Senior Architedctrual Design Lead

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior technical lead and primary decision-maker for CSLA disciplines across complex, large-scale data center projects, guiding each phase from conceptual planning and schematic design through construction documentation, administration, and final turnover.
• Establish and enforce design standards, review all deliverables for technical quality and completeness, and drive continuous improvement in architectural processes, tools, and outcomes across the CSLA discipline.
• Collaborate with internal teams including R&D, Construction, and Operations and external stakeholders including EoRs, contractors, and regulatory bodies to resolve complex challenges, mitigate risks, and ensure timely, cost-effective delivery with a focus on safety, functionality, and sustainability.
• Research and lead the integration of innovative architectural solutions and emerging design trends to enhance the scalability, sustainability, and operational efficiency of data center facilities.
• Lead the issuance of RFPs, evaluate vendor proposals, manage contract execution, and ensure that all design-related documentation including change proposals, invoices, submittals, and reports aligns with project requirements and quality standards.
• Hold EoR teams accountable to project milestones and quality standards, providing constructive feedback and driving alignment across construction, operations, and all project stakeholders throughout all phases of delivery.
• Proactively identify and address potential project risks, adjusting schedules and strategies as needed to respond to evolving business demands and maintain project momentum.
• Lead hands-on testing, mock-up reviews, and commissioning activities to ensure systems are installed, integrated, and validated to the highest performance standards.
• Serve as the primary point of contact between internal teams, consultants, and contractors, ensuring seamless communication and timely issue resolution across all project stages.
• Maintain comprehensive oversight of project status, decision-making processes, and key milestones, ensuring accurate and up-to-date documentation is shared with all internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide authoritative technical guidance on building systems design, ensuring all architectural and CSLA designs comply with applicable industry standards, codes, and client specifications for mission-critical environments.
• Drive cross-disciplinary collaboration to ensure integrated and cohesive system designs, maintaining alignment between the architectural team and all other design disciplines throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead design, delivery, and quality meetings to resolve critical issues, align stakeholders, and drive successful project outcomes at every phase.
• Collaborate with the Quality team, leading site reviews, system integration checks, issue resolution, and commissioning script review to ensure optimal system performance and design intent compliance.
• Support Facilities Engineering and Operations teams with technical guidance and knowledge transfer to ensure smooth system operation and a seamless handover throughout the project lifecycle.

Requirements

• Licensed Architect with a minimum of 10 years of experience in the design, development, and delivery of large-scale, high-performance, mission-critical data center facilities.
• Proven track record leading CSLA design disciplines on hyperscale, colocation, or enterprise data center projects from concept through commissioning and final turnover.
• In-depth knowledge of construction standards, building regulations, permitting processes, and safety protocols for large-scale, mission-critical infrastructure projects.
• Advanced proficiency in Revit/BIM, Bluebeam, Autodesk, and Google Suite, with demonstrated ability to coordinate large-scale CSLA designs within a BIM-driven project environment.
• Deep expertise in structural design across multiple materials including steel, concrete, and mass timber, with a comprehensive understanding of architectural details and building systems as they apply to data center environments.
• Extensive experience in geotechnical design, structural engineering, landscape architecture, and integrating sustainable practices into the design of mission-critical facilities.
• Demonstrated experience with redundancy strategies, fault-tolerant design principles, and high-uptime facility requirements specific to data center environments.
• Knowledge of advanced security systems, physical access control, interior and exterior finishes, and other specialized systems required for mission-critical environments.
• Strong familiarity with Environmental Health and Safety regulations and their application throughout the architectural design and construction process.
• Comprehensive understanding of professional services from conceptual planning and site selection through detailed design, construction administration, and project close-out.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design concepts, technical decisions, and project progress to diverse audiences including senior leadership, contractors, and external stakeholders.
• Passion for improving design processes, driving continuous improvement, and advancing the quality and efficiency of mission-critical project delivery.
• Proficient with Microsoft Productivity Suite products.