Lead Architect

Giga Energy

9d•Remote

About The Position

At Giga, we develop, build, and operate AI energy infrastructure that powers the modern world. And we’re on a mission to fix the broken energy infrastructure experience — permanently. Our vertically integrated approach stacks site origination and development, infrastructure manufacturing, and power market participation under one operating system. Founded in Texas, Giga partners with AI hyperscalers, data center operators and other energy infrastructure teams to deliver projects faster. Why Join Us The Pace: You will own projects moving faster than anywhere else in the industry. The Impact: You are the person who turns "concepts" into "contracts" and "permits." The Team: Work with a world-class group of engineers and builders defining the future of AI infrastructure. What you'll do As Lead Architect, you'll serve as the Design and Code Authority for Giga's data center product line and deployment projects. You'll bridge the gap between our standardized manufacturing intent and the complex web of local regulatory requirements across the United States. You'll own the architectural life safety strategy—ensuring that every facility we deploy is not only aesthetically distinct and structurally sound, but also fully compliant with IBC, NFPA 101, and local zoning ordinances. This means translating our industrial modular designs into permit-ready packages that satisfy Fire Marshals, Planning Departments, and Building Officials across diverse jurisdictions. This role combines industrial design pragmatism with regulatory mastery. You'll design building envelopes that optimize for manufacturing efficiency while meeting high-performance thermal and waterproofing requirements. You'll create compelling architectural visualizations that help stakeholders understand our vision. And you'll be the architect who makes modular data centers permittable anywhere in America.

Requirements

Registered Architect (RA) license required
7+ years of architectural experience with specific focus on industrial, data center, or manufacturing facilities
Expert-level mastery of Autodesk Revit for BIM modeling and documentation
Deep working knowledge of IBC (International Building Code), particularly Groups F-1, S-1, and B
Strong understanding of NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code) and egress requirements
Experience interpreting municipal zoning codes including setbacks, FAR, and height limits
Proficiency in architectural visualization tools (Enscape, Lumion, or Twinmotion)
Proven track record managing permit submissions and AHJ coordination
Strong understanding of fire-rated assemblies and compartmentation strategies
Experience with accessibility requirements under ADA and ANSI A117.1
Ability to balance design intent with manufacturing constraints Bachelor's (B.Arch) or Master's (M.Arch) degree in Architecture
Excellent communication skills for engaging with regulatory officials and cross-functional teams

Nice To Haves

NCARB certification Experience with modular construction, prefabrication, or containerized architecture
Background in mission-critical or data center facilities specifically
Knowledge of pre-engineered metal building (PEMB) systems
Experience with design-build or fast-track project delivery
Familiarity with high-performance building envelopes and thermal optimization
Track record creating standardized architectural solutions for rapid deployment
Experience with industrial occupancy classifications and mixed-use interpretations
Startup or high-growth company experience
Portfolio demonstrating both technical rigor and visual communication excellence
Understanding of zoning entitlement processes and planning commission engagement

Responsibilities

Design building shells including steel structures, pre-engineered metal buildings (PEMB), and containerized integration, balancing industrial efficiency with high-performance thermal and waterproofing details
Create site plans that optimize for logistics, security, and future expansion, determining how standard modules fit diverse geographies while managing setbacks, access roads, and utility entry points
Maintain architectural Revit models, create custom families, manage central files, and ensure perfect coordination with Mechanical and Electrical linked models
Execute detailed occupant load calculations and egress modeling per IBC Chapter 10 and NFPA 101, defining travel distances, exit widths, and dead-end corridors for complex industrial environments
Specify fire-rated assemblies (walls, floors, penetrations) to ensure proper fire separation distances and compartmentation
Guarantee full compliance with ADA and ANSI A117.1 for accessible routes and workspaces across all facilities
Lead permit submission process
Manage permit packages to local building departments, serving as primary point of contact for Plan
Check comments and code interpretation resolution
Proactively engage with Authorities Having Jurisdiction, Fire Marshals, and Planning Departments to clarify code applicability for novel modular structures
Produce zoning analyses, site feasibility studies, and conceptual packages for planning commission reviews to support the real estate team
Produce high-quality 3D renderings, photorealistic perspectives, and architectural walkthroughs for internal stakeholders, investors, and planning boards
Generate complete architectural drawing sets, life safety plans, code analysis sheets, and AHJ plan check responses