Data Center Project Associate

Align Communications; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 54,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid training

Hybrid work

Job summary

Align Communications is seeking a Data Center Project Associate to join our Data Center Solutions team. This role focuses on supporting data center white space fit-outs, coordinating with senior project managers, and contributing to the design, procurement, and build of critical facilities.

The successful candidate will have a background in construction management or engineering, strong MS Office skills, and a willingness to learn and grow in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree related to Construction Management, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Management, or Project Management preferred.
• 1–4 years of relevant experience preferred; internships in MEP, data center, or construction management welcomed.

Responsibilities

• Support senior project managers with on-site data center design, installation and operational issues.
• Travel as needed to support projects across the Western Region.
• Coordinate site surveys, needs assessments, documentation, scheduling, and QA on projects.
• Assist with client billing, budgeting updates, and project documentation.

Skills

Excel

PowerPoint

MS Project

Visio

Procore

Bluebeam

Communication

Organization

Writing

Travel readiness

Education

Degree in CM/Engineering/Management

Tools

Bluebeam

Procore

MS Project

Excel

Job description

Is technology your passion? Do you want to work with smart, forward-thinking individuals? Do you want to grow in a career you love?

At Align, our professionals are the key to our success. We don’t just hire talent, we invest in exceptional people who are forward-thinking, results-driven, and passionate about what they do. We’re a group of tech-savvy professionals who are motivated by making an impact. Our culture is one of unbounded opportunity that celebrates the passions, skills and ideas of our team—work hard, play hard, be smart!

We believe great communities lead to great companies. That’s why we offer a dynamic workplace where you feel inspired, engaged and innovative. We offer professionals opportunities to train in the leading technologies, make an impact within the industry and acquire valuable new skills whether on client sites or in one of our regional offices.

Position Overview

A lign is seeking a candidate with 1 to 4 years of relevant experience to join our growing Data Center Design, Procure and Build organization. This role is well suited for a data center technician looking to grow into project management or a recent graduate with a degree in Engineering, MEP, Construction Management, or a related field who is interested in starting a career in the Data Center / Critical Facilities industry. Ideal candidates will have experience in data center operations, MEP / critical facilities, construction management, or a related technical environment.

Align’s Data Center Solutions team provides advisory and specialized construction management services for data center white space fit-outs. We design, procure, and build the physical layer of the data center, including HVAC, power distribution, structured low-voltage cabling, and space planning. The Associate will support the build-out of large-scale data center facilities while reporting to a Senior Project Manager, assisting with trade coordination, equipment installation, project planning, and documentation.

This role requires a disciplined, detail-oriented individual with an interest in construction management and data center white space infrastructure. The ideal candidate will bring a mix of technical aptitude, critical thinking, data analysis skills, and strong communication and writing abilities, along with the organization needed to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

This is a unique opportunity for someone early in their career to work alongside and be mentored by recognized leaders in the Data Center Facilities industry. The Associate will gain hands‑on exposure to the analysis, design, and construction of enterprise data centers, with training provided to support continued career growth.

• The Data Center Project Associate is a hybrid role, based in the Phoenix Metro Area and will frequently work on local projects, however, up to 30 percent out of state travel should be expected at times
• This is a full‑time position offering full benefits, a competitive salary, and paid training

Key Responsibilities

• Support senior project managers to provide on‑site consulting support for Align clients with data center design, installation and operational issues
• Travel as needed to support projects across the Western Region
• Participate in various data center white space fit out / critical facilitates project management activities including site surveys, needs assessments, preparation of documentation, scheduling vendor installations, data analysis, subcontractor quality assurance / as built verification and coordination of various project deliverables
• Participate in on‑site data center review and evaluation projects
• Contribute to the RFP process, project planning, current‑state vs. target‑state assessments and client presentations
• Work with and learn from senior project managers to assist with the design and installation of electrical power distribution systems and the low voltage cabling systems in data center build outs
• Develop data center white space blueprints for power distribution, cabinet spatial layouts, and hot and cold‑aisle containment solutions
• Create visuals of data center cabinet elevations, network diagrams and floor‑plans using graphics programs, such as Excel and Bluebeam
• Initiate and manage the subcontractor bidding processes while creating scope of works and billings of materials for various projects
• Assist with client billing, forecasting, and the administration of projects including making updates to budget and project plans, creating project documentation, etc.
• Install equipment within data center and co‑location facilities
• Assist with trouble shooting technical issues that arise during data center installation and build‑out
• Become knowledgeable of company standards and procedures
• Learn the Align software toolset such as Bluebeam, Procore, Excel, MS Project, ConnectWise
• Align professionals are expected to continually enhance their professional and business skills and are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities provided on the job and through participation in training programs both internally and externally.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree related to Construction Management, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Management, or Project Management is preferred
• 1 to 4 years of relevant experience preferred; recent graduates with relevant MEP, data center, construction management coursework and/or internship experience will also be considered
• Open to candidates with hands‑on data center technician experience, project coordination experience, commissioning exposure, or related field experience who are looking to grow into a data center white space / tenant fit‑out Project Manager role
• Interest in developing the MEP technical knowledge, construction coordination skills, and client‑facing project management experience needed to become a well‑rounded data center white space fit out Project Manager
• Advanced Microsoft Office Suite skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Visio
• Bluebeam and Procore experience are a plus
• Must be eager to learn
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, organizational and writing skills are required
• Excellent analytical and facilitation skills, with proven ability to manage multiple projects, resolve and escal
• Ability to maintain focus, shift attention quickly to respond to the unexpected while progressing on tasks/projects
• Able to travel as needed
• Must be willing to assist with physical layer troubleshooting, hands‑on installation of data center equipment, and possess the ability to lift up to 50 lbs. as needed
• Must be comfortable working onsite in a data center construction environment

To support a fair, consistent, and high‑quality hiring experience, some interviews may be recorded. These recordings help our team focus fully on the conversation at hand, rather than note‑taking, and allow us to better evaluate and improve our recruitment process. Recordings are used solely for internal purposes such as training, quality assurance, and process improvement. Candidates will be informed in advance and asked to provide consent before any recording takes place.

Benefits and Perks:

At Align, we believe that supporting our employees both personally and professionally is key to our success. We offer a competitive benefits package designed to promote health, wellness, financial security, and work‑life balance, including:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
  • 401(k) plan with a dollar-for-dollar company match at 3% up to an annual maximum of $5k.
• Complimentary ClassPass membership to support your health and wellness goals
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Company‑paid holidays
• Cellphone Reimbursement Program
• Floating Holiday to celebrate a day that is meaningful to you
• Pre‑tax commuter benefits, where applicable
• Employee wellness programs, events, and team‑building activities
• Employee referral program

Align is a premier global provider of technology infrastructure solutions.

Align specializes in designing and deploying technology infrastructure solutions from the data center to the desktop as well as providing managed IT services for clients.

Our professional services team, which includes Data Center Solutions , provide strategic consulting, design, project management, engineering, implementation and support. Our best‑in‑class Managed Services team provides IT services and cybersecurity advisory for clients within the Alternative Investment industry. Align is a Microsoft Tier 1 Cloud Services Provider (CSP) and Gold Partner.

Our client centric approach and passion for driving IT innovation has enabled us to provide tailored solutions and business transformations for over three decades. Leading firms have relied on Align to provide forward‑thinking technology strategies that support their current and future business needs.

Our teams have flawless track records of delivering technical solutions and have established long‑standing relationships with an impressive client list of both Global 1000 and SMB clients. We work across a diverse list of industries including financial services, life sciences (pharmaceutical and health care), retail, technology, media and telecommunications.