Senior Architect, Data Center Development

Architect, Data Center Design

Top skills:
Bachelor's degree in Architecture or equivalent discipline. 3+ years of experience on industrial or data center projects within an AEC environment. Proficiency with Bluebeam, Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD, and Autodesk Construction Cloud. Strong working knowledge of building codes, fire and life safety requirements, and data center construction standards.

Location:

Austin, TX with 20-25% travel involved

Duration: 8+ month long contract with potential for extension/conversion

Rate range:
Pay rate:
Market rate but target $90-125/hr

The Architect is a core member of Fluidstack's Data Center Design and Engineering team. You will own the architectural workstream across a multi-site, multi-state development portfolio from early-stage concept through design, permitting, and construction completion. This is an owner/developer role. You will manage external architects and engineers of record, coordinate across civil, structural, and MEP disciplines, and interface with GCs, AHJs, and operations stakeholders.

You will be the subject matter authority on building envelope, life safety, space planning, and code compliance across some of the largest data center campuses in development.

• Building Design & Standards
• Develop and maintain the architectural basis of design, prototype drawing packages, master specifications, and reference designs for Fluidstack's campus portfolio.
• Lead masterplan and campus layout development: building positioning, setbacks, service access, security zoning, and phasing logic across multi-building sites.
• Own building envelope design - cladding systems, roofing assemblies, curtain wall, louvers, and penetration detailing - in compliance with FM Global requirements.
• Develop space planning, adjacency standards, door and hardware schedules, access control zoning, and security tier separations, aligned to operational SLA requirements.
• Integrate architectural scope with structural, MEP, fire protection, and civil teams.
• Design Management
• Manage external architects and engineers of record from schematic through IFC - review deliverables, enforce standards, and track design quality and schedule across multiple concurrent projects.
• Author and negotiate AOR scope of work, design contracts, and owner design standards.
• Facilitate RFI and submittal review during construction; maintain design intent through field conditions and contractor-driven changes.
• Permitting & Code Compliance
• Lead permitting strategy across jurisdictions: building permits, zoning/entitlement, variances, and AHJ coordination.
• Ensure designs comply with IBC, IFC, NFPA 75, NFPA 76, NFPA 855, applicable state codes, and ADA requirements.
• Coordinate fire-rated construction, egress, and life safety design with fire protection engineers and local authorities.
• Construction Administration
• Review contractor submittals, RFIs, mock-ups, and material samples; conduct site visits at critical quality milestones.
• Manage architectural change order scope and participate in commissioning reviews for envelope, door hardware, access control, and fire/smoke separation systems.
• Coordinate closeout, punchlist, and as-built documentation; capture lessons learned and integrate them into reference designs and master specifications.

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelors Architecture or Masters in Architecture from an accredited program. 7+ years of architectural experience, including 3+ years in data center or mission critical facility design. Licensed Architect, or active pursuit with expected licensure within 12 months. Experience managing external architects and consultants as an owner's representative or developer. Working knowledge of IBC, IFC, occupancy classifications, egress, and fire-rated assembly design.

Proficient in Revit, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, and Procore. Willingness to travel to project sites across the US (~25%).

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in hyperscale data center or large-scale industrial development. Familiarity with FM Global envelope and roofing requirements and submittal process. Working knowledge of industrial cladding and roofing systems: attachment details, thermal movement, joint continuity, and air/vapor barrier integration. Experience authoring owner-side design standards, prototype specifications, or basis of design documents. LEED AP or demonstrated experience with sustainable envelope and energy compliance strategies.

Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate or annual salary only, unless otherwise stated. In addition to base compensation, full-time roles are eligible for Medical, Dental, Vision, Commuter and 401K benefits with company matching.