Independent Contractor Mep Electrical Design Engineer Jobs in Oregon

Armada builds and deploys ruggedized, modular, containerized data centers that bring high-density AI compute to locations where traditional data centers cannot go. We are scaling production across multiple international markets, with deployments ranging from multi-megawatt GPU clusters to large-scale multi-unit campuses at up to 400 kW/rack. 

Armada needs an Electrical Design Engineer to work directly under the Senior Electrical Design Engineer on the power and integration team. This is a hands-on design role: you will own the electrical design for modular units from single-line through commissioning, review vendor submittals, and directly support manufacturing partners and deployment teams across multiple time zones. You will not be writing specs from an ivory tower - you will be on calls with manufacturers early in the morning, reviewing arc flash studies at noon, and answering field questions from a commissioning crew in the evening. 

This role is for someone who wants to ship hardware, not produce reports. 

What You'll Do (Key Responsibilities)

• Develop and maintain electrical designs for modular containerized data centers: single-line diagrams, load calculations, panel schedules, grounding, cable sizing, and raceway layouts across multiple low-voltage distribution standards (480 V and other international LV systems). 
• Run protective device coordination, arc flash, and short-circuit studies in SKM, ETAP, or equivalent. Produce labels and coordination reports that will be used in the field. 
• Review and redline vendor submittals for UPS systems, battery systems, cooling distribution units, switchgear, main distribution boards, PDUs, and generator/ATS packages. Hold vendors accountable to the spec; flag discrepancies early. 
• Support manufacturing partners: answer RFIs, resolve conflicts on layout and piping/cable routing, and participate in factory witness testing. 
• Contribute to multi-jurisdictional compliance across a range of international electrical, fire, and mission-critical facility codes, and coordinate with local Authorities Having Jurisdiction. 
• Produce clear engineering documentation: Statements of Requirements, design basis memos, block diagrams, and commissioning procedures. If you hate writing, this is not the job. 
• Work alongside mechanical, controls, structural, and fire protection engineers - and with external consultants. You will be expected to push back when something is wrong, regardless of seniority. 
• Support field commissioning and troubleshooting, including occasional international travel to manufacturing partner sites, deployments, and trade events. 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited program. 
• 3-7 years of post-degree experience in electrical design, with at least 2 years in data centers, mission-critical facilities, industrial power, or equivalent complex power distribution. 
• Demonstrated working knowledge of the NEC (NFPA 70) and, ideally, one or more IEC-based national codes. Multi-jurisdictional design experience is a strong plus. 
• Hands-on experience with protection coordination and arc flash software (SKM PowerTools, ETAP, EasyPower, or similar). 
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical and/or Revit MEP, plus Bluebeam Revu (or equivalent) for submittal markup. 
• Familiarity with UPS systems (double-conversion topology, battery sizing, parallel operation), medium- and low-voltage switchgear, transformers, and generator/ATS integration. 
• Ability to read mechanical and structural drawings well enough to catch interdisciplinary conflicts before they hit manufacturing. 
• Clear written communication. You will be writing RFI responses, submittal reviews, and technical memos read by vendors and executives. 

Preferred Experience and Skills

• PE or EIT licensure is a plus; neither is required. 
• Experience with containerized or modular/prefabricated data center products. 
• Knowledge of high-density liquid-cooled GPU systems and their electrical implications - inrush, harmonics, rack-level power distribution, busway. 
• Working familiarity with battery chemistries beyond VRLA and lithium-ion, and with UL 9540A or equivalent large-scale battery testing requirements. 
• Familiarity with NFPA 70E, NFPA 75/76, NFPA 110, and NFPA 855 as they apply to mission-critical and energy storage installations. 
• Experience coordinating with multiple AHJs and international insurance bodies on mission-critical approvals. 
• Exposure to BMS/DCIM integration, BACnet/Modbus, and the electrical side of controls handoffs. 
• Experience working with external manufacturing partners and consultants across multiple time zones.