Senior Architect

Role overview

Design and coordination responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end architectural design and planning for data centre facilities.
• Develop conceptual, schematic, detailed, and construction-ready designs for greenfield and brownfield projects.
• Integrate architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, and ICT requirements with engineering teams.
• Ensure designs meet operational, scalability, sustainability, and reliability objectives.
• Develop layouts for white space, technical rooms, support facilities, and ancillary infrastructure.
• Apply Tier III and Tier IV design principles and industry best practices.
• Ensure compliance with local building regulations, fire and life safety codes, and data centre standards.
• Coordinate with clients, consultants, contractors, and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
• Conduct design reviews, feasibility studies, and space utilization assessments.
• Support site selection, due diligence, and capacity planning.
• Review and approve architectural drawings, technical specifications, and design documentation.
• Drive sustainability initiatives, manage design risks, support commissioning and handover, and stay current with industry developments.

Qualifications and experience

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in architecture or a related discipline.
• Registered Architect status or equivalent professional qualification is preferred.
• 10+ years of architectural design experience, including significant data centre project experience.
• Experience designing hyperscale, colocation, enterprise, or mission-critical data centre facilities.

Technical knowledge and tools

• Strong knowledge of data centre planning and design, Tier III and Tier IV standards, building codes, fire and life safety, sustainable design, space planning, and capacity management.
• BIM and 3D modelling skills; proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks, BIM 360, and other architectural design software.
• Knowledge of Uptime Institute, TIA-942, ASHRAE, NFPA, and related standards.
• Strong understanding of data centre operations and resilience strategies.

Professional capabilities

• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams and managing complex projects.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication, presentation, analytical, problem-solving, and project management capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in fast-paced environments.

Rewards and benefits

• Benefits include life and medical insurance, annual leave, a company gratuity scheme, discretionary bonus, annual flight contribution, and transportation and housing allowances.
• The employer also lists a tax-free salary and a wellbeing programme with access to specialists in finance, legal matters, family care, health, fitness, and nutrition.

About AtkinsRéalis