Data Center Design Lead

Position Title: Data Center Design Lead

Location: Kansas City Ashburn Dallas or St Louis

Your role

As the Design Manager you will be responsible for implementing Digital Realty Design & Engineering Guidelines & Standards and will lead the design of multiple concurrent projects. This includes supporting large-scale multi-phase data center campus developments (hundreds of MW to gigawatt-scale) as well as complex tenant-driven build-to-suit programs with highly customized technical schedule and delivery requirements.

Youll provide strategic and innovative thinking regarding the design and engineering of our data center development projects and manage challenging deliverables against aggressive project expectations (within budget and set schedule objectives).

What youll do

• Direct and oversee architects engineers consultants and equipment suppliers through the full design lifecycle for both new builds (greenfield campuses powered shell/core hyperscale data centers) and renovation/upgrade projects.
• Support large multi-building campus deployments ensuring design consistency scalability and phased expansion planning across long-term development programs.
• Lead end-to-end RFP processes for Architectural/Engineering consultants and Commissioning Agents including proposal evaluation and vendor selection recommendations.
• Manage consultant performance including invoice review/approval and tracking of Design & Engineering Guideline (DEG) deviations across projects.
• Apply and uphold Digital Realty Design & Engineering standards to ensure alignment with industry best practices and business objectives with a focus on value engineering repeatability and speed-to-market.
• Partner with Delivery teams to develop and review project schedules budgets and forecasts for design and construction activities with a focus on fast-track and phased campus delivery models.
• Review OFCI equipment submittals and provide recommendations to Delivery and Procurement teams ensuring alignment with program-level standards and long-lead procurement strategies.
• Lead design review sessions (e.g. page turns) evaluating drawings Basis of Design Sequence of Operations commissioning plans and testing scripts across multiple concurrent builds.
• Serve as the primary customer interface for large hyperscale build-to-suit engagements leading consultant teams and developing detailed work letters (scope budget schedule) in partnership with Sales and Business Development.
• Translate tenant-specific technical requirements into scalable campus-aligned design solutions while balancing standardization and customization.
• Prepare and deliver executive-level presentations and monthly project reports ensuring alignment with gating processes and seamless transition to Delivery teams.
• Build and manage vendor relationships; conduct site visits and participate in commissioning activities (Levels 4 & 5); contribute to internal design innovation standardization efforts and continuous improvement across program delivery.

What youll need

• 7 years of experience managing technically complex projects including direct design experience preferably within large-scale multi-phase developments or mission-critical environments.
• Experience supporting hyperscale or enterprise tenant-driven build-to-suit projects and/or campus-style deployments is strongly preferred.
• Bachelors degree in a related discipline; Professional License (AIA PE/PEng) preferred.
• Ability to lead and manage internal teams external partners and project stakeholders across multiple concurrent projects or program phases.
• Strong ability to interpret design/construction drawings specifications contracts schedules and detailed budgets.
• Advanced understanding of electrical mechanical security/monitoring and fire detection/suppression systems particularly in high-availability data center environments.
• Comprehensive knowledge of design and construction industry practices terminology and contract structures.
• Familiarity with applicable building codes and regulatory requirements across various jurisdictions.
• Financial acumen with the ability to review analyze and provide recommendations on budgets and estimates at both project and program levels.
• Proficiency in MS Office and AutoCAD.
• Strong team collaboration communication and relationship-building skills; self-motivated with the ability to work independently with minimal oversight; prior experience with Digital Realty projects and DEG knowledge preferred.

A bit about us

Digital Realty brings companies and data together by delivering the full spectrum of data center colocation and interconnection solutions. PlatformDIGITAL the companys global data center platform provides customers with a secure data meeting place and a proven Pervasive Datacenter Architecture (PDx) solution methodology for powering innovation and efficiently managing Data Gravity challenges. Digital Realty gives its customers access to the connected data communities that matter to them with a global data center footprint of 300 facilities in 50 metros across 25 countries on six continents.

To learn more about Digital Realty please visit or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

A bit about our team

Our Operations team keeps our customers infrastructure running safely and securely. We get plenty of opportunities to take on a variety of tasks and develop our technical skills. From overseeing electrical power to cooling and fire suppression systems our team plays a vital role in making sure everything in our data centers operates as it should.

What we can offer you

Our rapidly evolving business sector offers the opportunity to be part of a courageous and passionate team who work together to understand and meet the changing needs of our global customers.

Join us and youll be part of a supportive and inclusive environment where you can bring your whole self to work. As part of our team youll get to work with people from different business areas challenge the way we do things and put your ideas into action. Well also give you plenty of development opportunities so you can build a rewarding and successful career with us.

Apply today take charge of your career and grow your talents with us.

Health and Safety

Safety isnt just a priority here at Digital; its critical to everything we do. Safeguarding lives protecting assets and securing data arent just ideals - theyre essential pillars of our commitment to excellence for our people our partners and our customers. We have a culture of care where every member of Team Digital embraces a relentless pursuit of working safely across Digital Realty. Together we are Safely Powering Progress.

Our Compensation Philosophy

Digital Realty offers its employees a highly competitive compensation package excellent benefits and an environment that recognizes and rewards your contributions. Central to our compensation philosophy is rewarding our employees for achieving the values and objectives aligned to the companys overall goals and values.