Global Electrical Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Global Electrical Design Manager

Company: Volta

Location: United States, United Kingdom, European Union

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Engineering / Infrastructure Operations

Date Posted: 2026-07-28

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the development and governance of electrical reference designs for a global AI infrastructure platform, ensuring standardization and scalability across all deployments.

• Oversee the application of electrical designs from utility intake and medium-voltage distribution through to the rack, ensuring compliance with fleet standards and high-density power requirements.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including procurement and project design leads, to specify equipment, manage deviations, and integrate operational feedback into design improvements.

• Drive electrical design assurance for data center projects, focusing on reliability, buildability, and readiness for advanced AI hardware like NVIDIA Vera.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within the core engineering and infrastructure operations of Volta, a company focused on building the foundational compute infrastructure for AI. The "Global Electrical Design Manager" title, combined with the responsibilities, indicates a strategic leadership position focused on standardizing and scaling electrical design for a fleet of data centers, rather than a project-specific design role. The emphasis on "reference designs" and "governance" points to a strong need for process optimization and a systematic approach to electrical infrastructure management.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own and maintain the comprehensive electrical reference designs that serve as the standard for all Volta data center projects globally.

• Establish and enforce strict governance protocols for the application of these reference designs, managing any necessary deviations with a rigorous, documented process.

• Provide end-to-end electrical design assurance, covering all aspects from utility power intake and medium-voltage (MV) distribution to low-voltage (LV) distribution and rack-level power delivery.

• Critically review and approve electrical design deliverables submitted by external consultants and contractors, ensuring they align with Volta's fleet standards and performance requirements.

• Support strategic power architecture decisions to meet the significant power demands of high-density AI compute deployments, specifically mentioning NVIDIA Vera.

• Partner closely with the procurement team to define specifications for critical, long-lead electrical equipment, ensuring timely acquisition and quality.

• Actively integrate lessons learned from commissioning and operational phases back into the electrical reference designs, fostering a continuous improvement loop.

• Mentor and coach project design leads, providing guidance on electrical standards, best practices, and compliance requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on standardization, governance, and continuous improvement within electrical infrastructure design. The role requires not just technical expertise but also the ability to manage and enforce standards across a distributed, global team and project portfolio. The mention of "NVIDIA Vera" indicates a need for understanding cutting-edge, high-density power requirements in AI data centers.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Engineering, or a related technical field. A Master's degree may be preferred for advanced theoretical understanding and research capabilities. Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in electrical design, with a significant portion dedicated to data center electrical infrastructure. This includes demonstrated experience in managing design standards and processes across multiple projects or a fleet. Required Skills:

• Data Center Electrical Design Expertise: Proven track record in designing and managing electrical systems specifically for data center environments.

• Medium-Voltage (MV) and Low-Voltage (LV) Distribution: Deep understanding of MV and LV power distribution systems, including switchgear, transformers, cabling, and protection schemes.

• Standby Generation and UPS Systems: Comprehensive knowledge of emergency power systems, including generators, automatic transfer switches (ATS), and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems, and their integration.

• Design Governance and Standards Management: Demonstrated ability to establish, govern, and enforce design standards and reference architectures across a portfolio of projects.

• Design Review and Assurance: Experience in meticulously reviewing consultant and contractor electrical design deliverables, ensuring compliance, quality, and adherence to specifications.

• High-Density Compute Power Requirements: Familiarity with the unique and demanding power requirements associated with high-density computing environments, such as those used for AI/ML workloads.

• Global Project Exposure: Comfort and experience working on projects located in different regions, particularly Europe and the United States, understanding varying codes, standards, and logistical challenges.

Preferred Skills:

• Power Architecture for AI: Specific experience in designing power architectures tailored for AI/ML workloads and high-performance computing (HPC).

• NVIDIA Vera Integration: Familiarity with the power specifications and integration challenges of specific high-density compute hardware like NVIDIA Vera.

• Procurement Specification Development: Experience in developing detailed technical specifications for procurement of critical electrical equipment.

• Commissioning and Operations Feedback Loop: Experience in translating operational feedback and commissioning results into actionable design improvements.

• Project Management Fundamentals: Solid understanding of project management principles as they apply to design phases and stakeholder coordination.

• Knowledge of EU and US Electrical Codes & Standards: In-depth understanding of relevant electrical codes and standards (e.g., NEC, IEC, local utility requirements) in both regions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize a blend of deep technical expertise in data center electrical systems and strong process/governance capabilities. The "10+ years" experience level, combined with the title, suggests this individual will be a subject matter expert and a key influencer in Volta's infrastructure strategy. The specific mention of "NVIDIA Vera" is a critical detail indicating the need for knowledge in cutting-edge, high-density AI compute power requirements.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Governance Framework: Showcase examples of how you have established or managed design governance processes, including documentation of standards, deviation management, and review workflows.

• Reference Design Development: Present case studies or examples of electrical reference designs you have developed or significantly contributed to, highlighting their scope and impact on standardization.

• Fleet-Wide Design Application: Provide evidence of successfully applying standardized electrical designs across multiple projects or a fleet, demonstrating consistency and efficiency gains.

• Technical Specification Examples: Include samples of technical specifications for key electrical equipment (e.g., switchgear, UPS, generators) that demonstrate attention to detail and procurement readiness.

Process Documentation:

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Design Review: Documented procedures for reviewing consultant and contractor electrical deliverables, outlining checklists, approval criteria, and issue resolution steps.

• Deviation Approval Workflow: A clear, documented process for managing and approving deviations from established electrical reference designs, including risk assessment and mitigation strategies.

• Feedback Integration Process: A system or methodology for capturing operational feedback from commissioning and ongoing operations, and systematically integrating it back into the design process and reference documentation.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration Protocols: Established protocols for collaborating with procurement, project management, and site operations teams on electrical design matters, ensuring clear communication and alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on governance and standardization of designs across a fleet, a strong portfolio demonstrating process management and documentation is crucial. Candidates should be prepared to showcase not just technical designs but the systems and processes they used to ensure consistency, quality, and continuous improvement across multiple projects.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for a Global Electrical Design Manager with 10+ years of experience in the data center and high-density compute sector, and considering the company's funding and growth stage, the estimated salary range is $235,000 - $315,000 USD per year. This estimate accounts for the strategic nature of the role, global responsibility, and the specialized technical expertise required. The exact compensation will be determined by the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and location. Benefits:

• Competitive Salary: A strong base salary benchmarked against industry standards for similar roles.

• Equity in Volta: Opportunity to own a stake in the company's long-term success and growth, aligning personal incentives with company performance.

• Retirement/Pension Contributions: Contributions towards retirement savings plans, varying by region to comply with local regulations.

• Comprehensive Health, Wellbeing, and Insurance Benefits: Robust health insurance coverage, alongside programs focused on employee wellbeing and various insurance benefits to support employees and their families.

• Generous Vacation Days: A substantial annual allowance for paid time off, encouraging work-life balance and personal rejuvenation.

Working Hours:

• The standard working hours are estimated to be 40 hours per week. Given the global nature of the role and the need to coordinate across different time zones (e.g., US and Europe), some flexibility in working hours may be required to facilitate meetings and critical communications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is derived from industry data for senior engineering management roles in the tech infrastructure sector, particularly in areas like data centers and AI compute, with a global scope. The provided AI salary range of $235k-$315k aligns with this assessment. The benefits listed are standard for a well-funded, growth-stage tech company.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: AI Infrastructure Platform / Compute Utility. Volta is operating at the forefront of the AI revolution, providing the foundational compute power as a utility. This implies a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment with a strong focus on cutting-edge technology and scalability.

Company Size: 100+ employees, with rapid growth expectations to hundreds. This indicates a dynamic, scaling organization where processes are being established and refined. Roles at this stage often offer significant impact and the opportunity to shape operational frameworks.

Founded: Launched with substantial strategic partnerships and funding, implying a well-capitalized and ambitious startup environment.

Team Structure:

• Design and Engineering Function: The Global Electrical Design Manager sits within this function, likely reporting to a VP of Engineering or Head of Infrastructure Design.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Close collaboration is expected with procurement, project delivery teams, commissioning engineers, and operations personnel across different geographies.

• Global Teams: Operates across multiple time zones (London, Palo Alto, New York), requiring strong remote collaboration and communication skills.

Methodology:

• Vertical Integration: Volta is building a vertically integrated platform, suggesting a cohesive approach to infrastructure development and management.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: As an AI infrastructure provider, a strong emphasis on data, performance metrics, and operational efficiency is implied.

• Scalability and Standardization: The core mission ("The Utility of Compute™") underscores a commitment to scalable, reliable, and standardized infrastructure solutions.

Company Website: https://volta.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Volta's positioning as a vertically integrated AI infrastructure platform suggests a highly technical and ambitious culture. The emphasis on "The Utility of Compute™" highlights a focus on reliability, scale, and operational excellence. The growth stage implies a need for individuals who can build and optimize processes, not just execute existing ones.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a senior-level, individual contributor leadership position within the infrastructure engineering domain. It carries global responsibility for a critical aspect of the company's physical infrastructure. It's a key subject matter expert role that can lead to broader infrastructure architecture or management positions.

Reporting Structure: The role reports into the Design and Engineering function, likely a Director or VP level. The manager will be responsible for influencing design decisions across all global projects and potentially coaching junior engineers or design leads on electrical best practices.

Operations Impact: The Global Electrical Design Manager directly impacts Volta's ability to reliably and cost-effectively deploy and scale its AI compute infrastructure. Their work ensures the fundamental power systems are robust, efficient, and capable of meeting the demands of cutting-edge AI hardware, directly influencing service availability, operational costs, and expansion capacity.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in high-density AI compute power, grid integration, and advanced power system technologies.

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to grow into a role overseeing broader electrical engineering or infrastructure design functions, managing larger teams and budgets.

• Strategic Influence: Contribute significantly to the company's long-term infrastructure strategy, technology selection, and vendor partnerships.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Opportunities to lead initiatives that bridge electrical design with procurement, operations, and site selection.

📝 Enhancement Note: This is a pivotal role for an experienced engineer who wants to shape the infrastructure of a rapidly growing AI company. The growth path is likely towards greater strategic influence and leadership within the infrastructure domain, rather than purely people management, though that is also a possibility.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Remote-first with potential for hybrid arrangements in key office locations (London, Palo Alto, New York). This indicates a reliance on digital collaboration tools and asynchronous communication.

Office Location(s): While remote, the company has established hubs in London, Palo Alto, and New York, which may offer optional co-working spaces or serve as meeting points for in-person collaboration when needed.

Workspace Context:

• Digital Collaboration: Expect extensive use of tools like Slack, Zoom, Google Workspace, and project management software for communication and workflow management.

• Access to Tools: Will require robust access to design software (CAD, simulation tools), documentation platforms, and potentially remote access to company networks or systems.

• Global Interaction: Opportunities to collaborate with a diverse, international team of engineers, project managers, and operations specialists.

Work Schedule:

• Standard 40-hour work week, but with inherent flexibility required to accommodate global team meetings and urgent operational issues that may arise across different time zones. This means some early morning or late evening calls may be necessary.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first nature of this role necessitates strong self-discipline, excellent communication skills, and proficiency with remote collaboration technologies. While flexibility is offered, the global scope implies a need to be responsive across different time zones.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into your experience, particularly your data center electrical design expertise, governance capabilities, and understanding of high-density compute power. This will likely involve discussing past projects and challenges.

• Technical Deep Dive/Panel Interview: A session with engineering peers and potentially senior leadership to assess technical depth in MV/LV distribution, UPS, generation, and power architecture for AI. Expect scenario-based questions and problem-solving exercises.

• Portfolio Presentation: You will likely be asked to present a selection of your work, focusing on how you've managed design standards, reviewed designs, or addressed complex electrical challenges in data center environments.

• Final Interview: A conversation with senior leadership to discuss strategic vision, alignment with Volta's mission, and overall fit for the role and company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Governance and Standardization: Highlight examples where you've successfully implemented or managed design standards, governed their application, and managed deviations. This is a core aspect of the role.

• Showcase Design Assurance: Present case studies demonstrating your ability to review and assure complex electrical designs from consultants and contractors. Quantify the impact where possible (e.g., identified X number of critical issues, reduced rework by Y%).

• Illustrate High-Density Power Solutions: If possible, include examples or discussions around power solutions for high-density compute environments, explaining the challenges and your approach.

• Demonstrate Process Improvement: Show how you've used operational feedback or commissioning results to refine and improve electrical designs and standards.

• Clarity and Conciseness: Organize your portfolio logically, focusing on the most relevant projects and clearly articulating your role, the challenges, your solutions, and the outcomes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Scenario-Based Design Problems: Be prepared for hypothetical scenarios related to utility failures, power capacity planning for new AI hardware, or troubleshooting complex distribution issues.

• Code and Standard Interpretation: Practice discussing how you would interpret and apply relevant electrical codes (NEC, IEC) and utility requirements in different regions.

• Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Be ready to discuss how you would assess risks associated with design choices or deviations and propose mitigation strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "governance," "reference designs," and "assurance" means candidates must demonstrate not only technical skill but also a structured, process-oriented approach to managing electrical design across a large-scale operation. The portfolio should reflect this.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Electrical Design Software: Proficiency with industry-standard CAD software such as AutoCAD Electrical, Revit MEP, or similar for electrical schematic and layout design.

• Power System Analysis Tools: Experience with software for load flow analysis, short-circuit calculations, and protection coordination studies (e.g., ETAP, SKM PowerTools, PSS/E).

• Documentation & Collaboration Platforms: Advanced proficiency with tools like Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides), Microsoft Office Suite, Confluence, or similar for documentation, reporting, and collaborative content creation.

• Project Management Software: Familiarity with project management tools such as Asana, Jira, or Monday.com for tracking design tasks, progress, and interdependencies.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Ability to analyze electrical performance data, power consumption metrics, and failure rates to inform design improvements. Proficiency with Excel for data analysis is essential; familiarity with more advanced tools like Python (for scripting/analysis) or BI tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) would be beneficial.

• Reporting Dashboards: Experience in creating and interpreting dashboards that visualize key electrical system performance indicators and compliance status.

CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM/Automation tools are implied for this specific role, as it is primarily an engineering and design governance position. However, understanding how electrical infrastructure data integrates with broader enterprise systems (e.g., asset management, procurement platforms) would be advantageous.

• Procurement Systems: Familiarity with procurement workflows and systems for specifying and acquiring long-lead electrical equipment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools listed are typical for senior electrical engineers in infrastructure roles, with a strong emphasis on design, analysis, and documentation. The role requires a solid foundation in core electrical engineering software and a demonstrated ability to leverage data for decision-making.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Execution: A commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable, and efficient electrical designs that form the backbone of Volta's AI infrastructure.

• Standardization and Scalability: A belief in the power of well-defined standards and repeatable processes to enable rapid, consistent global growth.

• Data-Driven Improvement: A dedication to using data from operations and commissioning to continuously refine and enhance electrical designs and practices.

• Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages open communication, sharing of best practices, and mutual support across global teams.

• Innovation and Future-Proofing: A forward-thinking approach to electrical design, anticipating future power demands and technological advancements in AI compute.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Works closely with procurement, project managers, site operations, and potentially software/hardware engineering teams to ensure electrical designs meet all project and operational requirements.

• Proactive Communication: Engages proactively with stakeholders to clarify requirements, resolve issues, and ensure alignment on design decisions.

• Mentorship and Guidance: Willingness to share expertise and mentor junior engineers or design leads, fostering a culture of learning and development within the engineering team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission and growth stage suggest a culture that values both technical rigor and the ability to adapt and build in a rapidly evolving environment. A collaborative and proactive approach will be key to success in this global, remote role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling Global Infrastructure: Ensuring electrical designs can be consistently applied and built across diverse geographical locations with varying regulations, supply chains, and site conditions.

• Meeting Extreme Power Demands: Keeping pace with the rapidly increasing power density requirements of advanced AI hardware like NVIDIA Vera, which can strain traditional data center electrical designs.

• Long-Lead Equipment Procurement: Managing the procurement of critical, long-lead electrical equipment in a potentially volatile global supply chain environment.

• Balancing Standardization with Project Needs: Governing design standards effectively while allowing for necessary project-specific adaptations and optimizations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced AI Compute Power: Gaining deep expertise in the specific power challenges and solutions for cutting-edge AI hardware.

• Global Infrastructure Project Management: Developing skills in managing complex infrastructure projects across international borders.

• Strategic Infrastructure Planning: Contributing to the long-term vision and roadmap for Volta's AI compute infrastructure.

• Leadership in a Scaling Organization: Honing leadership and process-building skills within a fast-growing tech company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to building and scaling a global, cutting-edge infrastructure platform. Volta offers significant opportunities for professional growth by tackling these complex issues.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach developing and implementing a global electrical reference design standard for a fleet of data centers?" - Prepare to discuss your methodology for defining standards, creating documentation, and rolling them out across different regions.

• "Describe a time you had to govern design standards across multiple projects. What were the challenges, and how did you ensure compliance and manage deviations effectively?" - Focus on your process, communication strategies, and conflict resolution skills.

• "How do you stay current with the evolving power requirements of high-density compute, such as those for AI/ML workloads?" - Highlight your methods for research, industry engagement, and knowledge dissemination. Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Volta's mission to provide 'The Utility of Compute™'?" - Research Volta's mission, funding, and leadership. Connect your passion for infrastructure to their vision.

• "How do you see your role contributing to Volta's rapid growth and scaling objectives?" - Emphasize your ability to build and optimize processes that support scalability.

• "Describe your experience working in a global, remote team environment." - Share examples of effective communication, collaboration, and time management across time zones. Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation around key themes like "Design Governance," "Technical Assurance," and "Process Improvement."

• Case Studies: Select 2-3 strong case studies that best illustrate your experience in the core responsibilities of the role. For each, clearly state the objective, your role, the challenge, your solution, and the measurable outcome.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the value of your work (e.g., "Reduced design review time by 15%," "Ensured 100% compliance with new safety standards").

• Focus on Process: For this role, show not just the technical designs but the processes you used to manage, review, and improve them.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating both deep technical expertise in electrical design and strong process-oriented, governance-focused leadership skills, particularly in the context of scaling a global infrastructure.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Global Electrical Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight your 10+ years of experience in data center electrical design, specifically mentioning MV/LV distribution, standby generation, UPS systems, and any experience with high-density compute power. Emphasize your background in design governance and managing standards across multiple projects or a fleet.

• Prepare your portfolio: Curate examples of electrical reference designs, design review processes, and any instances where you managed design standards or dealt with high-density power requirements. Focus on demonstrating your process management and governance capabilities.

• Research Volta: Understand their mission, "The Utility of Compute™," their funding, and their focus on AI infrastructure. Prepare to articulate how your skills align with their ambitious goals and rapid growth.

• Practice your presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio, focusing on clear communication of your role, challenges, solutions, and quantifiable outcomes, especially concerning design governance and standardization.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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