Principal Architect- Data Center Engineering

SB Energy is seeking a Principal Architect to provide senior technical leadership for architectural planning, design development, review, and standardization across large-scale, mission-critical data center campuses. The role translates business and end-user requirements into coordinated designs and drives 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

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