Data Center Design Lead
Unify Consulting, National Harbor, MD, United States
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Design Management Lead to support large-scale, mission‑critical data center design and construction projects. This role serves as the Owner’s Representative, acting as a trusted advisor and agent to the client throughout all phases of design and construction.
You will work closely with internal stakeholders and a broad ecosystem of third‑party consultants, designers, and contractors to ensure design quality, schedule, cost, and risk are effectively managed from concept through construction administration.
Location Requirement
Must be located within 2 hours driving distance of West Virginia, Virginia Beach, Northern Virginia, Columbus, Ohio, Charleston, South Carolina.
Design & Project Leadership
Serve as the client’s authorized representative across all design and construction‑related activities for data center projects.
Lead and coordinate design efforts across multiple concurrent projects.
Manage escalation and resolution of complex design issues.
Act as the central point of coordination between stakeholders, design consultants, construction managers, and contractors.
Design Planning & Controls
Develop comprehensive design project plans prior to design kickoff.
Establish and maintain design schedules, budgets, and risk logs through design completion.
Coordinate value engineering and constructability reviews at key milestones.
Design Execution & Quality
Oversee development and execution of design contracts and amendments, including:
Site development and utility infrastructure
Data center design
Construction Administration / Services During Construction (CA/SDC)
Ensure QA/QC processes are executed and design gaps or issues are identified and addressed.
Reporting & Stakeholder Communication
Produce monthly design and CA/SDC reports.
Provide transparent reporting on schedule, cost, risk, and design status to stakeholders.
Cost, Contracts & Commercial Management
Coordinate development of cost estimates for scope gaps and design changes.
Support contract negotiations with third‑party vendors.
Support invoice review, payment tracking, and commercial reporting.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related.
5+ years of experience in design management, project management, or owner’s representation roles.
Experience supporting large-scale data center, mission‑critical, or industrial infrastructure projects.
Strong understanding of multidisciplinary design coordination (civil, structural, MEP).
Experience managing schedules, budgets, and risk in highly complex projects.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working directly for or with hyperscale technology clients.
Background in construction administration and design‑phase cost control.
Familiarity with value engineering, constructability reviews, and QA/QC processes.
Contract administration and change management experience.
Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and problem‑solving skills.
$130,000 - $170,000 a year
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We are seeking an experienced Design Management Lead to support large-scale, mission‑critical data center design and construction projects. This role serves as the Owner’s Representative, acting as a trusted advisor and agent to the client throughout all phases of design and construction.
You will work closely with internal stakeholders and a broad ecosystem of third‑party consultants, designers, and contractors to ensure design quality, schedule, cost, and risk are effectively managed from concept through construction administration.
Location Requirement
Must be located within 2 hours driving distance of West Virginia, Virginia Beach, Northern Virginia, Columbus, Ohio, Charleston, South Carolina.
Design & Project Leadership
Serve as the client’s authorized representative across all design and construction‑related activities for data center projects.
Lead and coordinate design efforts across multiple concurrent projects.
Manage escalation and resolution of complex design issues.
Act as the central point of coordination between stakeholders, design consultants, construction managers, and contractors.
Design Planning & Controls
Develop comprehensive design project plans prior to design kickoff.
Establish and maintain design schedules, budgets, and risk logs through design completion.
Coordinate value engineering and constructability reviews at key milestones.
Design Execution & Quality
Oversee development and execution of design contracts and amendments, including:
Site development and utility infrastructure
Data center design
Construction Administration / Services During Construction (CA/SDC)
Ensure QA/QC processes are executed and design gaps or issues are identified and addressed.
Reporting & Stakeholder Communication
Produce monthly design and CA/SDC reports.
Provide transparent reporting on schedule, cost, risk, and design status to stakeholders.
Cost, Contracts & Commercial Management
Coordinate development of cost estimates for scope gaps and design changes.
Support contract negotiations with third‑party vendors.
Support invoice review, payment tracking, and commercial reporting.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related.
5+ years of experience in design management, project management, or owner’s representation roles.
Experience supporting large-scale data center, mission‑critical, or industrial infrastructure projects.
Strong understanding of multidisciplinary design coordination (civil, structural, MEP).
Experience managing schedules, budgets, and risk in highly complex projects.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working directly for or with hyperscale technology clients.
Background in construction administration and design‑phase cost control.
Familiarity with value engineering, constructability reviews, and QA/QC processes.
Contract administration and change management experience.
Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and problem‑solving skills.
$130,000 - $170,000 a year
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