Architect Design Project Manager
Gilder Search Group, Ashburn, VA, United States
Architect Design Manager (CSA) - Data Center Colo - Ashburn, VA
This opportunity is working directly with a leading mission‑critical data center developer / wholesaler / colo provider. The company provides turnkey data center solutions custom‑fit to the requirements of its clients’ ever‑changing mission‑critical facility’s operational needs, including brownfield and greenfield data center projects—site development, building shell, structural scope, architectural build‑outs, and campus expansions for Hyperscale / Enterprise customers. The role offers career growth in exciting projects, leading‑edge technology, competitive salaries and benefits.
This challenging and unique role will involve managing the design of CSA—Civil / Structural / Architecture—with a focus on new data centers and expansions of existing facilities. The ideal candidate has experience designing projects from an A/E firm as an architect, civil engineer, or structural engineer specifically for large data centers.
Responsibilities include leading a design team, collaborating cross‑functionally with multiple teams, ensuring consistency in architectural principles and best practices, evaluating emerging technologies, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. The role also involves managing vendors, coordinating construction, and acting as the subject‑matter expert for CSA design execution.
Responsibilities
Manage data center design projects with a heavy emphasis on Civil / Site Development, Structural Steel, Concrete and Architectural scope (site layout, grading, utilities, building shell, foundations, footprint, envelope, permitting, designability and constructability)
Act as on‑site rep for CSA Design, proactively driving design partners, coordinating with construction to ensure quality, scope, constructability, schedule, safety, and cost targets are met
Establish CSA project objectives, policies, guidelines, procedures and performance standards within company boundaries; document in clear concise work statements for the field
Manage and work with the engineering team to review, create RFPs and RFIs and provide field level guidance
Act as company's subject matter expert for CSA design execution; support construction team, triage issues and propose solutions for complex technical challenges
Lead design team toward program consistency, ensuring field installations align with company’s design intent, operational goals, safety requirements, and reporting back to the Development & Construction teams
Collaborate closely with development, construction, safety, operations and commissioning teams
Provide technical input on commissioning and support CSA system testing, startup and turnover processes led by the commissioning team
Represent the company as the CSA SME in project meetings, including permitting, utility coordination, Owner‑Architect‑Contractor (OAC) meetings and design coordination calls
Effectively communicate construction standards to internal and external project partners
Maintain strategic relationships with internal/external stakeholders
Actively monitor design progress, identify and resolve design issues, participate in design meetings, lessons learned, and relay findings to Construction and Development teams
Ensure that design and construction are done with operability and maintainability in mind
Ensure design layout day‑to‑day project responsibilities are met by contractors and vendors, emphasizing site readiness milestones, early works, permitting packages, and long‑lead CSA procurement
Follow site layout concepts using Civil 3D, incorporating grading, utilities, and circulation patterns while maintaining flexibility for design evolution
Lead After‑Action Reviews and incorporate lessons learned into policies
Provide subject‑matter expertise on critical systems maintenance and operations; assist with troubleshooting as needed
Provide onsite support during major maintenance activities if required
Ensure proper procedures are written and reviewed before such activities
Design Built‑to‑Suit projects with a heavy emphasis on value‑engineering, including civil scope optimization, structural efficiencies, and enclosure/material alternates
Drive company standards uniformly as it regards project delivery by all participants on all projects, including site design standards, building prototypes, and documentation/turnover requirements
Maintain logs required to track project progress
Lead design initiatives aimed at improving cost, quality, schedule and consistency
Review drawings and specifications and provide input to the design team where needed
Responsible for ensuring the successful execution of CSA design and standards for company’s data center projects
Ensure CSA installations meet company’s design standards, safety policies and operational requirements
Qualifications
BA / BS / Associates Degree a plus—ideally in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Structural Engineering, or Architecture
Licensed RA / EIT / PE a plus
Previous experience at an Architecture / Engineering / Consulting firm a must
Experience with hyperscale / colo / enterprise data center design
CSA focus with working knowledge of land use and land development conventional practices
Experience performing field observations during construction
Must be familiar with the design process of CSA systems for data center and mission‑critical projects, including site layout, site improvements, building envelope, drainage, stormwater, grading, pavement, utilities, structural systems: framing & foundations, architectural coordination, construction detailing, roofing, waterproofing, lighting, millwork, door/frame/hardware, & finishes
Experience with commissioning and handover of CSA systems in a data center environment is preferred
Experience leading a team of architects and engineers over multiple large‑scale projects with a delivery timeline
Previous experience working with engineering consulting / construction firms
Client facing / client relationship / client management skills
Ability to effectively communicate via strong written and verbal communication, complex project details with clear and concise reporting, provide market information and analysis at all organizational levels including senior leadership, utility partners, and internal/external stakeholders
Be able to read and review high level design drawings and one‑lines; ensure field compliance with specs
Ability to analyze and resolve construction issues efficiently
Self‑starter, self‑motivated, strong problem‑solving skills and ability to prioritize well, working independently and within a team
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast‑paced environment
Work onsite / at location with occasional travel to other company colo locations
Active participant in local data center organizations (7x24, AFCOM, DCD, Uptime Institute, DICE Bisnow, etc.) a plus
Previous experience in the Military / Military Veterans a huge plus! Navy; Army; Air Force; Maritime; Coast Guard; Army National Guard, etc.
Benefits
Company offers competitive salaries and benefits package including medical insurance, a 401(k) plan.
EOE/AA Employer M/F/D/V
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This opportunity is working directly with a leading mission‑critical data center developer / wholesaler / colo provider. The company provides turnkey data center solutions custom‑fit to the requirements of its clients’ ever‑changing mission‑critical facility’s operational needs, including brownfield and greenfield data center projects—site development, building shell, structural scope, architectural build‑outs, and campus expansions for Hyperscale / Enterprise customers. The role offers career growth in exciting projects, leading‑edge technology, competitive salaries and benefits.
This challenging and unique role will involve managing the design of CSA—Civil / Structural / Architecture—with a focus on new data centers and expansions of existing facilities. The ideal candidate has experience designing projects from an A/E firm as an architect, civil engineer, or structural engineer specifically for large data centers.
Responsibilities include leading a design team, collaborating cross‑functionally with multiple teams, ensuring consistency in architectural principles and best practices, evaluating emerging technologies, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. The role also involves managing vendors, coordinating construction, and acting as the subject‑matter expert for CSA design execution.
Responsibilities
Manage data center design projects with a heavy emphasis on Civil / Site Development, Structural Steel, Concrete and Architectural scope (site layout, grading, utilities, building shell, foundations, footprint, envelope, permitting, designability and constructability)
Act as on‑site rep for CSA Design, proactively driving design partners, coordinating with construction to ensure quality, scope, constructability, schedule, safety, and cost targets are met
Establish CSA project objectives, policies, guidelines, procedures and performance standards within company boundaries; document in clear concise work statements for the field
Manage and work with the engineering team to review, create RFPs and RFIs and provide field level guidance
Act as company's subject matter expert for CSA design execution; support construction team, triage issues and propose solutions for complex technical challenges
Lead design team toward program consistency, ensuring field installations align with company’s design intent, operational goals, safety requirements, and reporting back to the Development & Construction teams
Collaborate closely with development, construction, safety, operations and commissioning teams
Provide technical input on commissioning and support CSA system testing, startup and turnover processes led by the commissioning team
Represent the company as the CSA SME in project meetings, including permitting, utility coordination, Owner‑Architect‑Contractor (OAC) meetings and design coordination calls
Effectively communicate construction standards to internal and external project partners
Maintain strategic relationships with internal/external stakeholders
Actively monitor design progress, identify and resolve design issues, participate in design meetings, lessons learned, and relay findings to Construction and Development teams
Ensure that design and construction are done with operability and maintainability in mind
Ensure design layout day‑to‑day project responsibilities are met by contractors and vendors, emphasizing site readiness milestones, early works, permitting packages, and long‑lead CSA procurement
Follow site layout concepts using Civil 3D, incorporating grading, utilities, and circulation patterns while maintaining flexibility for design evolution
Lead After‑Action Reviews and incorporate lessons learned into policies
Provide subject‑matter expertise on critical systems maintenance and operations; assist with troubleshooting as needed
Provide onsite support during major maintenance activities if required
Ensure proper procedures are written and reviewed before such activities
Design Built‑to‑Suit projects with a heavy emphasis on value‑engineering, including civil scope optimization, structural efficiencies, and enclosure/material alternates
Drive company standards uniformly as it regards project delivery by all participants on all projects, including site design standards, building prototypes, and documentation/turnover requirements
Maintain logs required to track project progress
Lead design initiatives aimed at improving cost, quality, schedule and consistency
Review drawings and specifications and provide input to the design team where needed
Responsible for ensuring the successful execution of CSA design and standards for company’s data center projects
Ensure CSA installations meet company’s design standards, safety policies and operational requirements
Qualifications
BA / BS / Associates Degree a plus—ideally in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Structural Engineering, or Architecture
Licensed RA / EIT / PE a plus
Previous experience at an Architecture / Engineering / Consulting firm a must
Experience with hyperscale / colo / enterprise data center design
CSA focus with working knowledge of land use and land development conventional practices
Experience performing field observations during construction
Must be familiar with the design process of CSA systems for data center and mission‑critical projects, including site layout, site improvements, building envelope, drainage, stormwater, grading, pavement, utilities, structural systems: framing & foundations, architectural coordination, construction detailing, roofing, waterproofing, lighting, millwork, door/frame/hardware, & finishes
Experience with commissioning and handover of CSA systems in a data center environment is preferred
Experience leading a team of architects and engineers over multiple large‑scale projects with a delivery timeline
Previous experience working with engineering consulting / construction firms
Client facing / client relationship / client management skills
Ability to effectively communicate via strong written and verbal communication, complex project details with clear and concise reporting, provide market information and analysis at all organizational levels including senior leadership, utility partners, and internal/external stakeholders
Be able to read and review high level design drawings and one‑lines; ensure field compliance with specs
Ability to analyze and resolve construction issues efficiently
Self‑starter, self‑motivated, strong problem‑solving skills and ability to prioritize well, working independently and within a team
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast‑paced environment
Work onsite / at location with occasional travel to other company colo locations
Active participant in local data center organizations (7x24, AFCOM, DCD, Uptime Institute, DICE Bisnow, etc.) a plus
Previous experience in the Military / Military Veterans a huge plus! Navy; Army; Air Force; Maritime; Coast Guard; Army National Guard, etc.
Benefits
Company offers competitive salaries and benefits package including medical insurance, a 401(k) plan.
EOE/AA Employer M/F/D/V
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