About the job

Our thirst for technology is a part of everything we do. The Data Center Engineering team takes the physical design of our data centers into the future. Our lab mirrors a research and development department -- cutting-edge strategies are born, tested and tested again. Along with a team of great minds, you take on complex topics like how we use power or how to run state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly facilities. You're a visionary who optimizes for efficiencies and never stops seeking improvements -- even small changes that can make a huge impact. You generate ideas, communicate recommendations to senior-level executives and drive implementation alongside facilities technicians.

With your technical expertise, you ensure compliance with codes and standards, develop infrastructure improvements and serve as an expert in your specialty (e.g., cooling, electrical).

As an Architectural Design Lead, you will drive the development of next-generation data center infrastructure by merging expertise in building codes and fire/life safety with the 3D modeling. Working alongside the engineers, you ensure the architectural direction is integrated into broader system designs. Your focus extends beyond aesthetics to the rationalization of space planning and material circulation, ensuring every square foot is optimized for performance and safety.

A strategist and effective communicator, you will distill technical concepts into insights across digital mediums and global platforms. With excellent time management, you will navigate changing priorities and international deadlines to maintain the integrity of the architectural scope. By bridging the gap between product-level details and top-level assembly, you ensure the execution of technical designs and the success of the facility's infrastructure.

The AI and Infrastructure team is redefining what’s possible. We empower Google customers with breakthrough capabilities and insights by delivering AI and Infrastructure at unparalleled scale, efficiency, reliability and velocity. Our customers include Googlers, Google Cloud customers, and billions of Google users worldwide.

We're the driving force behind Google's groundbreaking innovations, empowering the development of our cutting-edge AI models, delivering unparalleled computing power to global services, and providing the essential platforms that enable developers to build the future. From software to hardware our teams are shaping the future of world-leading hyperscale computing, with key teams working on the development of our TPUs, Vertex AI for Google Cloud, Google Global Networking, Data Center operations, systems research, and much more.

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $122,000-$174,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits. Learn more about benefits at Google.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering and security teams to lead product development and assembly integration for architectural scopes.

• Rationalize requirements with internal operations and engineering teams to define and optimize next-generation data center designs.

• Conduct internal and external design reviews to validate building code compliance, space planning, people/material circulation, and headcount modeling.

• Review construction-level drawings and specifications from internal and external vendors to ensure alignment with architectural program standards.

• Serve as the primary escalation point for site localization, using engineering judgment to adapt canonical designs to meet specific local requirements and operational feedback.

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Civil Engineering, or Structural Engineering or equivalent practical experience.

Preferred qualifications

• Master's degree in Chartered engineering, Civil engineering, Structural engineering or a related field.

• 4 years of experience as a Licensed Architect with National Council of Architectural Registration Boards certification (NCARB).

• 4 years of experience as a key contributor to multi-phased projects within architecture, engineering, or construction firms.

• Experience working with Autodesk Revit, Autodesk AutoCAD, and Autodesk Construction Cloud for architectural design, life safety coordination, and project review.

• Experience managing external Architecture and Engineering vendors for data center design while utilizing Python and Dynamo to automate the design tasks.