Project Manager (Design Manager) - Critical Facilities

Gensler; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) and profit sharing

Paid holidays & time off

Job summary

Gensler in San Jose is seeking a multi‑talented architect/Design Manager to lead data center and critical facilities projects. You will align resources, liaise with clients, and ensure on‑time, on‑budget delivery for world‑class facilities.

The ideal candidate brings 8+ years of experience managing large design teams, plus deep knowledge of core/shell construction, regulatory coordination, and advanced design tools. This role requires in‑office presence in San Jose five days a week.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture or related field required.
• 8+ years of project management experience and team leadership in design.
• Critical Facilities experience with completed data center projects is required.
• Professional license or certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead client projects, directing objectives, scope, terms and schedule.
• Manage scheduling, budgets, staffing, and coordination with contractors.
• Prepare proposals, negotiate contracts and bid multiple projects.
• Track financial performance including fees, changes, billings and collections.
• Oversee full lifecycle from estimation to close-out and turnover.
• Collaborate on design solutions and project documentation.
• Guide team in documentation and pricing through construction phases.
• Resolve complex technical and design issues to ensure success.

Education

Bachelor's or Masters degree in Architecture or related field

Professional license or certification preferred

Tools

Revit

Adobe Creative Suite

AutoCAD

Sketchup

Rhino

Enscape

VRay

MS Project

Job description

Contract Type

Full-Time

Job Category

Design Management

Areas of Expertise

Critical Facilities

Location

San Jose, CA, US

Gensler's Critical Facilities practice is looking for a multi‑talented architect to join our growing team. We are looking for a candidate with experience in the design and delivery of high‑tech, new development architecture projects‑whether for data centers, high density labs, or other complex designs. You will be a key team member to help expand our capabilities in support of our clients aggressive expansion initiatives, working with our global and regional leaders to lead internal and external project teams and grow client relationships. The ideal candidate will be adept in the design and technical elements of project delivery.

Our Critical Facilities practice area is unique, having the ability to draw expertise from and collaborate with all of Gensler's practice areas to serve clients based on their evolving technical requirements. Beyond data centers, our critical facilities team delivers projects for high‑performance/research/supercomputing, command and control centers, SCIFs, Artificial Intelligence centers, and various other technology‑rich project types.

Your Role

As a Gensler architectural project manager (Design Manager by title), you will leverage your attention to detail and interpersonal skills to deliver exceptional architectural projects on time and on budget. You will deploy resources to ensure that the work process flows smoothly and act as the primary liaison between the team and client. Your role is critical in the design and delivery of world‑class Data Centers and other Critical Facilities projects. This is a great opportunity to join a highly creative, collaborative team while working on trendsetting architectural projects across in the data center/critical facilities market.

What You Will Do

• Implement one or more client projects through the leadership of project teams; provide leadership to clients and teams by communicating project objectives, contract scope, terms, and schedule
• Manage scheduling, budgets, staffing, and project set‑up with clients, sub‑contractors, vendors, and contractors
• Prepare project proposals and negotiate contracts and fees; bid projects to multiple general contractors
• Track and manage financial performance of projects for success (e.g., work plan, schedule, fees, change orders, billings, and collections)
• Manage the full project lifecycle, including estimating, bidding, project kick‑off, weekly coordination, punch list, turnover, opening, and project close‑out
• Collaborate with project team members on design solutions and documentation
• Guide the project team in documentation and pricing through construction
• Resolve complex technical and design issues to ensure project success
• Manage project specifications to align with design intent and project requirements
• Communicate with consultants and authorities having jurisdiction to coordinate approvals and compliance with regulations

Your Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Masters degree in Architecture or related field
• 8+ years of related experience, managing projects and teams
• Must have Critical Facilities experience; completed data center projects
• Professional license or certification preferred
• Experience negotiating project scope, fees, managing project financial performance, and ensuring fiscal responsibility for projects
• Knowledge of building materials, specifications and construction techniques specific to core and shell architecture is required
• Strong knowledge of building codes, zoning, accessibility, and generally knowledgeable in jurisdictional processes is required
• Extensive experience in construction document preparation, including detailing and field observation
• Experience with project management software, such as MS Project, a plus
• Strong Revit, Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator), Microsoft Office experience desired. AutoCAD, Sketchup, Rhino, Enspace, VRay also beneficial
• Essential knowledge of engineering disciplines in coordinating highly technical infrastructure heavy projects

*The base salary range will be estimated between $110,000 - $150,000 plus bonuses and benefits and contingent on relevant experience.

This position requires you to be in the San Jose Office 5 days per week.

Life at Gensler

At Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best‑in‑class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions to "Well‑being Week," our offices reflect our people's diverse interests.

We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401k, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, and twice annual bonus opportunities. Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets.

As part of the firm's commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.

#LI-SL1

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative Action employer of choice.

All aspects of employment decisions will be based on merit, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of any status protected under federal, state and local law.

Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with federal, state and local law.

See also Know your rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal, right to work and E-verify program, as required by law.

Gensler endeavors to make gensler.com/careers accessible to all applicants. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us.

Regarding Gensler's approach to recruiting new talent, we will never ask an applicant for sensitive or personal financial information during the recruitment process. We advise all applicants seeking employment with Gensler to review available information on recruitment fraud. Anyone who suspects that they have been contacted by someone falsely representing Gensler should email [e-mail].