Data Center Architect: Design & Permitting Lead

LFGroup.ai; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

LFGroup.ai is seeking an Architect to design and integrate data center buildings, balancing electrical, mechanical, fire protection and structural needs. You will lead permitting, collaborate with engineers, and ensure code compliance and timely site approvals.

This role is office-based, with travel to Bay Area sites as needed. Ideal candidates hold a CA- or WA-registered track and extensive experience with data centers, BIM management, and coordination across disciplines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture or architectural engineering.
• 5 or more years of experience designing industrial, data center or other technical buildings.
• Knowledge of the International Building Code and the California and Washington building codes.
• Experience obtaining building permits, including working directly with plan reviewers and fire officials.
• Proficiency in Revit and AutoCAD
• Experience coordinating designs across engineering disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Develop building layouts for data halls, electrical and mechanical rooms, loading docks, offices and security areas.
• Coordinate the architectural design with the structural, mechanical, electrical and fire protection disciplines.
• Make sure designs meet building, fire and life safety, accessibility and energy codes.
• Lead the permitting process for each site, from early code analysis and pre-application meetings with the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) through permit issuance.
• Prepare and submit permit drawings, applications and supporting documents, and track their status with building departments, fire marshals and other reviewing agencies.
• Respond to plan review comments, coordinate resubmittals across disciplines, and manage deferred submittals.
• Coordinate inspections and close-out documentation to secure certificates of occupancy.
• Specify the building envelope and materials.
• Manage outside architects of record and design consultants, and maintain the building information model (BIM).
• Review submittals, respond to RFIs and support construction administration.
• Communicate design decisions and permitting risks to internal stakeholders and project teams.

Skills

Architectural design

Cross-disciplinary coordination

Code compliance

Permitting

Project scheduling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in architecture or architectural engineering

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Job description

LFGroup.ai is seeking an Architect to design and integrate data center buildings, balancing electrical, mechanical, fire protection and structural needs. You will lead permitting, collaborate with engineers, and ensure code compliance and timely site approvals.

This role is office-based, with travel to Bay Area sites as needed. Ideal candidates hold a CA- or WA-registered track and extensive experience with data centers, BIM management, and coordination across disciplines.