Data Center Architect

Job Title: Data Center Architect Job Description This role focuses on leading and supporting data center and industrial projects from design through construction administration, with a strong emphasis on project management, technical architectural production, and consultant coordination. You will drive projects forward, manage schedules and deliverables, and stay actively engaged through construction to ensure high‑quality, mission‑critical facilities are delivered successfully. The position is ideal for an architect who enjoys detailed technical work, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and taking ownership of projects and client interactions. Responsibilities Support and manage architectural projects through all phases, with particular emphasis on construction document coordination, permitting, and construction administration. Track and manage project schedules, milestones, consultant deliverables, and issue resolution from design through project closeout. Serve as the day‑to‑day point of contact for consultants and internal team members, ensuring clear communication and coordinated execution. Support client communication by organizing meetings, preparing materials, and following up on action items during design and construction. Actively participate in the construction administration phase, including submittal and shop drawing review to confirm compliance with design intent. Review and respond to RFIs, providing clear, timely guidance to contractors and consultants. Conduct field observations, document site conditions, and track issues to resolution, maintaining accurate records throughout construction. Coordinate with MEP consultants and contractors to resolve construction conflicts and support mission‑critical infrastructure integration. Assist with the preparation of ASIs and bulletins, documenting design changes and clarifications during construction. Produce and coordinate base‑building architectural documents in Revit, ensuring accuracy and constructability. Interpret redlines and independently update construction document sets with a strong understanding of building systems and construction methods. Assist with site surveys, survey input, space planning, and test fits for data center, industrial, and commercial projects. Support code compliance and ADA coordination, with training and mentorship available to deepen your expertise. Assist with area calculations, including USF, RSF, and core factors, and help validate program requirements against design solutions. Assemble complete drawing sets and issue packages at each project phase, ensuring documentation is thorough and coordinated. Provide light coordination with MEP consultants, particularly related to data center planning and infrastructure interfaces. Support industrial and data center planning by developing architectural layouts tied to technical and infrastructure constraints. Coordinate architectural scope within complex mission‑critical project environments, maintaining a high level of accuracy and redundancy. Apply a strong understanding of the accuracy, redundancy, and coordination required for successful data center delivery. Coordinate with architectural product representatives and maintain architectural resources such as Revit families, CAD blocks, 3D libraries, and material libraries. Contribute to presentations, renderings, colored elevations, and interview materials to support business development and client engagement. Attend select client meetings or interviews based on your interest and communication style, representing the firm professionally. Work closely with technical architects and interior designers to deliver data centers, industrial facilities, tenant interiors, and capital improvement projects, including exteriors, lobbies, and amenity upgrades. Demonstrate an organized, proactive, and detail‑oriented approach to project delivery, consistently meeting project goals and quality standards. Essential Skills 5–10 years of professional architecture experience, with a focus on technical project delivery. Experience or strong interest in data center, mission‑critical, or industrial projects, with data center experience required. Proficiency in Revit and construction document production, including drafting, construction drawings, design development, schematic design, and construction documentation. Demonstrated experience managing projects through construction administration, including submittal and RFI review and field observation. Experience with base‑building architecture in industrial or commercial environments. Comfort coordinating consultants and tracking issues during construction, particularly with MEP disciplines. Ability to interface directly with clients, with a professional, client‑facing communication style. Organized, proactive, and detail‑oriented approach to project management and technical execution. Basic understanding of building codes and ADA requirements. Bachelor’s degree in architecture (BS in Architecture preferred). Additional Skills & Qualifications Experience in mission‑critical environments and industrial projects, including data centers and capital improvement work. Background in commercial architecture, tenant interiors, and building envelope or lobby renovations. Experience using Revit Architecture and familiarity with importing and exporting files between Revit and other platforms. Interest in client‑facing responsibilities, including presenting in meetings and interviews. Ability to collaborate closely with partners, technical architects, and interior designers while gradually taking ownership of projects. Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to clients and team members. Interest in learning more about codes, ADA coordination, and mission‑critical infrastructure through mentorship and on‑the‑job training. Work Environment This role is based in a flexible, collaborative architectural practice in the Northern Virginia and Reston area, with a culture that values technical excellence, project ownership, and close teamwork. The firm is a small to midsize group with a strong focus on data center and mission‑critical work, as well as industrial projects, tenant interiors, and capital improvements such as exteriors, lobby upgrades, and amenity enhancements. The environment is well suited to professionals who enjoy detailed technical work and putting buildings together, while also developing their client‑facing skills. The firm offers a flexible in‑office schedule and is open to team members who prefer to work in the office 1–2 days per week, subject to performance and project needs. Each employee receives a MacBook Pro and iPad, working primarily on a Mac‑based Vectorworks platform that integrates seamlessly across devices and supports importing and exporting a wide range of file types, including Revit and AutoCAD. The IOS‑based hardware environment is designed for reliability, with fewer crashes, data issues, and lost files, and leadership is open to discussing why this platform supports their project delivery approach. The company culture is inviting and supportive, with opportunities to work closely with partners and senior team members on a variety of project types and to grow into running your own projects. The firm is planning a move within the Reston area to an office with more amenities, further enhancing the day‑to‑day work experience. The position includes a generous paid time off policy, with 28 days of PTO provided at the start to cover vacation, sick time, and holidays, allowing employees to observe and celebrate the occasions that matter most to them. Dress code is professional but not overly formal, reflecting a balanced, modern studio environment focused on high‑quality technical work and strong client service. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Reston, VA. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $72.11/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully remote position. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 2026. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options. San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.