Mission Critical Architect

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural design efforts for data centers, colocation facilities, and other mission critical/high-reliability facility types from programming through construction administration.
• Serve as senior technical authority on mission critical design considerations, including redundancy, resiliency, security, and operational continuity requirements.
• Collaborate closely with structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection engineers to ensure fully coordinated, code-compliant mission critical facility designs.
• Translate client operational requirements (Tier/Uptime Institute ratings, N+1/2N redundancy, security classifications, etc.) into architectural design solutions.
• Lead client-facing design meetings, workshops, and presentations, acting as a primary technical liaison for mission critical projects.
• Oversee preparation of design documents, specifications, and construction documents, ensuring compliance with applicable codes, industry standards, and client design criteria.
• Provide quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) review across all phases of design for mission critical projects.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to project architects, designers, and junior staff.
• Support business development, including proposal development, client presentations, and interviews for mission critical facility pursuits.
• Stay current on evolving mission critical facility industry standards, security requirements, and best practices, bringing forward innovative and resilient facility design solutions.
• Provide construction administration support, including review of submittals, RFIs, and site observations for mission critical facility projects.
• Manage project scope, schedule, and budget in coordination with project management and firm leadership.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or master’s degree in architecture from a NAAB-accredited program
• Minimum of 16 years of architectural experience, with substantial, direct experience designing data centers and/or other mission critical facilities
• Registered Architect (licensure in Maryland, or ability to obtain reciprocity, required)
• Demonstrated expertise in mission critical facility design principles, including redundancy strategies, security layering, and facility resiliency.
• Strong knowledge of applicable building codes, life safety requirements, and industry standards relevant to mission critical facilities (e.g., Uptime Institute Tier standards).
• Prior experience with hyperscale, colocation, enterprise, or government/defense mission critical facility clients.
• Familiarity with security design requirements for classified or high-security facilities.
• LEED accreditation or experience with sustainable/energy-efficient mission critical design.
• Experience in a multi-disciplinary A/E consulting environment.

Qualifications

• US Citizenship Required

Benefits

• Flexible work schedule options
• Competitive salary
• Leave accrual and paid holidays
• Healthcare benefits
• Group Life Insurance, as well as additional optional life Insurance
• Short and long term disability insurance
• Flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care reimbursement
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Parental and maternity leave benefits