Senior Associate Architect - Data Centres

JobSpace; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking an experienced Senior Associate Architect – Data Centre to lead architectural design for major data centre projects in Auckland. You will guide concept through construction, coordinate with engineering disciplines and mentor junior staff.

You will work with senior client stakeholders, ensuring designs meet operational, technical and regulatory requirements across NZ and APAC, contributing to Jacobs' growing Data Centre capability.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated architectural design and delivery experience on data centre projects.
• Knowledge of construction documentation, contract administration and NZ standards.
• Ability to lead design concepts and coordinate with engineers and specialists.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural design and documentation across the project lifecycle.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary design inputs to deliver integrated solutions.
• Mentor junior designers and collaborate with APAC and Jacobs' Global teams.
• Lead and manage design outputs from concept through construction.

Skills

Data Centre design

Architectural leadership

Revit proficiency

Rhino

Coordination across disciplines

NZ building codes knowledge

Client stakeholder management

Education

Architectural qualification

Registered Architect

Tools

Revit

Rhino

BIM coordination workflows

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.

Senior Associate Architect – Data Centre

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 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.

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, 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.

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.

Cultural Support:

Māori and Pasifika peoples are strongly encouraged to apply. Jacobs aims to provide cultural safety at our interviews. Māori and Pasifika people are invited to nominate a Whanau, family or 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.