Senior Architect - Data Centers

Overview

As a Senior Architect at SSOE, you will be a pivotal leader in shaping the architectural landscape of mission-critical data center facilities, directly impacting the reliability, security, and scalability of the world’s digital infrastructure. Your deep understanding of building codes will be crucial in ensuring the safety, functionality, resilience, and regulatory compliance of our innovative designs. You will thrive in a collaborative, design-build environment where your technical expertise, systems integration skills, and problem-solving abilities will be highly valued. This role offers the unique opportunity to work on a variety of technically demanding projects, lead internal project teams, mentor developing architects, and directly contribute to the success of our hyperscale and colocation clients and the growth of our firm in this rapidly evolving sector.

AI and Innovation

At SSOE, we don’t just talk about the future, we build it. As a leader in industry AI adoption, we empower our team to work smarter by providing responsible access to the industry leading AI Large Language Models, vibe-coding platforms, and securely integrating advanced tools into every role. From day one, you’ll receive the training and support needed to leverage AI as a core tool for enhancing productivity, sparking creativity, and streamlining complex workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead and drive the architectural design and planning process for a portfolio of complex, data center projects, including hyperscale cloud campuses, colocation facilities, build-to-suit enterprise data centers, and edge computing deployments; from conceptual design and master planning through construction documentation and construction administration within an integrated design-build delivery framework.
• Provide technical leadership and day-to-day oversight to internal architectural project teams, ensuring the production of coordinated, high-quality construction documents that meet stringent client performance specifications, operational requirements, industry standards, and speed-to-market objectives.
• Guide the seamless integration of architectural design with structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, security, and network/low-voltage systems, collaborating closely with all engineering disciplines to ensure holistic coordination, constructability, and operational performance.
• Interpret and apply the relevant codes for all project phases, including in-depth interpretation and application of the International Building Code (IBC), International Existing Building Code (IEBC), International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), International Fire Code (IFC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), local amendments, NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, NFPA 75 (Protection of Information Technology Equipment), NFPA 76 (Fire Protection of Telecommunications Facilities), and the full suite of accessibility codes and standards (ADA, ABA, local accessibility requirements).
• Apply knowledge of occupancy classifications (F-1, S-1, B, H occupancies related to standby power and fuel storage), building height and area allowances including unlimited area provisions, fire area strategies, fire protection systems including very early smoke detection apparatus and gaseous suppression, egress strategies, fire-resistive construction, and comprehensive accessibility (ADA/ABA) specific to data center environments.
• Interpret building code intent in ambiguous or specialized scenarios, such as generator yard enclosures, fuel storage and distribution, battery energy storage systems (BESS), high-density data halls, secure loading and receiving, and mission-critical operations centers, and provide authoritative guidance to internal teams, clients, and authorities having jurisdiction.
• Lead peer reviews, quality assurance/quality control checks, and constructability reviews, with a particular focus on code, building envelope performance, vapor and moisture control, security detailing, and long-term durability in mission-critical environments.
• Collaborate intensively with engineering, project management, and preconstruction teams in a design-build environment, contributing to early-phase planning, site selection support, design optimization, value engineering, target value delivery, and aggressive schedule alignment.
• Develop and present design concepts, technical strategies, and compliance approaches to clients, municipal planning commissions, community stakeholders, and regulatory review agencies; actively participate in client pursuit interviews and proposal development.
• Mentor junior architects and technical staff within internal project teams, fostering growth in code literacy, technical detailing, mission-critical design principles, and understanding of data center typologies and client-specific standards.
• Stay current with evolving codes, regulations, sustainability certifications (LEED, Green Globes, emerging embodied carbon standards), and emerging trends in data center design including liquid cooling, modular construction, alternative energy integration, and edge deployment strategies; apply this knowledge to project delivery and firm standards as appropriate, pursuing related credentials when aligned with project needs.
• Conduct periodic field observations and site visits to assess existing conditions, monitor construction progress, verify conformance with design intent, and resolve design and code-related issues in real time; travel requirements are minimal and typically limited to regional project sites.
• Lead the development and maintenance of architectural standards, master specifications, Revit templates, and documentation protocols to improve efficiency, consistency, speed-to-market, and quality across data center projects, incorporating hyperscale and colocation client standards as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture from an accredited program.
• Active Registered Architect (RA) license in good standing within the U.S., with ability to obtain reciprocity as needed (typically limited and not anticipated to be a frequent requirement).
• 10+ years of architectural experience, with a strong and demonstrated focus on data center, mission-critical, or technically complex industrial facilities, including hyperscale and/or colocation projects.
• Proven leadership in managing and guiding internal design teams through all project phases, from conceptual master planning and programming through construction administration within a design-build delivery model.
• Deep understanding of building systems, envelope design, structural coordination, and mission-critical MEP systems, with the ability to orchestrate complex technical requirements across all disciplines in close collaboration with engineering teams.
• Expertise in interpreting and applying IBC, IFC, IMC, NFPA 75, NFPA 76, NFPA 101, NFPA 110, and ADA/ABA codes and standards across data center occupancy types.
• Working knowledge of sustainable design principles as they apply to data center environments; familiarity with LEED or Green Globes certification for data centers and understanding of power usage effectiveness and water usage effectiveness metrics.
• Demonstrated experience with the design and detailing of high-performance building envelopes, vapor barriers, security-rated assemblies, and systems integration for technically demanding mission-critical environments.
• Proficiency with Revit and BIM workflows is required; working knowledge of AutoCAD, Navisworks, Bluebeam, and other industry-standard tools is highly desirable.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and client-facing skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex technical and design concepts to diverse audiences including hyperscale clients, colocation operators, consultants, agency reviewers, and community stakeholders.
• A portfolio demonstrating thoughtful, code-compliant, and technically rigorous design solutions for data center or mission-critical facilities.
• Experience participating in activities such as, client interviews, proposal preparation, and relationship cultivation with hyperscale end-users, colocation providers, or data center developers.
• Salary Range: $115,000 - $160,000/year depending on location, education, depth of relevant experience, and any specialized licensure/certifications. Opportunity for ample rewards, leadership incentive components, and generous bonus opportunities.
• Benefits: Includes comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, 401K retirement savings plan (with company matching), opportunities for professional development and training (including support for relevant licensure & certifications), and generous PTO & paid holidays.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Deep familiarity with hyperscale client design standards, typical project delivery structures, and speed-to-market philosophies.
• Experience with master planning of data center campuses, including phased deployment strategies, site utility infrastructure coordination, and building typology standardization.
• Understanding of physical security design principles for data centers, including crash-rated barriers, secure vestibules, access control integration, and CPTED strategies.
• Knowledge of emerging technologies in data center environments, including liquid cooling, immersion cooling, fuel cells, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and modular data hall construction.
• Demonstrated success working within an integrated design-build project delivery environment on large-scale, fast-track projects.
• Experience navigating entitlement and permitting processes for mission-critical facilities across multiple jurisdictions.
• NCARB certification and ability to pursue architectural registration in multiple states.