Senior Associate Architect – Data Centre

Jacobs; City of Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs in Melbourne seeks a Senior Associate Architect – Data Centre to lead architectural design for major data centre projects. You will guide early master planning, concept through construction, coordinating with engineering and specialist teams across Australia and APAC.

You’ll translate complex operational requirements into high‑quality architectural outcomes while mentoring teams and engaging with senior client stakeholders to ensure delivery within programme, budget and quality

Qualifications

• Demonstrated architectural design and delivery experience on Data Centre projects.
• Registration as an Architect and recognised architectural qualification.
• 15+ years of relevant local architectural experience in Australia is required.
• Strong leadership and design management capabilities from concept through delivery.
• Knowledge of Australian building codes and data centre standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural design and coordination across the project lifecycle.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary inputs to deliver robust, integrated solutions.
• Provide design leadership to Australia, APAC and Jacobs' Global Integrated Delivery network.
• Work with senior client stakeholders to document project requirements.
• Mentor junior and mid-level architects and supervise design teams.

Skills

Leadership

Client management

Communication

Mentoring

Project management

Team collaboration

Education

Architectural qualification and registration

Tools

Revit

Rhino

BIM coordination

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

With continued growth in the Data Centre sector, we're looking for an experienced Senior Associate Architect – Data Centre to join our Melbourne team and take a key architectural leadership role in the design and delivery of major data centre projects.

Working as part of our APAC Data Centre team, you'll have the opportunity to lead significant architectural design work in Australia while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams locally and internationally. Beyond individual project delivery, you'll help strengthen Jacobs' Data Centre architectural capability in Australia and support our ambition to lead more complex, multidisciplinary Data Centre design opportunities.

As an Senior Associate Architect – Data Centre, you'll lead architectural design and coordination across significant data centre work, from early master planning and concept development through detailed design, procurement and construction.

You’ll be responsible for leading design concepts, documentation, specifications and reports, while coordinating architectural requirements with engineering and specialist disciplines to deliver integrated solutions.

Working with senior client stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams, you’ll help translate complex operational and technical requirements into high-quality architectural outcomes suited to mission-critical environments.

You’ll also

• Lead architectural design and documentation across the project lifecycle, from concept and schematic design through detailed design and construction.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary design inputs to deliver integrated and technically robust solutions.
• Lead and support architectural and interdisciplinary teams across Australia, APAC and Jacobs' Global Integrated Delivery network.
• Work directly with senior client stakeholders to understand and document project and programmatic requirements.
• Provide design leadership while balancing project requirements across quality, programme, cost and scope.
• Review technical submissions, respond to contractor RFIs and undertake site visits where required.
• Mentor junior and mid-level architects and contribute to knowledge sharing across the wider Data Centre team.
• Proficiency in digital tools such including Revit, with experience in Rhino and BIM coordination workflows.
• Contribute to the continued development of Jacobs' Data Centre architectural capability and our ability to deliver increasingly complex projects across the region.

Here’s what you’ll need

Demonstrated architectural design and delivery experience on Data Centre projects is essential for this position. We're looking for someone who understands the particular technical, operational, coordination and documentation demands of Data Centre environments and can bring that experience into a senior design leadership role.

You’ll also bring

• A recognised architectural qualification and registration as an Architect.
• A minimum of 15 years' relevant local architectural experience.
• Strong Data Centre architectural design and project delivery experience.
• Strong design management capability from concept through detailed design and delivery.
• Knowledge of construction documentation, contract administration, materials, Australian building codes, relevant standards, particularly within Data Centre environments.
• Experience working directly with senior client stakeholders to establish and document project requirements.
• Strong multidisciplinary coordination skills and experience working with engineering and specialist consultants.
• Demonstrated experience supervising and directing design professionals.
• Strong client management, communication, and leadership capabilities.
• Sound commercial acumen, including experience managing project programmes and budgets.
• The ability to lead effectively across geographically dispersed and international project teams.

Why Join Us?

• Strong project pipeline and long-term growth opportunities working on industry-leading data centre projects
• Exposure to our high-profile hyperscale and enterprise clients
• Collaborate with our team of leading architects, engineers, and digital infrastructure specialists
• Develop your career in one of the fastest-growing sectors globally of mission-critical, sustainable, and AI-ready facilities

This role offers the opportunity to combine hands-on design leadership with a broader contribution to the future of Jacobs' Data Centre architecture capability. You'll be part of a connected APAC and global team, with the opportunity to share knowledge, mentor others and help us grow our ability to lead the design of complex Data Centre projects.

Jacobs. A world where you can.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs here.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of diverse perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging. Find out more about ourJacobs Employee Networks here.

Our meticulously curated employee benefits support ALL employees throughout every stage of life. From paid parental leave to a lifetime financial allowance for you and your partner to access family forming Fertility & IVF treatment, adoption and surrogacy assistance along with menopause and Low T treatment.

We are steadfast in our commitment to the wellbeing of you and your loved ones with a comprehensive suite of wellbeing resources supporting you physically, emotionally and financially. This is demonstrated in our company being recognised by WGEA for 12 consecutive years as an employer of choice for gender equality along with our industry-leading GOLD employer status by the Australian Workplace Equality Index.

Cultural Support

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply. Jacobs aims to provide cultural safety at our interviews. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are invited to nominate a cultural representative to participate on the interview panel; please let your recruiter know in your application. No matter what drives you, you'll discover a way to cultivate, nurture and achieve your goals – all at a single global company.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.