Data Center Design Engineering Manager - Construction

Data Center Design Engineering Manager - Construction
Position Overview
The Data Center Design Engineering Manager is responsible for overseeing and coordinating design engineering services throughout the construction phase of large-scale, mission-critical data center projects. This role ensures design intent is maintained during execution, serves as the technical authority between design and construction teams, and drives timely resolution of complex design-construction challenges.
The ideal candidate brings deep experience across the full data center design lifecycle, strong construction administration expertise, and the ability to lead multiple design partners while operating with a high degree of ownership, judgment, and accountability.
Key Responsibilities
Design Engineering Leadership During Construction

• Lead and manage design engineering services during the construction phase, ensuring design integrity and alignment with approved standards.
• Perform technical reviews of RFIs, submittals, and design clarifications, maintaining response quality and adherence to SLA expectations.
• Review and validate design changes during construction, coordinating modifications with design leadership to ensure compliance and continuity.
• Lead technical discussions during OAC meetings, providing decisive design guidance to resolve construction challenges.

On-Site Execution & Issue Resolution

• Conduct site visits and inspections to verify compliance with design documents and address urgent design-construction issues.
• Attend critical meetings across the AMER region to resolve high-impact design or construction conflicts.
• Coordinate and lead site punch walks across all disciplines, ensuring proper documentation and stakeholder communication.

Team Coordination & Project Oversight

• Direct and coordinate external design teams (AORs, EORs), setting priorities, deadlines, and accountability to meet construction milestones.
• Monitor and enforce design team compliance with review SLAs for RFIs and submittals.
• Proactively identify, assess, and escalate design-related risks, providing recommended mitigation strategies to leadership.

Documentation & Closeout

• Maintain comprehensive design documentation using project management platforms such as Procore and Smartsheet.
• Ensure proper archiving of models, drawings, reports, and quality documentation.
• Oversee project closeout documentation, including record drawings, field reports, lessons learned, and AHJ certificates.

Top 3 Required Skills

Data Center Design & Construction Lifecycle Expertise

• End-to-end experience from concept through construction completion, with strong construction-phase design leadership.

Design Team Leadership & Coordination

• Proven ability to manage multiple design partners and cross-functional stakeholders during active construction.

Technical & Platform Proficiency

• Advanced experience with construction administration tools such as Procore and Smartsheet, including RFI and submittal workflows.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, or a related field
• 7+ years of experience across the full data center design lifecycle
• Demonstrated experience managing design teams during construction
• Strong knowledge of construction administration processes and documentation
• Experience delivering mission-critical facilities
• Proficiency with construction management software (Procore, Smartsheet)
• Excellent communication, judgment, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to travel within the AMER region as required