The Sr. Design Manager, Data Center Master Planning serves as the senior technical authority responsible for early-stage planning, test fits, and long-range campus development strategy for large hyperscale data center campuses. This role translates raw land, zoning envelopes, utility constraints, and market requirements into scalable, buildable, and approvable campus plans that maximize long-term MW yield, phasing flexibility, and capital efficiency.
Operating at the front end of the development lifecycle, role sits at the intersection of Real Estate, Development, Engineering, Utilities, Entitlements, and Construction, ensuring that site plans, master plans, and test fits are technically sound, entitlement-ready, and aligned with downstream design, procurement, and construction realities. The role requires strong technical judgment, deep familiarity with data center MEP systems, and the ability to make and defend high-impact tradeoffs that affect campus’ return on investment.
10+ years of experience in master planning, design, or development, with significant exposure to hyperscale or large-scale data center campus environments.
Demonstrated expertise in space planning and test fits for data centers, including how early layout decisions affect MEP systems, constructability, cost, and phasing.
Strong technical foundation in data center MEP systems, with the ability to translate engineering realities into early-stage planning decisions.
Proven experience supporting site plan approvals and entitlements, including coordination with jurisdictions, planners, and specialty consultants (acoustics, traffic, environmental).
Deep understanding of phasing strategies for multi-building campuses, including utility delivery sequencing, interim conditions, and future-proofing.
Ability to balance technical rigor with commercial and development priorities, making and defending tradeoffs under uncertainty.
Experience managing and directing multi-disciplinary consultant teams through fast-paced, high-stakes early development phases.
Highly organized, process-driven, and comfortable operating in ambiguous, early-stage environments where decisions have long-term consequences.
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, or a related field required; professional registration strongly preferred.
Digital Realty brings companies and data together by delivering the full spectrum of data center, colocation and interconnection solutions. PlatformDIGITAL®, the company’s global data center platform, provides customers with a secure data meeting place and a proven Pervasive Datacenter Architecture (PDx®) solution methodology for powering innovation and efficiently managing Data Gravity challenges. Digital Realty gives its customers access to the connected data communities that matter to them with a global data center footprint of 300+ facilities in 50+ metros across 25+ countries on six continents.
To learn more about Digital Realty, please visit digitalrealty.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter .
Our Operations team keeps our customers’ infrastructure running safely and securely. We get plenty of opportunities to take on a variety of tasks and develop our technical skills. From overseeing electrical power to cooling and fire suppression systems, our team plays a vital role in making sure everything in our data centers operates as it should.
Our rapidly evolving business sector offers the opportunity to be part of a courageous and passionate team who work together to understand and meet the changing needs of our global customers.
Join us and you’ll be part of a supportive and inclusive environment where you can bring your whole self to work. As part of our team, you’ll get to work with people from different business areas, challenge the way we do things and put your ideas into action. We’ll also give you plenty of development opportunities so you can build a rewarding and successful career with us.
Apply today, take charge of your career and grow your talents with us.
Health and Safety
Safety isn't just a priority here at Digital; it's critical to everything we do. Safeguarding lives, protecting assets, and securing data aren't just ideals - they're essential pillars of our commitment to excellence for our people, our partners and our customers. We have a culture of care where every member of Team Digital embraces a relentless pursuit of working safely across Digital Realty. Together we are Safely Powering Progress.
Benefits: For this role, Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, 401k match, disability benefits, wellness and education benefits, employee stock purchase plan, paid time off, holidays, and more.
Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Structural, Architectural, Mechanical, Electrical, Public Health Engineering, or Construction Management
Ideally Chartered in a relevant discipline
Minimum 7-10 years’ data Center design experience, preferably in a multi-disciplinary or owner-operator context
Experience with large developments and multi-project delivery
Familiarity with change control, gating processes, and commercial/contractual obligations
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