Interim Data Center Engineering Lead

Ports North; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Korn Ferry is partnering with a rapidly growing infrastructure-focused organization to identify an Interim Data Center Engineering Lead in Dallas. This senior technical authority will guide design and deployment of large-scale data center infrastructure, coordinating with executives, partners, and vendors.

The role blends hands-on engineering with strategic leadership, oversight of power, cooling, networking, fiber, and facility readiness, and the potential to grow a small engineering team over

Qualifications

• 10+ years in infrastructure engineering or related leadership roles.
• Proven experience leading large-scale data center build-outs.
• Deep understanding of data center design, operations, power, cooling, networking, and connectivity.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical planning and execution of large-scale data center deployments.
• Act as liaison between executive leadership, construction teams, engineering firms, and vendors.
• Oversee infrastructure requirements for power, connectivity, network architecture, fiber, and facility readiness.
• Provide guidance through full project lifecycle from site development to operation.
• Partner with construction and engineering teams to ensure on-schedule delivery and business alignment.
• Establish engineering standards, documentation, and best practices.
• Evaluate designs for scalability, resiliency, and operational excellence.
• Support vendor selection, contract reviews, and due diligence.
• Collaborate with leadership to build internal infrastructure capabilities and processes.
• Mentor future team members and shape long-term engineering function.

Skills

Infrastructure leadership

Data center design

Power systems

Cooling

Networking infrastructure

Fiber connectivity

Vendor management

Stakeholder management

Project lifecycle guidance

Executive collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Professional licensure (PE) preferred

Job description

Interim Data Center Engineering Lead

About the Opportunity

Our client is a rapidly growing infrastructure-focused organization. Acting as a strategic partner between hyperscalers and construction providers, the company enables the delivery of next-generation data center environments by coordinating critical infrastructure, utility, fiber, and construction activities.

As the organization continues to build out its technology and engineering capabilities, they are seeking an Interim Data Center Engineering Lead to serve as the technical authority for data center infrastructure initiatives. This individual will work closely with executive leadership, construction partners, engineering firms, utility providers, and technology vendors to guide the successful design and deployment of large-scale data center environments.

Position Summary

This is a highly hands-on leadership role for a senior-level engineer or architect who has successfully delivered large-scale data center infrastructure projects. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with strong stakeholder management skills and is comfortable operating in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

The Data Center Engineering Lead will serve as the primary technical point of contact for infrastructure build-outs, including data center construction, fiber connectivity, networking infrastructure, and related engineering activities. Over time, this individual may have the opportunity to build and lead a small engineering team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the technical planning and execution of large-scale data center infrastructure deployments.
• Act as the primary liaison between internal leadership, construction teams, engineering firms, utility providers, and technology vendors.
• Oversee data center infrastructure requirements related to power, connectivity, network architecture, fiber deployment, and facility readiness.
• Provide technical guidance throughout the full project lifecycle, from site development through operational readiness.
• Partner with construction and engineering organizations to ensure projects are delivered on schedule and aligned with business requirements.
• Establish engineering standards, documentation, and best practices to support future growth.
• Evaluate infrastructure designs and ensure scalability, resiliency, and operational excellence.
• Support vendor selection, contract reviews, and technical due diligence activities.
• Collaborate closely with executive leadership to build internal infrastructure capabilities and engineering processes.
• Mentor future team members and help shape the organization's long-term engineering function.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in infrastructure engineering, data center engineering, or related technical leadership roles.
• Proven experience leading large-scale data center build-outs and infrastructure deployments.
• Deep understanding of data center design, operations, power systems, cooling, network infrastructure, and connectivity.
• Strong knowledge of fiber infrastructure, telecommunications, and carrier connectivity.
• Experience managing external engineering firms, construction partners, and infrastructure vendors.
• Ability to function as both a strategic leader and hands-on technical contributor.
• Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional communication skills.
• Experience operating within both large enterprise environments and smaller, high-growth organizations.

Preferred Background

Candidates from the following environments are highly preferred:

• Hyperscalers
• Data center operators and providers
• Colocation providers
• Digital infrastructure organizations
• Telecommunications and fiber network companies
• Large energy, oil & gas, or industrial organizations with significant infrastructure build-out experience

About Korn Ferry

Korn Ferry unleashes potential in people, teams, and organizations. We work with our clients to design optimal organization structures, roles, and responsibilities. We help them hire the right people and advise them on how to reward and motivate their workforce while developing professionals as they navigate and advance their careers. To learn more, please visit Korn Ferry at www.Kornferry.com