Principal Architect - Data Centers

MEP Resources; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 125,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

MEP Resources in the United States seeks a senior Architecture leader to guide multiple offices in delivering large-scale projects from design through delivery. You will manage studios, teams, and resources across locations, building strong client relationships and aligning design excellence with business goals.

The role requires 15+ years in architecture or A/E, a degree in architecture, proven leadership of big teams and BD success, oversight of studio operations and finances, and a track

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in architecture, design, or A/E firms.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture or related field.
• Strong experience leading large architectural teams, studios, or business units.
• Proven responsibility for studio operations, financial performance, staffing, and resource planning.
• Strong client relationship management and executive-level communication skills.
• Proven business development experience, including identifying opportunities and generating new revenue.
• Experience leading proposals, RFP responses, and strategic pursuits.
• Experience managing large, complex building programs from design through delivery.
• Strong understanding of project financials, budgets, staffing, risk, and overall project performance.
• Experience leading and developing Project Managers, architects, designers, and other team members.
• Ability to manage teams and resources across multiple offices or geographic locations.
• Strong strategic planning, organizational leadership, and change-management experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead large architectural teams across multiple studios or business units.
• Oversee studio operations, staffing, and financial performance.
• Develop and manage executive-level client relationships and communications.
• Drive business development, identify opportunities, and generate revenue.
• Lead proposals, RFP responses, and strategic pursuits for major projects.
• Manage large, complex building programs from design through delivery.

Skills

Leadership of large teams

Executive communication

Client relationship management

Business development experience

Proposals & RFPs

Project financials & budgets

Resource planning across offices

Strategic planning

Staffing & recruiting

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Architecture

Job description

Location: Phoenix, AZ; McLean, VA; Washington, DC; Houston, TX; Addison, TX; Portland, OR; other U.S. office locations may be considered

Workplace type: Office / project-based

Type: Full-time

Pay: $125,000–$200,000 base salary, depending on experience and qualifications

Must-haves:

• 15+ years of experience within an architecture, design, or A/E firm
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Architecture or a related field
• Strong experience leading large architectural teams, studios, or business units
• Proven responsibility for studio operations, financial performance, staffing, and resource planning
• Strong client relationship management and executive-level communication skills
• Proven business development experience, including identifying opportunities and generating new revenue
• Experience leading proposals, RFP responses, and strategic pursuits
• Experience managing large, complex building programs from design through delivery
• Strong understanding of project financials, budgets, staffing, risk, and overall project performance
• Experience leading and developing Project Managers, architects, designers, and other team members
• Ability to manage teams and resources across multiple offices or geographic locations
• Strong strategic planning, organizational leadership, and change-management experience

Nice-to-have skills or certifications:

• Licensed Architect
• Significant data center or mission-critical architecture experience
• Experience leading hyperscale or large-scale data center programs
• Existing relationships within the data center, technology, or mission-critical market
• Experience managing a national or regional architecture practice
• Strong track record of bringing in new clients and growing existing accounts
• Experience with annual business planning and studio-level P&L responsibility
• Experience integrating teams across multiple markets and offices