Position OverviewThis role can be based in Denver, CO following our flexible work policy (3 days in-office, 2 days flexible). Or US remote. Vantage is seeking a Principal Structural Engineer to lead structural design for mission-critical data center facilities, with a strong emphasis on prefabricated and modular construction methods.
This is a Principal-level technical leadership role for an experienced engineer who can set structural strategy, establish design standards, and guide complex structural decisions from concept through construction. The role will balance speed-to-market and constructability with the rigorous safety, reliability, and performance requirements of data center infrastructure.
The Principal Structural Engineer will serve as the technical authority for structural design across foundations, steel and concrete framing, floor systems, equipment support structures, and modular deployments supporting data center builds, expansions, and retrofit programs.
This position is remote within the United States, with travel required for site visits, construction observations, and visits to fabrication facilities.
Essential Job Functions- Provide Principal-level technical expertise for the structural design of foundations, structural framing, and floor systems supporting data center builds, expansions, retrofits, and modular deployments.
- Establish structural requirements, reference design approaches, technical standards, and design guardrails that can be applied across data center platforms and multiple jurisdictions.
- Design structural systems optimized for prefabricated and modular construction, including modular skids, precast components, factory-built PODs, and off-site assembled MEP yards.
- Incorporate requirements for off-site manufacturing, transportation, lifting, rigging, installation, tolerances, and interfaces between factory-built modules and site-built infrastructure.
- Review and perform load analyses for raised floors, equipment racks, generators, cooling infrastructure, and rooftop or ground-mounted mechanical equipment.
- Set technical direction for seismic, wind, and building-code compliance strategies across multiple jurisdictions.
- Coordinate with architectural, civil, MEP, manufacturing, and fabrication partners to integrate structural designs into prefabricated delivery workflows.
- Lead structural design reviews, shop drawing reviews, constructability assessments, and the resolution of complex structural interface issues.
- Review fabricator calculations, shop drawings, and submittals, resolving tolerance and interface challenges between prefabricated modules and site-built structures.
- Lead constructability and value-engineering reviews focused on modular sequencing, transportation logistics, installation constraints, safety, reliability, and speed-to-market.
- Evaluate existing facilities and develop practical structural solutions for upgrades supporting increased power and cooling density.
- Partner with Product Engineering, construction, manufacturing, and regional delivery teams to improve cross-functional alignment and technical execution.
- Mentor engineers, elevate structural design quality, and establish disciplined review practices for calculations, design packages, and technical decisions.
- Conduct site visits, construction observations, and visits to fabrication and off-site manufacturing facilities.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Professional Engineer license required.
- 10 or more years of structural engineering experience.
- At least four years of structural engineering experience supporting data centers or other mission-critical facilities.
- Hands-on experience designing structural systems for modular or prefabricated construction.
- Demonstrated experience designing foundations, steel and concrete framing, floor systems, and equipment support structures.
- Experience with foundations supporting heavy equipment with varying vibration, movement, and operational requirements.
- Experience managing structural requirements associated with the transportation, lifting, and rigging of prefabricated modules.
- Deep working knowledge of ASCE 7, ACI 318, AISC, IBC, and other applicable structural design standards and building codes.
- Proficiency with structural analysis and design software such as ETABS, SAP2000, RISA, or RAM.
- Strong knowledge of seismic and wind design requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
- Experience reviewing structural calculations, design packages, fabricator shop drawings, technical submittals, and construction documentation.
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical decisions and influence cross-functional teams without direct reporting authority.
- Strong written and verbal communication, technical problem-solving, collaboration, and stakeholder-management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, priorities, and technical workstreams in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to travel for construction observations, site visits, and visits to fabrication facilities.
Preferred Qualifications- Master's degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Structural Engineer license, particularly for work within high-seismic markets.
- Direct experience partnering with modular fabricators or off-site manufacturing facilities.
- Experience leading structural design across multiple concurrent hyperscale or colocation data center projects.
- Revit and BIM coordination experience, including clash detection across prefabricated and site-built interfaces.
- Experience coordinating structural systems that support physical security, equipment movement, move-in and move-out requirements, prefabrication, and other trades.
- Experience developing repeatable structural standards and reference designs for use across multiple projects or global platforms.
- Experience supporting retrofit projects and infrastructure upgrades within operating mission-critical facilities.
Physical Demands and Special RequirementsThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop or kneel; talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Additional Details- Salary Range: $170,000- $175,000 Base + Bonus (this range is based on Colorado market data and may vary in other locations)
- This position is eligible for company benefits including but not limited to medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and AD&D, short and long-term disability coverage, paid time off, employee assistance, participation in a 401k program that includes company match, and many other additional voluntary benefits.
- Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including your qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience and may fall outside of the range shown.
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