Senior Design Director - Digital Infrastructure & Mission Critical Facilities

AECOM; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 170,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM invites applications for a Senior Design Director to lead the planning, design, and delivery of complex digital infrastructure and large-scale programs. This remote US role requires guiding multidisciplinary teams from site selection to operations readiness.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in architecture, civil, structural, MEP, and telecom disciplines, with a proven track record in client leadership and program delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, or related discipline with 8+ years of relevant experience.
• 8+ years of experience managing complex infrastructure, telecommunications, data center, or mission-critical projects.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams and coordinating multiple stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, schedules, and client relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary design teams across all project phases.
• Coordinate architecture, civil, structural, MEP, and telecom disciplines.
• Oversee project scope, budget, schedule, quality, and risk.
• Serve as executive-level client lead and support major pursuits.

Skills

Design leadership

Team leadership

Budget management

Stakeholder coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

BIM/Revit

Civil 3D

Bluebeam

GIS

Job description

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

AECOM is seeking an experienced Senior Design Director to lead the planning, design, and delivery of complex digital infrastructure, mission-critical, utility, and large-scale infrastructure programs.

This role will provide executive leadership for multidisciplinary teams delivering hyperscale data centers, mission-critical facilities, telecommunications infrastructure, utility systems, network operations facilities, cable landing stations, and associated infrastructure developments.

The successful candidate will bring extensive experience leading integrated design teams across architecture, civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), telecommunications, commissioning, environmental, permitting, and construction disciplines.

This individual will serve as both a trusted client advisor and senior design leader responsible for guiding projects from site selection and due diligence through design, construction, commissioning, and operational readiness.

What You'll Do

Design Leadership

• Lead multidisciplinary design teams across all project phases.
• Direct coordination among architecture, civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, telecommunications, environmental, and commissioning disciplines.
• Ensure design integration, quality, constructability, resilience, and operational excellence.
• Lead technical design reviews and executive stakeholder workshops.

Program Delivery

• Manage large and complex programs from planning through commissioning.
• Oversee project scope, budget, schedule, quality, and risk.
• Identify project delivery challenges and develop mitigation strategies.
• Support procurement, contractor coordination, and construction administration activities.

Client Leadership

• Serve as executive-level client lead.
• Build and maintain relationships with hyperscale technology providers, utilities, infrastructure developers, public agencies, and institutional clients.
• Lead strategic account growth and business development activities.
• Support major pursuits and proposal efforts.

Technical Oversight

Provide leadership for the planning and delivery of:

• AI infrastructure campuses
• Mission-critical facilities
• Cable landing stations
• Network operations centers
• Utility and power infrastructure
• Fiber and telecommunications networks
• Industrial and technology campuses
• Broadband and connectivity infrastructure

Team Development

• Mentor project managers, design managers, and technical leaders.
• Build and grow a high-performing multidisciplinary delivery team.
• Support recruitment and succession planning activities.

Qualifications Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, or related discipline + 8 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education.
• 8+ years of experience managing complex infrastructure, telecommunications, mission-critical, utility, or data center projects.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams and coordinating multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success managing project budgets, schedules, and client relationships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent professional credential.
• Experience delivering data centers, telecommunications facilities, broadband networks, fiber infrastructure, utility infrastructure, mission-critical facilities, or related large-scale infrastructure programs.
• Knowledge of submarine cable systems, cable landing stations, dark fiber networks, carrier-neutral facilities, or long-haul communications infrastructure.
• Experience supporting international projects and geographically distributed teams.
• Familiarity with permitting, environmental compliance, utility coordination, and regulatory processes.
• Experience using BIM/Revit, Civil 3D, Bluebeam, GIS, or related design and collaboration platforms.
• Strong business development, proposal management, and client engagement experience.
• Proven ability to mentor staff and lead high-performing teams.

Additional Information

This position is fully remote within the United States.

• Domestic and international travel may be required to support client meetings, site assessments, design workshops, key project milestones, and construction activities.
• Sponsorship for US employment authorization is not available now or in the future for this position.
• Professional references may be requested as part of the hiring process.
• THIS POSTING IS FOR A CURRENT VACANCY, AND AECOM INTENDS TO FILL THIS POSITION BY NOVEMBER 12, 2026.

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

Offered rate of compensation will be based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. The range for this position is $170000 to $225000.

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include:

• medical
• dental
• vision
• life
• AD&D
• disability benefits
• paid time off
• leaves of absences
• voluntary benefits
• perks
• flexible work options
• well-being resources
• employee assistance program
• business travel insurance
• service recognition awards
• retirement savings plan
• employee stock purchase plan

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

1. ReqID: J10158732
2. Business Line: B&P - Buildings & Places
3. Business Group: DCS
4. Strategic Business Unit: East
5. Career Area: Consulting Services
6. Work Location Model: Remote
7. Compensation: USD 170000 - USD 225000 - yearly