Director, Data Center CSA Engineering

Careers at Keel  

Keel Infrastructure is a publicly traded energy and digital infrastructure company that develops and owns data centers and power assets across North America. 

At Keel, you’re not just joining a company, you’re helping build the infrastructure behind the future of compute. 

 

Why Keel 

We’re at the intersection of energy and technology, two industries transforming in real time. 

The work is complex. The pace is fast. The impact is real. 

You’ll be part of a team that values: 

• Ownership — we take responsibility and follow through 

• Collaboration — we work across teams, functions, and borders 

• Curiosity — we ask questions and keep learning 

• Endurance — we build for the long term 

 

What It Feels Like to Work Here 

• Fast-moving, high-growth, and hands-on 

• Smart, driven people solving real challenges together 

• Work that directly supports AI and next-generation infrastructure 

• Room to grow, stretch, and take on more 

 

What We Offer 

• Competitive salary, bonus and equity opportunities 

• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits 

• Retirement savings with company contribution 

• Employee referral program 

 

Interested? This is a great opportunity to work for a young and dynamic company!

We are currently looking for a Director, Data Center CSA Engineering to join our team!

Purpose of the Role

The Director of Civil, Structural & Architectural (CSA) Engineering is a senior leadership role responsible for establishing and owning the company's design standards across civil, structural, and architectural disciplines for all data center development. This individual serves as the internal technical authority on site development, building structure, envelope design, and architectural programming — ensuring that every facility is developed on schedule, within budget, and to the highest standards of constructability, durability, and operational functionality.

The Director of CSA partners closely with mechanical and electrical engineering, development, construction management, and operations teams to drive coordinated design decisions from site selection through certificate of occupancy, and sets the frameworks that govern how our portfolio is planned, designed, and delivered at scale.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering Leadership & Standards

• Develop and own the company's CSA design standards, basis-of-design documentation, and technical specifications governing civil, structural, and architectural scope across all new development.
• Establish criteria for site grading and drainage, foundation systems, structural framing, building envelope, roofing, and architectural finish standards appropriate for mission-critical facilities.
• Define prototype building programs and standard floor plan configurations that optimize construction efficiency, operational flexibility, and future scalability.
• Lead evaluation and standardization of structural systems (steel, precast, tilt-up, hybrid) and envelope assemblies to drive repeatable, cost-effective delivery.
• Define KPIs and portfolio analytics for executive leadership and the Board.
• Ensure alignment between construction, finance, engineering, procurement, and operations functions.

 

Project Execution

• Provide CSA engineering leadership across all project phases — from site feasibility, conceptual planning, and schematic design through design development, construction documents, permitting, and construction administration.
• Review and approve civil, structural, and architectural design packages from external engineers of record (EORs) and architects of record (AORs), ensuring compliance with company standards, building codes, and jurisdictional requirements.
• Manage geotechnical investigation scopes and translate soils reports into foundation and civil design criteria.
• Lead value engineering for CSA scopes, balancing first cost, lifecycle durability, schedule, and constructability.
• Support RFP development, bid evaluation, and contractor/vendor selection for civil, structural, and architectural scopes.

 

Site Development & Entitlements Support

• Partner with the development and entitlements teams to assess site suitability from a civil and structural standpoint — including grading constraints, floodplain exposure, seismic zone classification, utility corridors, and stormwater management requirements.
• Guide due diligence efforts for land acquisition, including review of ALTA surveys, geotechnical reports, environmental Phase I/II studies, and zoning and permitting risk assessments.
• Coordinate with civil engineers and landscape architects on master site planning, yard layout, security perimeter design, and infrastructure routing.

 

Team & Stakeholder Management

• Build, mentor, and lead an internal CSA engineering team as the company's development pipeline grows.
• Manage relationships with external architects, civil and structural engineers of record, geotechnical consultants, and specialty subcontractors.
• Collaborate with construction management to resolve RFIs, review submittals, and maintain design intent through construction.
• Present CSA design strategies, prototype concepts, and capital investment recommendations to executive leadership and investment committees.

 

Innovation & Technology Roadmap

• Identify opportunities to reduce cost and schedule through design standardization, prefabrication, and modular construction approaches.
• Benchmark company building designs against industry peers and best practices; incorporate lessons learned across the portfolio.
• Evaluate emerging structural systems, envelope technologies, and sustainable design strategies (LEED, green roofs, rainwater harvesting) where applicable.
• Maintain awareness of evolving building codes, seismic design standards, energy codes, and zoning requirements across key development markets.

Requirements

Experience & Background

• 12+ years of progressive experience in civil, structural, or architectural engineering, with a minimum of 5 years focused on data center, industrial, or large-scale mission-critical facility development. 
• Demonstrated experience leading mechanical design on hyperscale, colocation, or enterprise data center projects (50MW+ preferred).
• Experience as a technical owner or discipline lead, not just a contributor, on large capital projects. 
• Prior experience managing or mentoring engineering staff and external consultants. 
• Familiarity with development in multiple geographies, including jurisdictions with complex entitlement, seismic, or environmental requirements.

 

Technical Knowledge

• Deep knowledge of civil site design including grading, stormwater management, utility infrastructure, and site logistics planning for large industrial or data center campuses.
• Strong understanding of structural systems common to data center construction: steel moment frames, braced frames, precast concrete, tilt-up concrete, and hybrid systems.
• Proficiency in building envelope design including metal panel systems, insulated precast, roofing assemblies, and blast/ballistic considerations where required.
• Working knowledge of IBC, ACI, AISC, ASCE 7, and applicable local building codes; experience with seismic design categories C through F preferred.
• Familiarity with NFPA 70/75/76 as it relates to structural and architectural design interface with fire protection and electrical systems.
• Experience reading and coordinating across full design sets including MEP, fire protection, and low-voltage systems.

Leadership & Competencies

• Ability to synthesize civil, structural, and architectural considerations into cohesive design recommendations for executive and non-technical audiences.
• Strong project management instincts with the ability to track deliverables across multiple projects and design consultants simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; experience authoring design standards, basis-of-design documents, and technical specifications.
• Collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset with experience working in fast-paced, deadline-driven development environments.

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or Architecture required.
• Professional Engineer (PE) in Civil or Structural, or Registered Architect (RA) license preferred.
• Professional certifications (CDCDP, PMP, ATD, LEED AP, DCEP, or similar) are a significant asset.

Key Success Metrics

Performance in this role will be evaluated against the following outcomes:

 

• Standards Development — Publish company-wide CSA design standards. 
• Design Schedule Adherance — CSA design packages issued on schedule, measured against approved project milestones. 
• Quality outcomes — Facility delivered to Keel’s design specifications and critical infrastructure standards, with complete documentation and as-builts at handover.
• Stakeholder confidence — Clear, consistent, and accurate reporting to the VP of Engineering and senior leadership; strong working relationships with the owner’s rep, GC, engineering partners, and municipal stakeholders.
• Risk management — Proactive identification and mitigation of project risks ahead of critical path impact.

Compensation & Benefits 

This is a Director-level position offering competitive compensation commensurate with experience.  The indicated range is only in reference to the base salary component of our compensation package.

A few more relevant details:

Our office is downtown in NYC. 

Our typical work schedule is Monday-Thursday in office, Friday working remotely