Sr. Design Manager

Digital Realty Trust, L.P.; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

AD&D insurance

401k match

Disability benefits

Wellness benefits

Education benefits

Employee stock purchase plan

Paid time off

Holidays

Job summary

Digital Realty Trust, L.P. seeks a Sr. Design Manager to lead the design and engineering of data center projects in Dallas, TX. You will implement DEG guidelines, oversee cross-disciplinary teams, and ensure projects meet budget and schedule targets.

You will direct full design lifecycles, lead consultant selections, review submittals, and present to executives. Strong leadership, technical, and communication skills are essential for success.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience managing technically complex projects, including design and/or commissioning.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline; Professional License (AIA, PE/PEng) preferred.
• Ability to lead internal teams, external partners, and project stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee architects, engineers, consultants, and equipment suppliers through the full design lifecycle for data center projects.
• Lead end-to-end RFP processes for Architectural/Engineering consultants and Commissioning Agents.
• Manage consultant performance, including invoice review/DEG deviations tracking across projects.
• Uphold DEG standards and drive value engineering.
• Develop and review project schedules, budgets, and forecasts with Delivery teams.
• Review equipment submittals and provide recommendations to Delivery and Procurement.
• Lead design review sessions and evaluate drawings, Basis of Design, and commissioning plans.
• Serve as primary interface for build-to-suit projects, coordinating with Sales and BD.
• Prepare executive-level presentations and monthly project reports.

Skills

Project leadership

Design management

Budgeting

Stakeholder management

Team collaboration

Communication

DEG knowledge

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline

Professional License (AIA, PE/PEng) preferred

Tools

AutoCAD

MS Office

Job description

Position: Sr. Design Manager

Location: Dallas, TX

Your role: As the Sr. Design Manager, you will be responsible for implementing Digital Realty Design & Engineering Guidelines & Standards and will lead the design of multiple, concurrent projects. You’ll provide strategic and innovative thinking regarding the design and engineering of our data center development projects and manage challenging deliverables against aggressive project expectations (within budget and set schedule objectives).

What you’ll do

• Direct and oversee architects, engineers, consultants, and equipment suppliers through the full design lifecycle for both new builds (greenfield, powered shell/core, data centers) and renovation/upgrade projects.
• Lead end-to-end RFP processes for Architectural/Engineering consultants and Commissioning Agents, including proposal evaluation and vendor selection recommendations.
• Manage consultant performance, including invoice review/approval and tracking of Design & Engineering Guideline (DEG) deviations across projects.
• Apply and uphold Digital Realty Design & Engineering standards to ensure alignment with industry best practices and business objectives, with a focus on value engineering.
• Partner with Delivery teams to develop and review project schedules, budgets, and forecasts for design and construction activities.
• Review OFCI equipment submittals and provide recommendations to Delivery and Procurement teams.
• Lead design review sessions (e.g., page turns), evaluating drawings, Basis of Design, Sequence of Operations, commissioning plans, and testing scripts.
• Serve as the primary customer interface for build-to-suit projects, leading consultant teams and developing work letters (scope, budget, schedule) in partnership with Sales and Business Development.
• Prepare and deliver executive-level presentations and monthly project reports, ensuring alignment with gating processes and seamless transition to Delivery teams.
• Build and manage vendor relationships; conduct site visits and participate in commissioning activities (Levels 4 & 5); contribute to internal design innovation and continuous improvement efforts.

What you’ll need

• 7+ years of experience managing technically complex projects, including direct design and/or commissioning experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline; Professional License (AIA, PE/PEng) preferred.
• Ability to lead and manage internal teams, external partners, and project stakeholders.
• Strong ability to interpret design/construction drawings, specifications, contracts, schedules, and detailed budgets.
• Advanced understanding of electrical, mechanical, security/monitoring, and fire detection/suppression systems.
• Comprehensive knowledge of design and construction industry practices, terminology, and contract structures.
• Familiarity with applicable building codes and regulatory requirements.
• Financial acumen with the ability to review, analyze, and provide recommendations on budgets and estimates.
• Proficiency in MS Office and AutoCAD.
• Strong team collaboration, communication, and relationship-building skills; self-motivated with the ability to work independently with minimal oversight; prior experience with Digital Realty projects and DEG knowledge preferred.

Benefits & Compensation

Digital Realty offers a highly competitive compensation package, excellent benefits, and an environment that recognizes and rewards your contributions. Our published pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum target for new hire pay for the full-time position determined by role, level, and geographical location. Individual pay is based on additional factors including but not limited to job-related skills, experience, and relevant education and/or training. Compensation range $160,000 – $200,000. This compensation range represents the Company’s good faith belief as to what it will pay as a base salary for this position at the time of this posting.

Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, 401k match, disability benefits, wellness and education benefits, employee stock purchase plan, paid time off, holidays, and more.