Lead, Data Center Infrastructure & AI Cooling

DigitalOcean; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 157,000 - 196,000; Full time

Job summary

DigitalOcean seeks a Senior Infrastructure Engineer to lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for data center infrastructure, AI/GPU facilities, and liquid cooling systems. You will own standards, drive vendor relationships, and lead due diligence and root-cause analyses to ensure scalable, compliant operations.

You’ll collaborate across Site Operations, Deployment, Construction, and Design to enable rapid expansion while maintaining safety and reliability. Travel 20–30% is expected.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, or related Engineering discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• 10+ years in mission-critical engineering, including direct data center infrastructure experience.
• 5+ years leading engineering teams, including hiring, developing, and retaining senior technical talent.
• 5+ years experience managing outsourced engineering teams.
• Deep hands-on experience with liquid cooling systems (CDUs, secondary loop design, leak detection).
• Experience running root-cause analysis with OEMs and translating findings into engineering decisions.
• Working knowledge of NFPA 70E and local electrical codes, with compliance collaboration.
• Experience conducting due diligence on data center facilities (colocation or build-to-suit).
• Track record building engineering standards scalable across multiple sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a multidisciplinary engineering team across electrical, mechanical, and data center infrastructure.
• Develop and own engineering standards and specifications for AI/GPU data centers, including cooling, power, and controls.
• Serve as the technical authority and escalation point for infrastructure issues.
• Perform due diligence on new facilities before signing—power, cooling, electrical, expansion feasibility.
• Own vendor and OEM relationships and drive root-cause engagements.
• Lead root-cause analyses and engineering corrective actions through completion.
• Maintain infrastructure specifications, docs, and change governance with sign-off.
• Collaborate with Site Operations, Deployment, Construction, and Design teams to ensure practical standards.
• Track reliability metrics and prioritize investments by risk; support compliance reviews.

Skills

Liquid cooling systems

Data center infra

Root-cause analysis

Vendor management

Engineering standards

Electrical safety

Education

BS in Electrical/Mechanical/Chemical Engineering

Tools

CDUs

UPS

Generators

Switchgear

Job description

DigitalOcean seeks a Senior Infrastructure Engineer to lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for data center infrastructure, AI/GPU facilities, and liquid cooling systems. You will own standards, drive vendor relationships, and lead due diligence and root-cause analyses to ensure scalable, compliant operations.

You’ll collaborate across Site Operations, Deployment, Construction, and Design to enable rapid expansion while maintaining safety and reliability. Travel 20–30% is expected.