure project recommendations are accurate, practical, and aligned with operational requirements. Professional Growth and Leadership: Contribute to the development of project delivery practices, with opportunities to assume greater responsibility for project teams, client accounts, and business development activities. Requirements: A bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, General Engineering, or a related engineering discipline. Five to seven years of relevant experience in HVAC, mechanical systems, energy engineering, or a closely related technical field. Demonstrated experience conducting jobsite visits, technical audits, or field assessments independently and with minimal supervision. Strong understanding of mechanical and electrical systems, with the ability to assess existing infrastructure and identify practical efficiency improvements. Proven ability to perform energy savings calculations, develop engineering assumptions, evaluate retrofit opportunities, and validate technical findings. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including engineering calculations, financial modeling, cost estimation, and analytical reporting. Experience preparing project budgets, reviewing vendor and subcontractor quotations, and conducting payback, ROI, or lifecycle cost analyses. Strong technical writing and presentation skills, including the ability to explain engineering concepts and recommendations clearly to clients. Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple project activities while maintaining documentation quality. Ability to work independently in active mechanical and electrical environments, including operational data center facilities. Strong communication and collaboration skills, with a practical, solution-oriented approach to technical challenges. Preferred qualifications: Experience with building automation and controls systems; a Professional Engineer (PE) license or Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification with progress toward PE licensure; Certified Energy Manager (CEM) certification or a comparable industry credential; and experience with mission-critical facilities or data center infrastructure projects. Willingness to travel domestically for site assessments and client needs, potentially up to 30% of the time. Must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without employer sponsorship. Visa sponsorship or transfer is not available for this position. Availability to begin projects promptly and accommodate hours based on client and project requirements. Benefits: Contractor flexibility: Consulting engagement with working hours that can be adjusted based on customer and project needs. Compensation: Determined based on experience and qualifications; a specific salary or hourly rate was not provided. Potential full-time opportunity: Possibility of transitioning into a full-time role as the organization grows, depending on business needs and performance. Career advancement: Clear potential to progress into project leadership and management roles with broader responsibility for teams, client accounts, and business development. Professional development: Opportunities for ongoing learning, technical training, mentorship, and engagement with industry developments. Meaningful technical impact: Contribute to energy efficiency, infrastructure modernization, and improved reliability across mission-critical data center environments. Collaborative culture: Work with a team that values curiosity, high standards, thoughtful execution, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Project ownership: Take responsibility for projects from initial field assessment through engineering analysis, cost estimation, and proposal delivery. Growth opportunities: Help shape technical processes, improve project delivery methods, and contribute to the development of sustainable data center solutions.