Principal Architect, NA

Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world's well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

Design Engineering Department

The Design & Engineering (D&E) team drives the technology, innovation and new development of data center infrastructure across Vantage's company wide portfolio. D&E evaluates new sites, drives cost and scheduling in line with corporate goals and serves as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) across the entire project lifecycle from concept through commissioning. The team collaborates with Sales, Operations and management along the way.

D&E also works hand-in-hand with the Construction team to come up with a vertically integrated design and ensures new and existing standards and designs are executed effectively.

At the heart of our vision is the creation of critical infrastructure that facilitates human connection, creativity, sharing, and collective aspirations. Our mission revolves around providing our Customers with consistently exceptional facilities swiftly and enjoying the process while doing so. This dedication extends to our Customers, Construction teams, and Site Operations teams.

One thing that distinguishes Vantage is that our technical staff are given the responsibility and authority to directly drive tangible results. Our team can align long-term operational sustainability with value engineering and cost metrics to deliver products aligned with corporate goals. This approach empowers each member of the team to drive high-impact decisions and results.

The Design Engineering team guides the development and operation of best-in-class data centers for hyperscale customers by providing business-minding Design and Engineering expertise.

Position Overview

Vantage is seeking a driven Principal Architect, NA. In this role you will provide architectural thought leadership as part of the Design Engineering, NA Team. The successful candidate will be accountable for driving innovation and development of the Civil, Structural, Architectural (CSA) discipline at a programmatic and proactive level to ensure our data center development program remains innovative and efficient.

The Principal Architect will work closely with other subject area leads and SMEs, both globally and regionally, inside the company and outside, to develop and maintain high quality design standards and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that will be demonstrated for site-specific campus planning, data center design, construction, and long-term operation.

To be successful in this role, the Principal Architect must thrive in a fast-paced environment, work well both independently and collaboratively, be passionate about driving CSA design standards, be adept at prioritizing efforts, and able to balance multiple variables to arrive at optimal solutions that meet at the intersection of physics, codes, industry norms, constructability, and business goals!

The ideal candidate will bring the right blend of confidence, perseverance, management/leadership skills, and an open mind to the Engineering Team!

Essential Job Functions

Project Leadership & Impact

• Drive strategic vision and technical excellence for CSA (Civil, Structural, Architectural) design across North America, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and industry best practices.

• Lead complex, high-impact projects from inception through delivery, influencing outcomes that optimize cost, schedule, and quality.

• Serve as the ultimate technical authority for CSA discipline, setting standards and guiding critical decisions that shape data center development.

Influence & Collaboration

• Act as a trusted advisor to department leadership, customers, and external partners, influencing decisions through deep expertise and strategic insight.

• Foster strong cross-functional collaboration with internal teams and external consultants to achieve integrated, innovative solutions.

Autonomy & Decision-Making

• Operate with full autonomy in defining technical strategies, resolving complex design challenges, and approving critical design decisions.

• Balance competing priorities - technical, financial, and operational - to deliver optimized solutions that meet business objectives.

• Anticipate risks and proactively implement mitigation strategies to ensure project success.

Managerial Capacity

• Influence organizational design standards and processes, driving continuous improvement and scalability.

• demonstrated success working cross functionally, driving the development of design standards that impact multiple stakeholder functions

• Contribute to workforce development through training programs, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and succession planning.

• Provide leadership and…