From Substations to Switchgear: The Power Skillsets Data Centers Can’t Operate Without

Data centers don’t fail because of servers.

They fail because of power.

Behind every hyperscale campus, colocation facility, and edge deployment is a complex electrical ecosystem that must perform flawlessly 24/7. From high-voltage substations to low-voltage distribution panels, every link in the power chain requires specialized talent. And without the right power skillsets in place, uptime is always at risk.

As demand for AI, cloud expansion, and high-density workloads accelerates, operators are discovering a hard truth. Power infrastructure is only as reliable as the people who operate it.

This is where strategic energy and power staffing becomes mission-critical.

Why Power Skillsets Are Now the Backbone of Data Center Operations

Modern data centers operate in environments where even a brief disruption can cause major consequences. According to industry research from the Uptime Institute, power-related issues remain one of the leading causes of major data center outages.

Power systems today are layered and complex electrical architectures. Facilities rely on high-voltage utility interconnections, automated transfer systems, intelligent switchgear, battery energy storage systems, and synchronized generators. These systems must work together seamlessly.

That level of coordination requires trained professionals who understand both theory and hands-on execution.

When electrical teams are understaffed or filled with underqualified talent, facilities face delayed commissioning, inspection failures, increased arc flash risk, poor load balancing, and preventable downtime.

The infrastructure might be world-class, but without the right power engineers, switchgear technicians, and commissioning specialists, reliability is theoretical. Power staffing is no longer just about filling positions. It is about protecting uptime, revenue, and reputation.

For a deeper look at how workforce strategy impacts uptime across critical environments, see our guide on data center staffing solutions.

The Data Center Power Path — And the Talent Behind It

To understand why power staffing matters, you need to understand the power path itself.

1. Utility Interconnection & Substations

Power enters a data center campus from the electrical grid through a high-voltage substation. This is where voltage is stepped down and routed toward distribution equipment.

Substations require engineers who understand protection and control schemes, relay coordination, high-voltage safety standards, utility coordination, and commissioning. These professionals often follow technical frameworks from organizations such as IEEE, which establishes widely recognized electrical engineering standards.

Substation engineers are responsible for ensuring that faults are isolated correctly and that protective relays operate as intended. If protection settings are misconfigured, a single event can escalate into a campus-wide outage.

Without experienced high-voltage talent, facilities risk unsafe conditions, equipment damage, and operational instability.

2. Switchgear & Power Distribution

Once voltage is stepped down, power moves into medium- and low-voltage switchgear systems. These systems distribute electricity across the facility while maintaining redundancy and fault protection.

Switchgear may look static, but it is a dynamic and highly technical system. It requires switchgear technicians, electrical maintenance engineers, arc flash safety specialists, infrared thermography inspectors, and preventive maintenance planners.

Electrical technicians working on switchgear must also understand and comply with standards established by the National Fire Protection Association, particularly NFPA 70E for arc flash safety.

When switchgear maintenance is delayed or handled improperly, thermal failures increase, insulation breakdown can occur, breakers may fail under load, and safety risks increase significantly.

Facilities that invest in specialized power staffing reduce emergency repairs and improve long-term equipment reliability.

3. UPS Systems & Battery Infrastructure

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems bridge the gap between utility failure and generator startup. They keep critical loads energized during transition events.

UPS expertise requires electrical engineers with DC systems knowledge, battery specialists (VRLA, lithium-ion, BESS), controls and automation technicians, and monitoring system engineers.

Battery strings must be inspected regularly. Even one weak cell can compromise an entire bank. As facilities move toward lithium-ion battery storage and energy optimization, the talent requirements become even more specialized.

When UPS systems are not properly maintained, the consequences are immediate. A failed battery bank during an outage removes a key layer of redundancy.

This is why specialized electrical staffing for UPS infrastructure is not optional. It is foundational to uptime.

4. Backup Generators & Transfer Systems

Generators provide sustained backup power during extended outages. Large campuses may operate multiple synchronized units that must function as a single coordinated system.

Generator technicians must understand fuel systems, emissions compliance, synchronization controls, and load bank testing procedures. Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) engineers ensure seamless switching between power sources.

Generators must be exercised on a strict schedule. Skipping routine testing increases the risk of failure when power is needed most.

In mission-critical facilities, generator reliability is directly tied to staffing quality.

The Essential Power Roles Data Centers Must Staff

Below is a breakdown of mission-critical power roles across the facility lifecycle.

Every one of these roles contributes to uptime, but staffing them is getting harder.

Electrical staffing for data centers must align directly with infrastructure complexity, redundancy tier, and megawatt capacity. A 5 MW facility requires a different workforce model than a 100 MW hyperscale campus.

If you’re evaluating staffing benchmarks by facility size, our resource on data center staffing levels provides additional insight.

The Growing Power Talent Shortage

The electrical workforce across the United States is aging. Many experienced high-voltage technicians and protection engineers are retiring faster than they are being replaced.

At the same time:

• AI workloads are increasing power density
• Hyperscale campuses are expanding into new regions
• Edge deployments are multiplying
• Sustainability initiatives require advanced electrical integration

Demand is rising faster than the labor supply.

This imbalance creates hiring bottlenecks. Facilities often compete for the same limited pool of qualified power engineers and technicians.

Organizations that treat power staffing as reactive hiring instead of long-term workforce planning often struggle to scale safely.

Why General Staffing Isn’t Enough

Hiring for data center electrical roles requires technical understanding. A general commercial electrician may not have experience with synchronized generator plants or Tier III redundancy models.

Power staffing in mission-critical environments must account for redundancy design, load flow coordination, commissioning protocols, and arc flash and high-voltage safety.

Recruiters who specialize in critical infrastructure understand these nuances. They screen candidates based on real-world experience with substations, switchgear, UPS systems, and backup generators.

For more on how specialized recruiting improves hiring outcomes, explore our overview of electrical staffing for critical power.

The Business Impact of Power Skill Gaps

When data centers under-staff electrical roles, the impact goes far beyond the maintenance team. Power skill gaps affect uptime, revenue, safety, and long-term operating costs.

Every layer of the power path, from substations to switchgear to UPS and generators, depends on trained professionals to operate safely and efficiently. When even one layer lacks depth, the entire redundancy model becomes vulnerable.

1. Downtime Risk

Power failures remain one of the leading causes of major data center outages. A single breaker failure, relay misconfiguration, or UPS battery issue can escalate quickly.

Even brief disruptions can:

• Impact SLAs and customer contracts
• Trigger financial penalties
• Damage long-term client trust

2. Delayed Commissioning

Commissioning is the phase where power systems are tested under real-world conditions before going live. This includes integrated systems testing across substations, switchgear, UPS systems, and generators.

Without enough qualified commissioning engineers:

• Startup testing slows
• Integrated systems tests may fail
• Utility approvals can stall

Each delayed megawatt represents delayed revenue. For hyperscale builds and colocation facilities, commissioning delays can cost millions in lost opportunity.

3. Increased Safety Risk

Electrical environments carry serious hazards. Substations and switchgear rooms operate at high voltage and high fault current levels.

Common risks include:

• Arc flash events
• Flashover incidents
• High-voltage shock exposure

When teams are understaffed or lack specialized training, safety protocols may not be followed with the precision required in mission-critical facilities.

4. Escalating Maintenance Costs

When facilities lack adequate power skillsets, preventive maintenance often becomes reactive maintenance.

Deferred inspections can lead to:

• Equipment degradation
• Premature component replacement
• Emergency repair costs

Switchgear that is not tested regularly may fail under load. Battery strings that are not monitored closely may weaken over time. Generators that are not exercised properly may fail during real outages.

Skilled power teams reduce long-term capital expenses by identifying small issues before they become major failures. Strategic power staffing protects both uptime and the balance sheet.

Building a Strategic Power Staffing Model

To operate reliably, data centers must shift from reactive hiring to strategic workforce planning. Filling roles only after someone leaves or after a failure occurs creates operational risk.

Instead, organizations need a structured power staffing model aligned with infrastructure complexity and long-term growth.

Here’s how to build one.

1. Map Skillsets to Infrastructure Layers

Start with a full infrastructure audit. Power staffing should reflect the technical depth of the facility.

Evaluate:

• Total megawatt (MW) capacity
• Redundancy tier (N, N+1, 2N)
• Voltage levels at utility interconnection
• UPS configuration and battery chemistry
• Generator plant size and synchronization design

Match staffing levels to infrastructure complexity so that no layer of the power path is left unsupported.

2. Prioritize Commissioning Talent

Commissioning is where design becomes reality. During this phase, engineers validate protection schemes, test transfer sequences, and simulate failure scenarios.

Commissioning engineers with integrated testing experience are essential during new builds and expansions.

Understaffing at this stage can lead to:

• Rework after failed testing
• Failed inspections
• Future operational instability

Commissioning gaps often create problems that surface months later. Strategic power staffing ensures systems are validated thoroughly before customers rely on them.

3. Invest in Ongoing Certification

Power systems evolve. Battery technologies change. Protection standards update. Sustainability initiatives introduce microgrids and energy storage.

Continuous training keeps teams aligned with current standards and technologies.

High-value certifications include:

• Arc flash safety training
• Protective relay testing
• Generator synchronization
• Battery system management

Investing in certification strengthens both safety and reliability. It also improves retention by giving electrical professionals clear development paths.

4. Partner With Specialized Power Staffing Experts

Mission-critical environments require recruiters who understand technical nuance. General staffing firms may not fully grasp redundancy modeling, load flow coordination, or substation architecture.

Specialized power staffing partners evaluate candidates based on:

• Experience with substations and utility interconnections
• Switchgear maintenance cycles
• UPS and battery infrastructure knowledge
• Critical power testing protocols

This precision reduces time-to-hire while improving technical alignment.

In high-growth data center markets, access to pre-qualified electrical talent networks can determine whether expansion timelines are met or delayed.

Future Trends Increasing Power Talent Demand

Emerging trends will continue increasing demand for power engineers and technicians. As artificial intelligence workloads grow, rack densities increase, which places greater stress on electrical distribution systems. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are becoming more common, introducing new technical requirements for monitoring and safety.

On-site renewable integration and microgrid deployment add further complexity to substations, switchgear, and generator coordination.

Each innovation layer introduces new electrical requirements. The more advanced the infrastructure becomes, the more critical specialized power staffing becomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is power staffing in data centers?

Power staffing refers to recruiting and placing specialized electrical professionals responsible for operating and maintaining data center power infrastructure, including substations, switchgear, UPS systems, and generators.

Why are substations critical to data center operations?

Substations regulate and distribute incoming utility power. Any failure at this level can disrupt entire campuses, making substation engineering talent essential.

What skills are required to work on data center switchgear?

Switchgear technicians must understand breaker testing, arc flash safety, preventive maintenance planning, and fault isolation procedures.

How does UPS infrastructure affect staffing needs?

UPS systems require specialists in battery management, DC systems, and automated monitoring platforms to ensure seamless power transitions during outages.

Are power engineers hard to hire right now?

Yes. High-voltage engineers and protection specialists are in short supply due to retirements and increased demand from infrastructure expansion.

How does power staffing impact uptime?

Skilled electrical teams reduce the risk of outages by ensuring equipment is properly commissioned, tested, and maintained.

What certifications are important for data center power professionals?

Arc flash safety training, protective relay certification, generator testing expertise, and battery system management certifications are highly valuable.

The Bottom Line: Infrastructure Is Only as Strong as Its People

Substations. Switchgear. UPS systems. Generators.

These components form the backbone of every data center. But equipment alone does not guarantee uptime.

The real advantage comes from the electrical expertise behind the infrastructure.

As facilities scale to support AI, cloud computing, and digital transformation, power skillsets will define operational success.

Strategic power staffing isn’t optional.

It’s foundational.

Power Staffing Built for Mission-Critical Environments

At Broadstaff, we understand that hiring for substations is different from hiring for switchgear, and different again from recruiting UPS or generator specialists. Each role requires a distinct technical background, certification path, and operational mindset.

Our approach to power staffing is built around:

• Infrastructure fluency
• Technical precision
• Speed without sacrificing quality
• Deep electrical talent networks

Because in mission-critical environments, every hire directly impacts uptime.

If your facility is scaling, expanding, or upgrading power systems, now is the time to ensure your electrical workforce is built to match your infrastructure ambitions.

Let’s power your uptime together.