Basic Function:SB Energy is seeking a Principal Architect to join the Data Center team.
In this role, you will serve as a senior individual contributor and architectural technical lead responsible for planning, design development, technical review, and standardization across large-scale, mission-critical data center campuses. You will establish and improve architectural standards, specifications, design criteria, and delivery practices that support scalable, cost-effective, resilient facilities.
You will work closely with internal project teams, architects and engineers, contractors, and operations partners to translate business and end-user requirements into coordinated designs. You will provide hands-on technical leadership, resolve complex design challenges, and drive consistency from site planning through construction and turnover.
Responsibilities:- Develop and maintain architectural standards, prototype designs, specifications, and design criteria aligned with SB Energy standards and Owner's Project Requirements (OPR).
- Lead architectural programming, campus planning, and building test fits for data halls, administration, operations centers, and support facilities.
- Provide technical direction to external design consultants; define deliverables, lead design reviews, and track resolution of comments and coordination issues across projects.
- Review drawings, specifications, and building systems for compliance with approved requirements, constructability, maintainability, cost, and schedule; document deviations and route them for approval.
- Guide building code, life safety, accessibility, occupancy, and fire separation strategies with architects of record, fire protection engineers, and authorities having jurisdiction.
- Serve as a technical resource for building envelopes, roofing, wall assemblies, waterproofing, interior systems, and architectural interfaces with structural and MEP systems.
- Coordinate with risk and insurance teams to incorporate applicable insurer criteria, property protection measures, and natural hazard requirements into architectural design.
- Integrate equipment layouts, service clearances, replacement paths, security zoning, circulation, loading, and future expansion with engineering, construction, and operations teams.
- Support Development with site feasibility, zoning and entitlement reviews, building placement, access, and architectural constraints in coordination with civil and environmental teams.
- Evaluate materials, vendor proposals, prefabricated systems, and design alternatives; assess impacts on quality, resilience, lifecycle cost, procurement, and delivery schedule.
- Lead architectural value engineering and change assessments while maintaining required performance, OPR compliance, and operational functionality.
- Support consultant selection, scopes of work, deliverable schedules, and performance evaluation; identify design risks and escalate decisions requiring leadership input.
- Provide technical support during permitting, procurement, construction, and turnover, including review of submittals, substitutions, RFIs, field conditions, and deficiencies.
- Improve BIM coordination, review tools, templates, and quality processes; incorporate lessons learned and share technical guidance across project teams.
- Support sustainability through durable materials, efficient space planning, envelope performance, and responsible material selection; perform additional duties supporting project objectives.
Qualifications/Requirements:- Professional degree in Architecture from an accredited institution; active architectural license in at least one U.S. jurisdiction required.
- 15+ years of architectural design and delivery experience, including significant experience with hyperscale data centers or comparable mission-critical facilities.
- Demonstrated experience as a senior technical contributor leading architectural scope and directing consultants on complex, multidisciplinary projects across multiple sites.
- Expertise in architectural programming, campus planning, building envelopes, roofing, construction assemblies, and integration of building systems.
- Strong knowledge of applicable building and fire codes, accessibility requirements, life safety analysis, and permitting processes.
- Ability to interpret and critically review construction documents, specifications, code analyses, product data, and coordinated BIM models.
- Experience translating owner and end-user requirements into repeatable standards and managing design changes through documented review and approval processes.
- Proficiency with Revit, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, and BIM coordination platforms; ability to communicate design intent through clear drawings, markups, and technical narratives.
- Experience coordinating with consultants, contractors, procurement, security, operations, and permitting authorities through design and construction.
- Strong technical judgment, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to influence decisions and balance performance, cost, and schedule.
- Owner-side data center and industrial design experience, familiarity with FM property protection criteria, and experience with modular or prefabricated construction preferred.
Location: Redwood City, CA or Denver, CO or San Diego, CA or Remote
Base Pay : $180,000-$220,000
The pay range mentioned above is a guideline. We tailor each offer based on your unique skills, experience, location, and market benchmarks-while ensuring internal parity across our teams. The compensation range provided reflects base pay. Total rewards may also include performance-based bonuses, equity grants, and a market leading comprehensive health and wellness benefits package. Final details will be discussed during the later stages of the hiring process.
Our Health & Wellness Benefits:At SB Energy, we invest in our people and their families with benefits designed for flexibility, support, and peace of mind. Full-time employees enjoy:
- 100% Company-Paid Medical, Dental & Vision (for employees and dependents)
- 401(k) with Company Match
- Generous Paid Time Off + 11 Paid Holidays
- 12 Weeks Parental Leave
- Life, AD&D & Long-Term Disability Coverage
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Medical, Dependent Care, Transit & Parking (with company contributions)
- Mental, Physical & Social Wellness Support (with company contributions)
- Flexible Work Arrangements & Hybrid Office Setup Benefits
- Monthly Reimbursement for Phone, Internet & Data
- Optional Legal & Pet Insurance Plans
- Device Purchase Support
