Director of Design Execution

Switch; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous benefits package

Flexible remote opportunities

Job summary

Switch is seeking a Director of Design Execution to lead the practical execution, coordination, and validation of data center designs across its project portfolio. You will manage a team of experts and external resources, driving governance, standards, and field-ready solutions from post-design through turnover and operational readiness.

You will partner with Design Engineering, Construction, Commissioning, Operations, EHS, Finance, Legal, and other stakeholders to improve project delivery and

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive engineering experience in mission-critical facilities such as data centers.
• 5+ years of experience leading engineering teams, technical professionals, consultants, or comparable resources.
• 4+ years of project management experience in data center engineering or equivalent infrastructure.
• Strong knowledge of electrical and mechanical systems in mission-critical environments and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Design Execution team, including internal experts and external consultants.
• Set priorities, allocate resources, establish performance expectations, and coach staff.
• Oversee design handoff, construction, commissioning, turnover, and operational readiness across projects.
• Establish governance, decision management, escalation pathways, and metrics for post-IFC execution.
• Translate design intent into actionable field execution requirements for constructability and reliability.
• Resolve construction and field engineering issues and support critical operations.
• Lead engineering solutions for upgrades, capacity, availability, and efficiency improvements.
• Provide technical leadership for electrical and mechanical infrastructure (UPS, transformers, HVAC, etc.).
• Review construction drawings, schematics, and submittals to ensure compliance and quality.
• Collaborate with Design Engineering to turn field feedback into improved standards.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Project management

Field operation experience

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering

Professional Engineer certification

Tools

EPMS/SCADA/BMS

Job description

At Switch, we don’t just design, build and operate data centers—we are enabling the technology of the future. Led by Founder & CEO, Rob Roy, we believe in revolutionary innovation, operational excellence and the principle of karma. Switch is where talented people come together to EVOLVE the digital world.

We believe that innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about the people, culture, and purpose that make it happen. Every Switch team member contributes to a mission greater than themselves: to create the world’s most advanced digital infrastructure that powers the progress of humanity.

The Role: Director of Design Execution

The Director of Design Execution provides enterprise leadership for the practical execution, technical coordination, and field validation of data center designs across Switch’s project portfolio. This role leads the team responsible for translating design intent into solutions that are safe, constructible, commissionable, operable, maintainable, and repeatable.

You will lead Design Execution from post-design handoff through construction, commissioning, turnover, and operational readiness while providing technical support throughout the infrastructure lifecycle. You will establish engineering governance, execution standards, decision and escalation processes, and feedback mechanisms that improve reliability and consistency across regions.

This role leads a team of technical subject matter experts and manages supporting third-party consultants and contractors. You will also partner closely with Design Engineering, Construction, Commissioning, Operations, EHS, Finance, Legal, and other stakeholders to improve project delivery and turn field experience into standards and lessons learned for future projects.

What You’ll Do

Lead and develop the Design Execution team, including technical subject matter experts and supporting third-party consultants and contractors.

Set team priorities, allocate resources, establish performance expectations, and provide coaching and development.

Lead Design Execution activities across the project lifecycle, including design handoff, construction, commissioning, turnover, operations support, infrastructure improvements, and end-of-life planning.

Establish and maintain the engineering governance framework for post-IFC execution, including handoff requirements, engineering decision management, escalation pathways, design-change oversight, performance metrics, and continuous improvement.

Translate design intent into practical field execution requirements that support constructability, commissioning, maintainability, and operational readiness.

Oversee resolution of construction and field engineering issues, including complex procedure reviews, critical equipment concerns, and technical event support.

Oversee engineering solutions for upgrades and retrofits that increase capacity, availability, efficiency, reliability, or operational capability across existing data centers.

Provide technical leadership for electrical and mechanical infrastructure, including transformers, generators, UPS systems, power distribution, HVAC and cooling systems, controls, and related critical infrastructure.

Review and interpret construction drawings, wiring diagrams, schematics, sequences of operation, specifications, submittals, and other engineering documentation.

Partner with Design Engineering to translate field experience, operational feedback, commissioning results, and lessons learned into improved standards and future designs.

Coordinate with Construction, Commissioning, Operations, EHS, and other stakeholders to maintain consistent technical and execution standards across projects.

Manage engineering consultants, vendors, contractors, and other external technical resources supporting Design Execution.

Establish processes, procedures, and tools that enable consistent execution and support customer and project requirements across data center campuses.

Establish and monitor Design Execution performance metrics and provide project, risk, and program updates to senior leadership.

Lead assigned engineering projects and programs and ensure delivery against schedule, budget, quality, and operational requirements.

Coordinate maintenance windows and implementation activities with facility leadership to minimize operational disruption.

Ensure Design Execution activities comply with applicable codes, regulations, Switch requirements, and safety standards, including NFPA 70E requirements where applicable.

Support Operations during turnover, customer-impacting events, near misses, and other complex technical situations.

Identify systemic issues, recurring field challenges, and opportunities to improve execution, reliability, efficiency, and cost.

Build strong working relationships across Operations, Finance, Legal, Construction, Commissioning, Design Engineering, and other stakeholders.

Maintain an active field presence to understand conditions firsthand and validate that solutions can be executed as intended.

What We’re Looking For

You lead technical teams with clear expectations, accountability, coaching, and consistent follow-through.

You make sound engineering decisions while balancing safety, reliability, constructability, cost, schedule, and operational impact.

You can make informed recommendations when technical information is incomplete or conditions are changing.

You identify design and execution risks early and develop practical solutions before they affect project or operational outcomes.

You communicate complex engineering issues clearly to technical teams, business partners, and senior leadership.

You build alignment across Design Engineering, Construction, Commissioning, Operations, and external partners.

You establish standards and governance that improve consistency without creating unnecessary barriers to execution.

You use field experience, data, root cause analysis, and lessons learned to drive continuous improvement.

You develop internal talent while holding consultants, contractors, and other external resources accountable for quality and results.

You are comfortable spending time in the field to understand problems firsthand and validate solutions.

You demonstrate the judgment, accountability, collaboration, and leadership expected under Switch’s Culture Codes.

What You’ll Bring

Required Qualifications

10+ years of progressive engineering experience supporting industrial, commercial, or mission-critical facilities such as data centers, power generation, or oil and gas facilities.

5+ years of experience leading engineering teams, technical professionals, consultants, or comparable resources.

4+ years of project management experience supporting data center engineering or comparable mission-critical infrastructure.

Deep understanding of electrical and mechanical systems used in mission-critical environments, including power distribution, transformers, generators, switchgear, UPS systems, cooling systems, HVAC, controls, and fire protection.

Experience leading or supporting construction, commissioning, turnover, operational readiness, retrofit, or infrastructure improvement activities.

Experience managing engineering projects, consultants, contractors, and other external technical resources.

Experience reading, interpreting, and reviewing construction drawings, specifications, submittals, wiring diagrams, schematics, sequences of operation, and MEP documentation.

Experience with EPMS, SCADA, BMS, or comparable monitoring and controls systems.

Strong knowledge of safety requirements and applicable OSHA standards for multi-megawatt or mission-critical facilities.

Working knowledge of NFPA 70E and electrical safety requirements.

Demonstrated ability to develop and execute solutions for complex engineering and operational problems.

Strong project and program management, prioritization, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Experience using engineering, project management, calculation, data analysis, and collaboration tools.

Ability to support after-hours or weekend activities when required for critical projects, maintenance windows, commissioning, or operational events.

Ability to travel domestically and internationally as business needs require.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.

Professional Engineer registration or other relevant professional engineering certification.

Experience leading enterprise or multi-region engineering programs within data centers or other mission-critical environments.

Experience establishing engineering governance, technical standards, design-change processes, or post-IFC execution frameworks.

Experience supporting root cause analysis, fleet optimization, lifecycle management, and infrastructure reliability programs.

We recognize that qualified candidates may not meet every preferred qualification. If your experience aligns with the core responsibilities of the role, we encourage you to apply.

Why Switch?

A Culture of Karma – We are self-motivated by karma, ensuring our actions contribute to a positive, supportive and forward-thinking environment.

Industry Leading Designs – Work with the most advanced data center technology on the planet and be a part of emerging technology development.

Flexibility & Remote Opportunities – Whether in-office, hybrid, or fully remote, we offer the technology and support to keep teams connected and productive.

Career Stability & Growth – In this expanding industry, we invest in our people, providing opportunities & advancement in a stable, growing company.

Generous Benefits Package – Switch provides comprehensive coverage for you and your family that can be tailored to fit your personal needs, and more!

Join Us & Make a Difference

This is more than a job—it’s a mission. If you’re ready to be part of a culture that values innovation, karma, and limitless potential, we want to hear from you.

Switch provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants. Switch is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. In accordance with applicable law and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), Switch prohibits discrimination against any applicant or employee based on any legally recognized basis, including, but not limited to: race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation or related medical conditions), age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service member status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), or any other consideration protected by federal, state or local laws. Switch’s commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in Switch’s operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee or agent of Switch, including supervisors and coworkers. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.