Development Program Manager - Acoustics Engineering SME

Quality Technology Services•Irving, TX

About The Position

The 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, driving design standards, regulatory compliance, community noise mitigation, reliability, and operational performance throughout the project lifecycle. The Program Manager works with Development, Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Operations, Legal, and Community Relations teams, as well as third-party acoustics consultants and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs). The position requires 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, with the ability to develop and implement enterprise-wide technical strategies.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple initiatives and projects simultaneously.
Strong understanding of environmental acoustics, 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 measures such as sound barriers, acoustic louvers, silencers, enclosures, lagging, resilient isolation, and source controls.
Experience with architectural acoustics, including sound transmission class (STC), outdoor-indoor transmission class (OITC), noise criteria (NC), room criteria (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, airflow, and acoustical performance interact.
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 other relevant acoustics credential.

Responsibilities

Own the development and continuous improvement of 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 supporting mission-critical facilities.
Review site plans, drawing packages, specifications, acoustical models, and engineering deliverables for adherence to design standards, project criteria, permit conditions, and applicable noise ordinances.
Review designs 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 teams to align on site requirements and acoustical performance objectives.
Review and approve practical noise and vibration mitigation strategies proposed by design teams and third-party consultants 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 third-party studies for conformance with company standards.
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, and vendor submittals.
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 findings concerning ambient sound levels, nearby sensitive receptors, zoning and noise ordinances, permitting risk, utility equipment, transportation sources, and long-term campus expansion.
Coordinate with municipalities, AHJs, environmental agencies, utilities, and third-party acoustical consultants regarding 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.
Work with strategic procurement teams on equipment selection, sound-power requirements, and procurement strategies.
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.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
401(k) retirement plan with Roth and Traditional matching contributions and immediate vesting.
Flexible spending and HSA accounts.
Paid holidays, paid time off, paid volunteer days, and floating holidays.
Employee assistance program.
Tuition assistance and tuition reimbursement.
Parental leave and military leave assistance and benefits.
QTS scholarship for employee dependents.
Wellness program.
Bonus eligibility; the position may also be eligible for equity.
Stock Purchase Plan (SPP).
Pet and legal insurance.
Q-Rest Sabbatical Program.
Q-Anniversary Service Award Program.
QTS Charitable Matching Gift Program.
QTS Crisis Fund.
Holiday compensation when holidays are worked.