Data Center Design Manager

Amentum•Philadelphia, PA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Amentum’s Digital Infrastructure Group has been at the forefront of creating a new generation of communication infrastructure for over 40 years. We specialize in everything from network development to complete telecom life cycle solutions, datacenter retrofits and modernization, to full datacenter buildouts. While these critical environments are ever changing, the demand for innovative technology and long-term support remains constant. These services include design, construction, updates, and maintenance of new and existing datacenter facilities. Amentum is seeking an experienced Data Center Design Manager to lead the planning, design, engineering coordination, construction execution, and commissioning of mission-critical infrastructure projects. This role serves as the primary technical leader bridging design teams, construction management, commissioning teams, contractors, and client stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of high-availability data center facilities. The Design Manager is responsible for managing the full project lifecycle, including design reviews, MEP coordination, controls integration, power distribution systems, construction oversight, commissioning, quality assurance, risk mitigation, and operational readiness. The successful candidate will provide leadership across electrical, mechanical, controls, and building automation systems while ensuring projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with all applicable standards and client requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, or related field.
7+ years of experience in mission-critical facilities, data centers, power distribution, MEP engineering, controls engineering, design management, or construction management.
Must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States without visa sponsorship.
Experience managing large-scale data center projects from design through commissioning.
Strong knowledge of: Critical power systems, Electrical distribution systems, HVAC and cooling systems, Building Automation Systems (BAS/BMS), Controls integration, Commissioning and startup activities.
Experience with industry protocols such as BACnet, Modbus, and other control system communications.
Strong understanding of project management principles, scheduling, budgeting, and risk management.
Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to travel to project sites as needed.

Nice To Haves

Experience with hyperscale, colocation, or enterprise data center environments.
Experience with Schneider Electric, Siemens, Honeywell, Johnson Controls, Niagara Framework, or similar platforms.
Professional Engineer (PE), PMP, CDT, ATD, or equivalent industry certifications.
Knowledge of data center standards including Uptime Institute, TIA-942, NFPA, IEEE, and ASHRAE guidelines.
Experience with digital twins, analytics platforms, and predictive maintenance technologies.
Knowledge of OT cybersecurity and automation technologies.
Previous experience managing multiple concurrent mission-critical construction projects.

Responsibilities

Lead multidisciplinary design teams including electrical, mechanical, controls, architectural, structural, civil, and telecommunications disciplines.
Manage design development from concept through construction documentation and turnover.
Review and approve design packages, calculations, equipment selections, and technical specifications.
Develop and review power distribution and control system designs for greenfield and retrofit data center projects.
Establish control strategies, sequences of operation, integration requirements, and design standards.
Collaborate with clients, end users, MEP engineers, architects, contractors, commissioning providers, and operations teams to ensure alignment with project objectives.
Identify technical risks early and drive resolution through design and construction phases.
Serve as the owner's technical representative throughout construction.
Oversee construction activities to ensure compliance with design intent, contract documents, quality standards, and safety requirements.
Manage RFIs, submittments, design clarifications, change orders, and field coordination activities.
Monitor project schedules, budgets, procurement activities, and critical milestones.
Conduct constructability reviews and coordinate issue resolution between design and construction teams.
Lead project meetings and provide executive-level status reporting.
Provide technical expertise for: Medium and low-voltage electrical distribution systems, UPS systems, Generators, Switchgear, HVAC and cooling infrastructure, Building Management Systems (BMS), Electrical Power Monitoring Systems (EPMS), SCADA systems, Fire alarm and life safety systems.
Ensure proper integration between building controls, security systems, fire alarm systems, and electrical monitoring platforms.
Support system architecture development focused on reliability, scalability, efficiency, and operational resilience.
Evaluate emerging technologies supporting AI, high-density computing, and next-generation data center infrastructure.
Lead commissioning planning and execution activities.
Oversee factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), integrated systems testing (IST), and startup activities.
Validate system functionality through testing and performance verification.
Ensure successful system turnover to operations teams.
Support development of O&M documentation, training materials, and operating procedures.
Troubleshoot system faults, alarms, and operational issues.
Drive performance optimization initiatives for power, cooling, and building management systems.
Review and implement control sequences, automation strategies, and energy-efficiency improvements.
Support cybersecurity best practices related to operational technology and control systems.
Manage project deliverables, technical documentation, reports, drawings, schematics, and operating manuals.
Maintain project records and ensure design changes are properly documented.
Build strong relationships with clients, internal stakeholders, contractors, and vendors.
Provide mentorship and technical guidance to engineering and project teams.