Director, Civil Engineering

Director, Civil Engineering

Job Description

About Takanock

Founded in 2023, Takanock, LLC tackles the data center industry's core challenge of developing shovel-ready data center sites by leveraging decades of experience in site selection, power generation, energy markets and infrastructure. Takanock focuses on Tier I and Tier II markets where demand for data centers is greatest and power constraints are most acute. By bringing our own on-site generation and unlocking grid capacity where others struggle, we accelerate deployment timelines and ensure Continuity of Power℠. Takanock is dedicated to solving the most complex challenges at the intersection of the digital and energy industries.

Takanock is headquartered in Traverse City, Michigan, and through our additional offices in Fulton, Maryland and Austin, Texas (plus a Denver, Colorado office coming in late 2026), we focus on developing data center and power projects across the United States. Our expanding team brings a unique combination of technical expertise, market foresight, and regulatory knowledge. With the backing of a $500 million equity commitment, we are well positioned to support rapid growth through modern, secure, and scalable technology solutions.

Location

This position is open to candidates based in or near any Takanock office location (Traverse City, MI; Fulton, MD; Austin, TX; or Denver, CO) on an in-office or hybrid basis, or working remotely within the United States. The role requires travel of up to 25%.

About the Director, Civil Engineering Role

Takanock is seeking a Director, Civil Engineering to serve as the company's in-house civil engineering subject-matter expert, reporting to the Chief Technology Officer. This is a hands-on role at the front end of our development process: supporting site selection and early site evaluation, performing test fits, and creating and modifying civil site plans for data center and power campuses.

The Director will manage Takanock's civil engineering consultants and assist with development and design management, supporting both active projects and the future sites in our pipeline. This role is well suited to a licensed civil engineer from a national consulting firm, EPC firm, or developer who wants to bring that expertise in-house and see sites through from evaluation to execution.

Essential Functions & Key Responsibilities

Site Selection & Early Site Evaluation

• Support site selection by evaluating prospective sites from a civil engineering perspective and identifying civil-related constraints, risks, and opportunities early in diligence.

• Provide civil engineering input to development teams to inform go/no-go decisions on future sites.

Test Fits & Civil Site Planning

• Perform test fits to assess how planned data center and power facilities can be laid out on prospective and active sites.

• Create and modify civil site plans in AutoCAD, iterating layouts as project requirements evolve.

Consultant Management

• Manage civil engineering consultants, including scoping work, overseeing schedules and deliverables, and reviewing work product for quality and accuracy.

• Serve as Takanock's technical point of contact for civil engineering consultants across multiple sites.

Development & Design Management

• Assist with development and design management across active projects and future sites.

• Collaborate with internal development, engineering, and construction teams to align civil design with project goals and schedules.

• Travel to project sites and consultant or partner locations as needed (up to 25%).

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related field.

• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license.

• 8+ years of civil engineering experience.

• Experience on large commercial or industrial development projects.

• Proficiency in AutoCAD, including the ability to create and modify civil site plans.

• Willingness to perform hands-on technical work, including test fits.

• Ability to travel up to 25%.

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer visa sponsorship, now or in the future.

Experience & Qualifications

• Experience managing civil engineering consultants and their deliverables.

• Experience supporting site selection, site due diligence, or early-stage site evaluation.

• Background at a national civil engineering consulting firm, an EPC firm, or an owner/developer organization.

• Strong communication skills and the ability to translate civil engineering considerations for development and executive stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Data center, mission-critical, or power generation project experience (preferred, not required).

• Owner-side or developer-side experience (preferred, not required).

Compensation & Benefits

The base salary range for this position is $160,000–$235,000 per year, commensurate with experience and includes an annual bonus and additional incentives.

Takanock provides competitive compensation and benefits, including fully paid medical, dental, and vision coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield, a 401(k) plan with company contributions, unlimited PTO, a monthly mobile phone stipend, and company-paid parking.

Next Steps

If interested and qualified, please apply here; qualified applicants will receive a response. Applications will be accepted through November 16, 2026.