Architect Design Project Manager

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.

• 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…