Senior Design Manager, 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 Integration Group

The Design Integration Group (DIG) at Vantage is responsible for the stewardship and execution of the data center design through the project lifecyle, from early development through construction and handover to operations, and includes the Design Management, Design Engineering and Regional Product teams. Collaborating closely with the Regional Product, Design Engineering, New Site Development, Construction and Operations teams, Design Management functions as the interconnective hub that owns the project design and its reporting and communication, bridging strategy and execution to ensure design excellence, predictability, and scalability.

Position Overview

This role can be based in any of our US locations: Denver, CO; Phoenix, AZ; Santa Clara, CA; or Ashburn, VA in alignment with our flexible work policy (3 days on site required, 2 days flexible).

The Senior Design Manager (PR03) is a senior individual contributor responsible for leading complex design projects and initiatives across the data center lifecycle. This role independently manages project deliverables, coordinates with cross-functional teams, and ensures design solutions meet technical, operational, and customer requirements. The Senior Design Manager applies advanced technical expertise, process discipline, and stakeholder engagement to drive project success, innovation, and continuous improvement. This role does not have direct reports but may mentor or coordinate the work of others.

Essential Job Functions

Project Leadership & Coordination

• Lead design projects from concept through handover, ensuring alignment with organizational standards and customer needs.

• Act as the primary point of contact for design-related communication, milestones, and deliverables across Development, Engineering, Construction, and Operations.

• Independently manage project schedules, deliverables, and technical documentation with minimal oversight.

Design Oversight & Technical Expertise

• Drive design phases (concept schematic design development IFC) for hyperscale campuses (50-500+ MW portfolios).

• Collaborate with external architects and consultants, ensuring scope clarity and integration into internal workflows.

• Maintain compliance with hyperscaler design standards, resiliency tiers, redundancy philosophies, and security frameworks.

• Supports strategic decisioning and collaborates effectively across other departments

Process Improvement & Risk Management

• Identify and implement value engineering opportunities that reduce cost, schedule, and complexity without compromising resilience.

• Conduct design risk assessments, mitigation planning, and QA/QC audits.

• Support sequencing, schedule planning, and cost modeling for multi-wave campus builds.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Construction, Procurement, Telecom, Power, Security, Controls, Commissioning, and Operations teams to ensure seamless execution.

• Coordinate regional design feedback loops to improve product and design standards.

• Mentor junior team members and share technical expertise.

Technology & Innovation

• Promote strategies such as modular design, prefabrication, and advanced cooling/power topologies.

• Validate integration for AI/ML clusters, GPU environments, and next-gen infrastructure.

• Ensure compliance with building codes, energy standards, sustainability goals, and utility requirements.

Key Deliverables

• Design packages that meet VDC and operational standards-delivered on time, on budget, and in compliance with governance requirements.

• SSOPR (Site Specific Owner's Project Requirements) documented and optimized.

• Milestone reporting: design schedules, cost benchmarks, and progress metrics.

• Lessons Learned repository and structured feedback integration.

Key Competencies

• Advanced project management and organizational skills.

• Strong communication and interpersonal abilities; skilled at managing conflicting priorities.

• Technical fluency in electrical and mechanical infrastructure (UPS, generators, switchgear, CRAH/CRAC, chillers, MV/LV, busway).

• Familiarity with BIM tools (Revit, Navisworks, AutoCAD) and PM software (Procore, MS Project, ClickUp).

• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment with ambiguity tolerance and data-driven decision-making.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction, Mechanical or Electrical disciplines (or equivalent experience).

• 8+ years in mission-critical, data center, or industrial infrastructure design.

• Proven experience delivering hyperscale facilities or large critical infrastructure projects.

• Strong understanding of commissioning, integrated systems testing (IST), and operational handoff.

• Additional duties as assigned by Management

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction, Mechanical or Electrical disciplines (or equivalent experience)
  * 8+ years in mission-critical, data center, or industrial infrastructure design
  * Experience delivering hyperscale facilities, colo campuses, or large critical infrastructure
  * Technical leadership across MEP systems, redundancy models, and constructability
  * Strong understanding of commissioning, integrated systems testing (IST), and operational handoff

• Travel required is expected to be up to 20% but may increase over time as the business evolves

Key Competencies

• Strong project management skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities; skilled at managing conflicting priorities

• High level of integrity and professionalism

• Stakeholder Alignment & Executive Communication

• Process Development & Change Leadership

• Project Controls & KPI Reporting

• Vendor and Consultant Management

• Risk Management & Decision-Making Discipline

• Hyperscale campus delivery (multi-MW greenfield & live-site expansion)

• Electrical + mechanical infrastructure fluency preferred (UPS, generators, switchgear, CRAH/CRAC, chillers, MV/LV, busway)

• Familiarity with BIM/Coordination tools (Revit, Navisworks, AutoCAD, Bluebeam)

• PM software (Procore, MS Project, Primavera P6, Asana, ClickUp)

• Fast-paced execution, ambiguity tolerance, and data-driven decision-making

Physical Demands and Special Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop or kneel; talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Additional Details

• Salary Range: $160,000 - $190,000 + Bonus (this range is based on Colorado market data and may vary in other locations)

• This position is eligible for company benefits including but not limited to medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and AD&D, short and long-term disability coverage, paid time off, employee assistance, participation in a 401k program that includes company match, and many other additional voluntary benefits.

• Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including your qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience and may fall outside of the range shown. #LI-AP2 #LI-Hybrid

We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other's strengths and respecting each other's weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.

Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community.

Don't meet all the requirements? Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values.

Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Vantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers.

We'll be accepting applications for at least one week from the date this role is posted. If you're interested, we encourage you to apply soon-we're excited to find the right person and will keep the role open until we do!