Data Center Project Manager - White Space Fit OutNew

Align; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in technology infrastructure solutions seeks a Data Center Project Manager in Chicago. The role involves overseeing construction projects, managing schedules, and ensuring quality control. Ideal candidates have extensive experience in mission-critical projects and strong communication skills.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits

Paid time off

Paid training

Performance-based bonuses

Qualifications

• 6+ years of related construction management experience required.
• 5+ years managing large, complex mission-critical projects.

Responsibilities

• Oversee project management and construction activities.
• Manage construction documentation, including submittals and RFIs.
• Monitor project progress and manage client expectations.

Skills

Project Management

Communication

Documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management

Job description

Data Center Project Manager - White Space Fit Out

Chicago, IL

Join the Team!

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 motivated by making an impact. Our culture offers unbounded opportunities that celebrate 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 provide opportunities for professionals to train in leading technologies, make an industry impact, and acquire new skills, whether on client sites or in our regional offices.

Position Overview

Align specializes in data center white space services. We are a white space fit-out general contractor managing the entire fit-out process of data centers nationwide. Our services include designing layouts, overhead support systems for cable pathways and electrical systems, power striping/redundancy planning from PDU’s to cabinet receptacles, conduit pathways, and low-voltage structured cable infrastructure. As a Data Center Construction Project Manager, you will oversee the build of electrical and mechanical distribution from critical upstream equipment to compute, storage, and network infrastructures. Your role involves understanding the design intent and customer expectations and ensuring they are realized. You will be onsite daily, interacting with construction trades and subcontractors, managing schedule and quality control in the field.

• This is a full-time salaried position with competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, paid time off, paid training, and performance-based bonuses.
• The position is based in the greater Chicago area, focusing on local projects. Some travel outside the Chicago area may be required (approximately 25%).

Key Job Responsibilities

The Data Center Construction Manager will oversee project management and construction activities related to new builds or capital projects, owning the scope, quality, schedule, and budget. Typical daily tasks include:

• Interfacing directly with general contractors during bidding, award, execution, and closeout phases.
• Monitoring project progress through updated schedules, communicating changes, and managing client expectations, including negotiating extensions when justified.
• Managing construction projects aimed at increasing data center resiliency.
• Resolving scope issues with subcontractors.
• Managing construction documentation, including submittals, RFIs, change orders, and invoicing.
• Recording and reporting key construction metrics to team members and management.
• Driving troubleshooting and root-cause analysis for equipment failures.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, or an equivalent field, or 6+ years of related construction management experience.
• 5+ years managing large, complex mission-critical projects involving mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems; Data Center experience preferred.
• Strong general contractor and vendor management experience (RFPs, bidding, change orders, quality control, RFIs/submittals).
• Excellent documentation skills, clear communication, and data-driven decision-making abilities.
• Ability to read and interpret construction specifications and drawings across disciplines.
• Knowledge of building codes and regulations (Life Safety, BOCA, NFPA, NEC, OSHA).
• Ability to travel as needed (~25%).

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of electrical and mechanical principles related to data centers.
• Experience with data center or large-scale critical infrastructure construction.
• Value engineering skills to reduce costs without compromising quality and reliability.
• Experience with power management and monitoring systems.
• Certifications such as PE, LEED, or CCM are a plus.

PM25

About Align

Align is a premier global provider of technology infrastructure solutions, specializing in designing and deploying solutions from desktops to data centers, along with managed IT services. Our professional services include Workplace Technology, Data Center Solutions, and Migrations & Cloud, offering consulting, design, project management, engineering, implementation, and support. Our Managed Services team provides IT and cybersecurity advisory, particularly for clients in the Alternative Investment industry. We are a Microsoft Tier 1 CSP and Gold Partner.

Our client-centric approach and passion for IT innovation have enabled us to deliver tailored solutions and business transformations for over three decades. Leading firms rely on us for forward-thinking technology strategies that support current and future business needs.

Our teams have a proven track record of delivering technical solutions and maintaining long-term relationships with a diverse client base, including Global 1000 and SMB companies across industries such as financial services, life sciences, retail, technology, media, and telecommunications.