Director, DEC - Systems Strategy & Technology

Meta•Menlo Park, CA

About The Position

As the Senior Director of Systems Strategy and Technology (SST), you will serve as the strategic, forward-looking interface between the industry and the infrastructure pillars to drive Infra system technology stack alignment and Data Center MEP and building systems innovation. You will lead the organization responsible for the Data Center R&D team and the Hardware NPI (New Product Introduction) Technical Readiness team. Your primary mission is to ensure that the evolving data center technology stack—specifically focused on Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems—directly informs data center topology, interface technology, and performance requirements. Rather than developing the IT hardware itself, you will focus on the compatibility between next-generation hardware and the data center facility, ensuring hardware features enable highly efficient and effective operations. You will lead the transition from laboratory innovation to massive-scale deployment, enabling a multi-billion dollar capital program This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of our data center program globally. The Datacenter Engineering and Construction team endeavors to be the benchmark of innovation for the data center industry and improve reliability, safety, and efficiency through innovative solutions, enabling Meta’s mission to build the future of human connection and the technology that makes it possible.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or equivalent industry experience
Minimum fifteen (15) years of experience in engineering, design, and/or R&D for mission-critical applications
Extensive experience with MEP systems, including building automation, electrical distribution, mechanical cooling, and facility controls
Proven track record in NPI technical readiness, specifically managing the integration of complex systems into physical data center environments
Deep understanding of data center facility architecture and its interaction with server and network system technologies
Experience leading large-scale technical vision and roadmaps for enterprise-wide efforts
Effective communication skills: North to leadership, east-west to peers and various stakeholders, and south to support engineers

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering
Professional Engineer (PE) registration
Mastery of hyperscale cooling technologies, such as Direct-to-Chip, Rear Door Heat Exchangers (RDHx), and chilled water loops
Working knowledge of Open Compute Project (OCP) standards, particularly Open Rack (ORv3) and its impact on facility power density
Proficiency in sustainability metrics and energy-efficient designs (e.g., PUE and WUE optimization) to meet ESG targets
Experience in cost estimating methodologies to establish business cases for R&D projects - e.g. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), ROI, etc
Working knowledge of relevant domestic and international standards, building codes and safety regulations for cooling systems including NEC, ASHRAE, NETA, ANSI, IEEE, NFPA, UL, UFC and UBC

Responsibilities

Infrastructure Strategy & R&D: Lead the strategy to conceptualize and develop large-scale data center infrastructure, specifically incepting and ideating next-generation power, cooling, and connectivity technologies and topologies.
Orchestrate a global R&D investment strategy by maintaining a "wide aperture" into the industry ecosystem, fostering strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to identify and pilot innovative power, cooling, and connectivity solutions that enhance system reliability and speed to market.
Establish and leverage high-level industry relationships with operators, developers, and global standards bodies (e.g., Open Compute Project, IEEE) to source primary intelligence on mission-critical infrastructure trends and influence the development of facility-hardware interface standards that drive long-term operational efficiency and prevent infrastructure obsolescence.
Facility-Hardware Interface: Drive infrastructure system technology stack coordination to ensure seamless integration between IT hardware and facility building systems.
Operational Feature Optimization: Collaborate with Hardware and Network teams to ensure new products include features that facilitate efficient site operations, such as automation-focused designs, toolless maintenance, and blind-mate connectivity.
Thermal & Power Coordination: Lead efforts to adapt facility MEP systems to support the "AI super cycle," focusing on high-density thermal management and high-efficiency power architectures.
Cross-Functional Roadmap Alignment: Interface with IDC, Hardware, Network, and Core Systems to align technical roadmaps and shared objectives.
Strategic Capacity Leadership: Partner with Capacity Planning and Site Development to ensure the long-term vision for facility capacity meets the projected demands of evolving hardware.
Organizational Leadership: Hire, build, and manage high-performing engineering teams, setting clear goals to measure impact on reliability, safety, and speed to market.
Provide strategy and direction on new data center product designs, integrating new technological advancements and requirements while balancing business priorities around cost, efficiency, time to delivery and sustainability.