Senior Associate Architect - Data Centres

Jacobs; Auckland; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs in Auckland seeks a Senior Associate Architect – Data Centre to lead architectural design and coordination for major data centre projects. You will drive design concepts, documentation, and reports, coordinating with engineering and specialist disciplines to deliver robust, mission-critical solutions.

You will mentor teams, translate complex requirements into high-quality outcomes, and work with senior stakeholders to align project scope with programme, cost and quality expectations.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated architectural design and delivery experience on Data Centre projects essential.
• Experience leading design concepts and coordinating multidisciplinary inputs.
• Strong client and stakeholder management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural design across the project lifecycle from concept to construction.
• Coordinate inputs from engineering and specialist disciplines to deliver integrated solutions.
• Mentor junior and mid-level architects and lead design teams across NZ, APAC and Jacobs networks.
• Collaborate with senior client stakeholders to document project requirements and program.

Skills

Leadership

Design management

Client management

Coordination

Communication

Education

Architectural qualification and registration

Tools

Revit

Rhino

BIM coordination

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

With continued growth in the Data Centre sector, we're looking for an experienced Senior Associate Architect – Data Centre to join our Auckland 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 New Zealand while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams locally and internationally. Beyond individual project delivery, you'll help strengthen Jacobs' Data Centre architectural capability in New Zealand 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 New Zealand, 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.

• 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, New Zealand 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.