Senior Design Manager - Hyperscale Data Centers

Thor; United States; Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Thor is expanding its in-house engineering team to support a growing portfolio of Tier 1 U.S. markets.

The Senior Design Manager will lead civil and architectural design across the portfolio from site diligence through design, permitting, construction and close-out. You would oversee consultants responsible for civil, geotechnical, architectural and structural design, coordinating MEP, security and controls disciplines to ensure constructible and customer-aligned facilities.

Qualifications

• 9+ years leading large-scale commercial, industrial or data center design projects.
• Experience directing civil, architectural and structural consultants with coordination and permitting.
• PE or AIA credentials preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead civil, geotechnical, architectural and structural design delivery across the portfolio.
• Coordinate MEP, security and controls disciplines for cohesive designs.
• Oversee design through permitting, review construction documents and RFIs; provide field support.

Skills

Design leadership

Civil engineering

Architectural design

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's in Civil/Architecture

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

GIS

Bluebeam

Job description

A well-capitalized hyperscale data center developer is expanding its in-house engineering team to support a growing portfolio of Tier 1 U.S. markets. With institutional investment and a development strategy centered on speed, scale and sustainability, the business is building the technical capability to support projects from site origination through operations.

The Senior Design Manager will lead civil and architectural design delivery across the portfolio, taking projects from initial site diligence through design, permitting, construction and close-out.

This is one of five planned Design Manager hires in 2026, reflecting the scale of the development pipeline and the need for experienced design leaders who can operate across multiple projects.

You would lead the consultants responsible for civil, geotechnical, architectural and structural design, while coordinating MEP, security and controls disciplines to ensure each facility is cohesive, constructible and aligned with customer requirements.

Working alongside internal electrical, mechanical and controls specialists, you would resolve design interfaces early, maintain quality across consultant deliverables and ensure site-specific requirements are reflected in the engineering.

A significant part of the role sits at the intersection of design and construction. You would oversee design through permitting, review construction documents and contractor submittals, respond to RFIs, and provide field support to verify that engineering work meets design specifications. You would also build relationships with permitting authorities, client technical teams and construction partners to resolve issues before they affect schedule or cost.

Alongside project delivery, you would support site origination through technical reviews of existing conditions and infrastructure, advise the development team on preconstruction risks, and help establish the engineering standards and processes that will underpin a growing in-house team.

The role works closely with engineering leadership and interfaces regularly with Commercial, program management and the wider development organization. Success means coordinated designs delivered on schedule, permitting approvals secured without unnecessary delays, and construction issues resolved before they become costly field changes.

What tends to fit:

• 9+ years leading large-scale commercial, industrial or data center civil site design or architectural design projects
• 3-5+ years of hands-on construction-phase experience, with the ability to identify and resolve site-specific engineering challenges
• An accredited degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture or a closely related discipline; PE or AIA credentials preferred
• Experience directing civil, geotechnical, architectural and structural consultants, with responsibility for design coordination, permitting and construction documentation
• Strong working knowledge of MEP coordination, constructability, sustainability, integrated design standards and QA/QC processes
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, GIS and Bluebeam Revu
• The judgment to work independently, communicate clearly with senior stakeholders and manage competing design priorities across multiple projects

Data center or large-scale industrial development experience is particularly valuable. The strongest candidates will combine technical depth with the ability to lead external design teams, navigate permitting requirements and keep complex projects moving with minimal oversight.

The opportunity is to help shape the engineering standards and design delivery capability behind a growing hyperscale data center portfolio, with influence from site origination through operations.

Location:

Remote (For very strong candidates) or Denver, CO (hybrid), with up to 25% travel. Relocation assistance available.

Compensation:

$160,000-$200,000 base salary, plus a 20% target bonus.