Principal Engineer, Data Center Architect

DigitalOcean; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 184,000 - 231,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible time off

Career development resources

Equity compensation

Job summary

DigitalOcean in Seattle seeks a Principal Datacenter Architect to drive architecture for next-generation data centers. This role ensures facility designs remain forward-looking by overseeing cooling and power systems while collaborating on site selections and vendor partnerships.

The ideal candidate should have extensive experience in data center architecture, especially in MEP systems, and possess strong leadership skills to guide both internal teams and external representation.

Competitive salary range of $184,000 - $231,000 offered. This is a hybrid role.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in data center architecture or related field.
• Strong working knowledge of cooling technologies for high-density deployments.
• Demonstrated ability to scale successful pilots into global standards.

Responsibilities

• Define and own reference architectures for next-generation data center environments.
• Serve as primary technical stakeholder for MEP systems.
• Architect end-to-end cooling and power designs.

Skills

Data center architecture

Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems

Cooling technologies

AI/ML hardware roadmaps

Proof-of-concept initiatives

Cross-functional collaboration

Leadership and mentoring

Job description

Dive in and do the best work of your career at DigitalOcean. Journey alongside a strong community of top talent who are relentless in their drive to build the simplest scalable cloud. If you have a growth mindset, naturally like to think big and bold, and are energized by the fast-paced environment of a true industry disruptor, you’ll find your place here. We value winning together—while learning, having fun, and making a profound difference for the dreamers and builders in the world.

Drive the future of our physical infrastructure footprint, from Air Cooling through to 800VDC Liquid Rack Scale systems.

This role is a Principal Datacenter Architect on our Design team, this role owns the forward looking Data Center architecture. Keeping a focus on where the industry is going, from Air to Liquid to 800VDC rack scale systems. Working with peers on the Design team who own the architectures for the Server, Network and Storage services.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Defining and owning DigitalOcean's reference architectures for next-generation Data Center environments, navigating shifts in technology, networking topologies, and AI/ML hardware roadmaps to keep facility designs future-proofed.
• Serving as DigitalOcean's primary technical stakeholder for Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems across both leased colocation and build-to-suit environments, partnering with SMEs in the DC Ops organization.
• Provide leadership and guidance as a primary stakeholder in the new site selection process.
• Architecting end-to-end cooling designs with vendors and partner teams to support a wide variety of CPU, GPU, and other emerging server hardware.
• Architecting end-to-end power topologies with vendor teams to support diverse hardware across medium to ultra-high-density rack deployments, moving from 415VAC to 800VDC.
• Leading proof-of-concept (PoC) initiatives for emerging infrastructure technologies and transitioning successful pilots into global deployment standards.
• Guiding leadership through the implications of non-traditional data center facilities and emerging technologies such as behind-the-meter (BTM) power, to modular DC designs. Working with internal teams to weigh the business, commercial, and operational risks and tradeoffs.
• Mentor engineers at all levels and contribute to a culture of technical excellence, inclusivity, and impact.
• Represent DigitalOcean in the broader community attending conferences, contributing to papers and presentations.

What We’ll Expect From You

• 10+ years of experience in data center architecture, infrastructure engineering, or a related field, with a track record of owning designs at scale.
• Deep expertise in MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) systems for both leased colocation and build-to-suit data center environments.
• Strong working knowledge of cooling technologies across the spectrum—from air cooling to direct liquid cooling and rack-scale liquid systems, for high-density CPU and GPU deployments.
• Familiarity with AI/ML hardware roadmaps and the ability to translate evolving server, networking, and accelerator trends into future-proofed facility designs.
• Knowledge of emerging and non-traditional infrastructure approaches such as behind-the-meter (BTM) power and modular/prefabricated data center designs.
• Demonstrated ability to lead proof-of-concept initiatives and scale successful pilots into global deployment standards.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, partnering with technical and business teams along with external vendors and partners.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, including mentoring engineers and representing the company externally at conferences and through technical papers.

Compensation Range

• $184,000 - $231,000
• This is a hybrid role

Why You’ll Like Working for DigitalOcean

• We innovate with purpose. You’ll be a part of a cutting-edge technology company with an upward trajectory, who are proud to simplify cloud and AI so builders can spend more time creating software that changes the world. As a member of the team, you will be a Shark who thinks big, bold, and scrappy, like an owner with a bias for action and a powerful sense of responsibility for customers, products, employees, and decisions.
• We prioritize career development. At DO, you’ll do the best work of your career. You will work with some of the smartest and most interesting people in the industry. We are a high-performance organization that will always challenge you to think big. Our organizational development team will provide you with resources to ensure you keep growing. We provide employees with reimbursement for relevant conferences, training, and education. All employees have access to LinkedIn Learning's 10,000+ courses to support their continued growth and development.
• We care about your well-being. Regardless of your location, we will provide you with a competitive array of benefits to support you from our Employee Assistance Program to Local Employee Meetups to flexible time off policy, to name a few. While the philosophy around our benefits is the same worldwide, specific benefits may vary based on local regulations and preferences.
• We reward our employees. The salary range for this position is based on market data, relevant years of experience, and skills. You may qualify for a bonus in addition to base salary; bonus amounts are determined based on company and individual performance. We also provide equity compensation to eligible employees, including equity grants upon hire and the option to participate in our Employee Stock Purchase Program.
• DigitalOcean is an equal-opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service.