Junior Design Manager, NA

About Vantage Data Centers

Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world's well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

Design Engineering Department

The Design Engineering North America (NA) comprises of a skilled team of Design Managers, Program Managers, and guides in Engineering and Architecture. Our collective expertise is harnessed to create customized adaptations of the forefront Vantage Data Center prototype that perfectly cater to the unique requirements of our customers. Throughout this process, close collaboration takes place with Sales, Operations, and management teams. The Design Engineering team also maintains a close partnership with the Construction team, working together to craft a seamlessly integrated design that ensures the efficient execution of new and existing standards and designs.

At the heart of our vision is the creation of critical infrastructure that facilitates human connection, creativity, sharing, and collective aspirations. Our mission revolves around providing our Customers with consistently exceptional facilities swiftly and enjoying the process while doing so. This dedication extends to our Customers, Construction teams, and Site Operations teams.

What truly sets Vantage apart is our commitment to empowering our technical staff. This team has the ability to align long-term operational sustainability with value engineering and cost metrics, ultimately delivering products that are in sync with our corporate objectives.

The Design Engineering team guides the development and operation of best-in-class data centers for hyperscale customers by providing business-minding Design and Engineering expertise.

Position Overview

This role can be based remotely anywhere in the US.

Vantage is seeking a Junior Design Manager for North America to join our Design Engineering team. In this role, you will champion product performance and technical excellence, ensuring that the data design supports customer and technical requirements.

This person will support the entire design life cycle for both existing and new developments in your region. Your responsibilities will encompass the coordination of design documentation review and approval, and support of both traditional, design-bid-build and design-build contractor teams. Serving as the point of contact for department leaders involved in the project cycle, you will facilitate collaboration between Sales and Solutions Engineering, EH&S, New Site Development, Construction, Design Engineering SMEs (Subject Matter Experts), Sustainability, Automation & Controls, Security, IT, and Operations.

The Jr. Design Manager will support the regional change management process and work closely with the respective partners to ensure concise communication and quick decision making, tracking programmatic feedback and lessons learned.

In alliance with your team, you'll solve intricate engineering challenges and guide their resolution. Upholding and enhancing existing standards for each project, you will conduct engineering analyses to balance capital and operational expenditures. Your role will encompass collaborating with internal customers throughout the design and construction phases, assuming responsibility for the technical relationship. You will provide comprehensive technical engineering guidance to ensure alignment with project requirements, engineering standards, codes, and specifications, demonstrating an in-depth grasp of engineering principles relevant to innovative data center design.

You will support projects from early planning and design development through execution, ensuring quality standards, timely delivery, and technical excellence across the board. This role is ideal for a project leader who thrives in fast-paced environments and can manage cross-functional teams and engineering consultants with confidence.

Essential Job Functions

Project Management & Execution

Lead design coordination throughout the project lifecycle

Collaborate with architects, engineers, and contractors during the design and pre-construction phases to ensure that customer requirements are integrated into the project

Resolve project issues swiftly and ensure efficient communication between all parties

Act as the primary liaison between internal departments, consultants, and external stakeholders

Support regular project design meetings to track progress and address obstacles

Design Leadership and Coordination

Lead the development, review, and maintenance of design packages and technical documentation

Set and uphold early design baselines to guide consistent execution

Establish project standards and track deviations or change requests

Ensure design compliance with applicable codes, standards, and organizational requirements

Collaborate with internal subject matter experts to maintain and improve design quality and performance

Facilitate value engineering where appropriate without compromising technical standards

Actively track design-related RFIs, design deviations, and change requests on-site, driving timely responses from internal and external SMEs.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication

Coordinate closely with Sales, Construction, Operations, Security, Automation & Controls, and IT teams

Drive clear and concise communication across all project stakeholders to ensure alignment

Cultivate strong client and partner relationships through technical meetings and responsive support

Track and communicate project risks, design changes, and technical updates to leadership

Quality Assurance & Process Improvement

Enforce compliance with quality, safety, and design standards across all phases

Proactively identify risks and implement mitigation strategies

Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including lessons learned and cross-project benchmarking

Support change management processes, including engineering function updates and stakeholder coordination

Additional duties as assigned by Management

Job Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering, or a related field

5-7 years of experience in project and / or design management, with a proven record in construction or infrastructure projects

Working knowledge of technical design coordination, construction execution, and project delivery models

Experience leading internal and external teams, including engineers, contractors, and consultants

Familiarity with local building codes, permitting, and regulatory compliance

Proficiency in project and design software tools such as Procore, MS Project, AutoCAD, or similar

Exceptional communication, leadership, and team-building skills

Ability to handle multiple complex projects simultaneously under tight timelines

Preferred Qualifications

Background in Architecture, Construction, or Project Management

PMP or equivalent project management certification

Experience with design-build or design-bid-build project delivery models

Experience in real estate

Physical Demands and Special Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop or kneel; talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 25 pounds.

Additional Details

Salary Range : $95,000 - $105,000 Base + Bonus (this range is based on Colorado market data and may vary in other locations)

This position is eligible for company benefits including but not limited to medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and AD&D, short and long-term disability coverage, paid time off, employee assistance, participation in a 401k program that includes company match, and many other additional voluntary benefits.

Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including your qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience and may fall outside of the range shown. #LI-AP2 #LI-Remote

We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other's strengths and respecting each other's weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.

Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community.

Don't meet all the requirements? Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values.

Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Vantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers.

We'll be accepting applications for at least one week from the date this role is posted. If you're interested, we encourage you to apply soon-we're excited to find the right person and will keep the role open until we do!