Data Center Architect

CBRE Group, Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

CBRE Group, Inc. is seeking a highly motivated Data Center Architect in the United States. In this role, you will act as the key Subject Matter Expert for mission-critical data center building systems. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to guide building designs and enforce Owner standards.

The ideal candidate will have 7+ years of experience in architectural design, a Bachelor's degree in Architecture, and strong knowledge of complex building systems.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in architectural design focused on large-scale facilities.
• Strong understanding of high-performance building envelopes and life safety systems.
• Proven experience as an Owner’s Rep in architectural consulting.

Responsibilities

• Serve as architectural SME and technical advisor in project lifecycle.
• Audit design consultant deliverables and provide peer-review comments.
• Author technical project documentation including Scopes of Work and design guidelines.

Skills

Architectural design

Cross-functional collaboration

BIM / Revit workflows

Understanding of complex building systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture

Job description

About the Role:

We are seeking a highly motivated Data Center Architect with proven experience in data center building planning and design.

In this role, you will act as the key Subject Matter Expert (SME) for mission‑critical data center building systems. You will collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams to guide building designs, enforce Owner standards, and address construction issues and substitutions. A strong understanding

What You’ll Do:

• Owner’s Representative: Serve as the Owner’s architectural SME and technical advisor through all phases of the project lifecycle.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Partner with internal stakeholder groups, design consultants, construction management firms, and general contractors to administer design documents and enforce Owner standards.
• Design Oversight: Provide technical guidance and rigorous reviews of architectural work packages, specifically focusing on life safety/egress, ADA compliance, signage, site layout, and core data center building design.
• Standards & Innovation: Author and refine architectural design guidelines, campus planning standards, and prototypical building templates.
• Milestone Reviews: Audit design consultant deliverables at key milestones, providing detailed peer‑review comments on Basis of Design (BOD), 30%, 65%, and 100% documentation.
• You will be responsible for authoring and reviewing a wide range of technical project documentation, including:
• Architectural Scopes of Work (SOW), design guidelines, and standard operating procedures.
• Comprehensive drawing markups, spatial fit‑checks, and concept designs.
• Material substitution reviews and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) architectural inputs.
• Building envelope specifications, submittal approvals, and construction punch‑list resolutions.

What You’ll Need:

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture or a closely related design field.
• 7+ years of experience in architectural design, with a focus on large‑scale industrial, commercial, or mission‑critical facilities.
• Strong understanding of complex building systems, including high‑performance building envelopes, structural coordination, and life safety/fire‑rated assemblies.

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional architectural consulting or design experience as an Owner’s Rep.
• Direct design experience with data center infrastructure, command centers, or massive‑scale utility yards.
• Proven experience managing large‑scale campus master planning, site massing, and complex space‑programming challenges.
• Advanced proficiency with BIM / Revit workflows for cross‑functional model coordination and clash detection.
• Professional architectural registration/licensure (e.g., RA, AIA, or regional equivalent) is highly desirable.