Development Program Manager - Acoustics Engineering SME

QTS Data Centers•Chicago, TX

About The Position

QTS is a global leader in digital infrastructure, designing, building, and operating advanced data centers that support AI, cloud, and digital transformation initiatives. The Development Program Manager – Acoustics Engineering SME leads the development, standardization, and implementation of acoustical design and noise and vibration control strategies across QTS development projects. The role serves as the technical leader for environmental, building, and equipment acoustics, advancing design standards, regulatory compliance, community noise mitigation, reliability, and operational performance throughout the project lifecycle. The Program Manager works daily with Development, Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Operations, Legal, and Community Relations teams, as well as third-party acoustics consultants and Authorities Having Jurisdiction. The role requires strong written and verbal communication and involves approximately 25% travel.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Acoustical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
At least 7 years of experience in architectural acoustics, environmental noise, mechanical systems noise control, vibration control, acoustical consulting, or related industries.
At least 3 years of experience leading technical programs, engineering initiatives, or large-scale infrastructure projects.
Experience applying local noise ordinances, permit conditions, acoustical measurement methods, building codes, environmental requirements, and industry best practices.
Experience supporting the design, construction, commissioning, or operation of large-scale industrial, commercial, or mission-critical facilities.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interface with all levels of an organization.
Strong leadership and program management capabilities.
Ability to develop and implement enterprise-wide technical strategies.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple initiatives and projects simultaneously.
Strong understanding of environmental and architectural acoustics, equipment noise, vibration control, sound measurement, and predictive modeling.
Ability to balance regulatory compliance, operational reliability, maintainability, community impact, constructability, and cost objectives.
Strong understanding of mission-critical facility requirements and operational challenges.
Ability to influence stakeholders and drive alignment across development, engineering, procurement, construction, operations, legal, and community relations teams.

Nice To Haves

Experience providing acoustical design or noise and vibration control for data centers, mission-critical facilities, power generation, industrial facilities, or large commercial developments.
Experience developing corporate engineering standards and technical governance programs.
Experience with environmental noise modeling and measurement, including octave-band and one-third-octave-band analysis, sound propagation, tonal assessment, and cumulative source modeling.
Experience evaluating outdoor equipment noise and mitigation such as sound barriers, acoustic louvers, silencers, enclosures, lagging, resilient isolation, and source controls.
Experience with architectural acoustics, including STC, OITC, NC, RC, and reverberation control.
Experience with vibration analysis and control for rotating equipment, generators, transformers, structural systems, and vibration-sensitive spaces.
Experience working with municipalities, AHJs, environmental agencies, utilities, and community stakeholders.
Strong knowledge of applicable ANSI/ASA and ISO acoustical standards, ASHRAE sound and vibration guidance, local noise ordinances, and standard sound-level measurement practices.
Experience supporting environmental permitting, community noise studies, and complaint investigation or response.
Direct experience in data centers, industrial facilities, power generation, manufacturing, or large utility infrastructure projects.
Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and site equipment sound characteristics and how equipment selection, layout, barriers, and airflow interact with acoustical performance.
Experience reviewing manufacturer sound-power data, acoustical calculations, computational models, and field test reports.
Advanced understanding of asset lifecycle management, reliability engineering, and operational risk management.
Proven ability to communicate complex technical issues, acoustical risks, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership and non-technical stakeholders.
Professional Engineer (PE), Board Certified Member of the Institute of Noise Control Engineering (INCE Bd. Cert.), or another relevant acoustics credential.

Responsibilities

Develop and continuously improve enterprise-wide acoustical design and noise and vibration control standards.
Establish and maintain design criteria for site noise, property-line limits, occupied spaces, equipment rooms, building envelopes, mechanical and electrical equipment, and vibration-sensitive systems.
Review site plans, drawing packages, specifications, acoustical models, and engineering deliverables for compliance with design standards, project criteria, permit conditions, and applicable noise ordinances.
Review internal and external design-team and consultant work for compliance with company standards, local regulations, AHJ requirements, lease commitments, and community noise objectives.
Partner with Development, Engineering, Procurement, Pre Development, Legal, and Community Relations to align on site requirements and acoustical performance objectives.
Review and approve practical noise and vibration mitigation strategies across the data center portfolio.
Define requirements for environmental noise planning studies, including baseline studies, predictive modeling, cumulative campus assessments, and long-term build-out evaluations; review and approve consultant studies.
Review and approve acoustical design approaches for generators, cooling equipment, substations, transformers, switchgear, air-handling systems, louvers, exhaust systems, sound barriers, enclosures, silencers, and building envelope assemblies.
Collaborate with procurement teams to evaluate acoustical performance requirements, equipment sound data, mitigation systems, vendor submittals, equipment selection, sound-power requirements, and procurement strategies.
Work with construction, commissioning, environmental, and risk management teams to resolve technical issues, RFIs, field conditions, and value engineering proposals.
Define site due diligence requirements and review consultant findings concerning ambient sound, sensitive receptors, zoning and noise ordinances, permitting risk, utility equipment, transportation sources, and potential campus expansion.
Coordinate with municipalities, AHJs, environmental agencies, utilities, and acoustical consultants on noise criteria, studies, permits, complaints, and mitigation requirements.
Develop and maintain acoustical specifications, design guidelines, modeling requirements, measurement protocols, commissioning criteria, and best practices.
Review consultant field measurements and operational performance data to validate compliance and improve noise control, maintainability, and lifecycle cost.
Support project teams in resolving acoustical and vibration issues during design, construction, commissioning, and operations.
Evaluate innovative noise and vibration control technologies for mission-critical facilities and incorporate them into company standards.
Direct and oversee third-party acoustics consultants, ensuring studies are scoped and performed in accordance with company standards.