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Senior Principal, Data Center Engineering

Alexandria, Virginia, United States; Austin, Texas, United States; Denver, Colorado, United States; Remote US; Seattle, Washington, United States

 

 Overview: 

Fleet Data Centers designs, builds and operates mega-scale data center campuses. Fleet provides its customers flexibility and predictability to meet their upside demand forecasts, addressing a key need in the market as traditional leased models are struggling to keep pace with the demand for new Cloud and AI infrastructure. Fleet is led by a team of industry veterans that have already made a lasting imprint on the evolution of global digital infrastructure and are committed and uniquely capable of upleveling data center development scale and operations in the face of rising demand. Fleet is well positioned to bring in-house design, engineering and operational capabilities to collaborate with customers on tailored solutions for campuses of 500MW+. This unique model enables Fleet to provide the world’s largest and most sophisticated customers a seamless extension of their own data center fleets with constant access to design innovation. Fleet is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with satellite offices in Seattle, WA and Arlington, VA.

Position Overview:

Senior Principal Data Center Design Engineer will serve as the technical authority and chief designer behind the development, implementation, and scaling of Fleet’s next-generation mega-scale data center campuses. In this individual contributor/technical leadership role, you will lead cross-functional engineering teams to establish the standard configurations, baseline architecture, and system integration strategies that support massive cloud and AI operations globally.  

The ideal candidate is an industry-recognized technical expert across architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering disciplines. You have a comprehensive understanding of hyperscale operations, cutting-edge sustainability initiatives, and international code compliance. Acting as a bridge between high-level business strategy and technical execution, you will champion technological innovations to deliver unprecedented facility scale, density, and resilience. 

Key Responsibilities:

  • Technical Strategy & Standards: Architect the master vision for global data center designs; author, refine, and enforce global engineering standards and design guidelines to ensure consistency across multiple sites.  
  • Campus & Master Planning: Create and review complex site campus masterplans, spatial building configurations, and high-density critical infrastructure layouts.  
  • Engineering Leadership: Act as the technical cornerstone and lead cross-functional design workgroups encompassing electrical, mechanical, structural, controls, and networking teams to integrate all physical data center components seamlessly.  
  • Technical Due Diligence: Own the engineering due diligence process for new site selection, assessing power/water availability, environmental constraints, and local code variations to adjust standard designs accordingly.  
  • Vendor Qualification: Collaborate with strategic vendors, manufacturers, and outsourced design consultants to review equipment submittals, validate complex engineering systems, and ensure strict compliance with company specifications.  
  • Stakeholder & Client Advisory: Serve as the chief technical point of contact for complex engineering decisions, presenting technical strategies clearly to senior leadership, local authorities (AHJs), and hyperscale clients.  

Required Qualifications: 

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Architecture, or a related technical field (master’s or Ph.D. highly preferred).  
  • Experience: 10+ years of progressive engineering experience, with at least 8 years strictly focused on hyperscale data center architecture, physical design, and engineering integration.  
  • Proven Track Record: Demonstrated success leading the engineering and design execution of multiple large-scale, multi-site global data center projects.  
  • Communication & Synthesis: Stellar communication skills, with a proven ability to synthesize deeply complex engineering concepts into clear, actionable, and data-backed design blueprints for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.  

Preferred Qualifications 

  • License: Professional Engineer (PE) or Professional Architectural license.  
  • Hyperscale Depth: Deep familiarity with the infrastructure requirements, operational constraints, and design philosophies of major cloud providers (e.g., AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle Cloud, Meta).  
  • Global Compliance: Experience delivering projects in diverse global markets, effectively navigating region-specific environmental conditions, land challenges, and international building codes.  
  • Cloud & Networking Background: Strong technical understanding of foundational cloud services, physical network topologies, and high-density hardware deployment lifecycles.  

Key Competencies: 

  • Integrity and Ethical Standards: Build trust, ensure fairness, and foster long-term, transparent relationships with suppliers. 
  • Effective Communication: The ability to clearly convey expectations and requirements to suppliers and negotiation parties, while understanding their needs and concerns. Comfortable delivering written and verbal presentations to internal leadership teams. 
  • Emotional Intelligence (EQ): Ability to understand the emotions, cultural nuances, and motivations of others, while effectively managing one's own emotions during high-pressure negotiations. 
  • Strategic Thinking: Ability to think big picture while also managing granular details. 
  • Adaptability: Proven track record of managing change and ambiguity in a fast-paced environment. 
  • Leadership: Ability to manage cross-functional teams and external vendors. 
  • Experience with complex, multi-site projects:   Manage multiple projects under tight deadlines and deliver exceptional results. 
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills: Capable of interfacing with senior leadership and diverse stakeholders. 
  • Creative problem-solver: Ability to troubleshoot and optimize system performance effectively. 

Working Conditions: 

  • This role requires occasional travel to data center sites across multiple regions (up to 25% travel). 
  • Ability to work in both office environments and active construction sites, adhering to all safety protocols. 

Expected Salary Range: $175,000 - $215,000 + Discretionary bonus

Fleet Data Centers Employment

Fleet Data Centers employees enjoy competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including 100% employer-covered medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401K program, standard paid holidays, and unlimited PTO. 

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

Fleet Data Centers is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment regardless of age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status. If you need assistance applying for any of our open positions, please contact us at info@fleetdatacenters.com.

 

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