DC Design Manager AMER Region, Data Center Engineering

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: DC Design Manager AMER Region, Data Center Engineering Company: Amazon Location: Seattle, Washington, United States Job Type: Full-time Category: Data Center Engineering Operations / Infrastructure Operations Date Posted: 2025-09-17T00:00:00 Experience Level: 10+ Years Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead a team of engineering discipline leads to ensure the delivery of high-quality, standardized data center designs across the Americas region, strictly adhering to schedule and budget parameters.
• Drive design innovation and process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and minimize variability within the data center design lifecycle for the AMER region.
• Manage external design consultants, including procurement, contracting, deliverable oversight, and payment processing, ensuring alignment with AWS global standards.
• Proactively identify and resolve design issues, managing escalations and fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration to achieve optimal project outcomes and maintain a high bar for quality and reliability.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for scaling AWS's data center infrastructure in the Americas. The "Design Manager" title in this context implies a strong focus on operational efficiency, process standardization, and vendor management within a highly technical, infrastructure-focused environment, aligning it closely with operations management principles.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor project teams comprising structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, security, and controls engineers to achieve globally consistent data center designs.
• Influence internal stakeholders and operations teams to adopt and implement program-wide design changes and improvements.
• Manage the complete design development lifecycle, including design change management, permitting processes with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), and implementation support through RFIs and submittals.
• Execute robust project management practices, encompassing critical path schedule management, proactive risk identification and mitigation, quality assurance, and cost control throughout project lifecycles.
• Oversee design consultant performance, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality design packages, managing contractual obligations, and facilitating accurate payment processing.
• Effectively communicate project status, metrics (schedule, cost, quality), and critical updates to AWS leadership and external project partners.
• Develop and implement innovative solutions to minimize contract change orders during the construction phase without compromising quality or reliability.
• Prioritize competing demands and establish clear resolution frameworks for ambiguous situations, ensuring project momentum.
• Drive operational efficiencies by eliminating rework, automating manual processes, standardizing workflows, and minimizing process variability.
• Create and disseminate global best practice documentation, facilitating knowledge sharing across the international design team.
• Motivate teams to achieve exceptional quality standards in a high-growth, deadline-driven environment.
• Conduct site assessments, internal design reviews, and construction progress meetings, requiring up to 25% domestic and potential international travel.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of technical design oversight, rigorous project management, and strategic process improvement, all geared towards the operational delivery of data center capacity. Key operations-focused responsibilities include managing design changes, permitting, construction review, risk management, quality control, and driving standardization and automation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related technical field. An MBA is also considered valuable.

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in the design and development of large-scale Mission Critical facilities.
• A minimum of 6 years of experience in managing staff, consultants, and vendors, demonstrating strong leadership and team oversight capabilities.
• Over 5 years of experience leading sub-consultant teams and managing complex project delivery.

Required Skills:

• Project Management: Proven ability to manage complex projects from conception through implementation, with a strong emphasis on critical path schedule management, risk management, quality management, and cost control.
• Design Development & Management: Deep understanding of the design development process, including design change management, permitting, and construction implementation phases (RFIs, submittals).
• Consultant Management: Expertise in managing external design consultants, including procurement, contracting, deliverable management, and payment processes.
• Stakeholder Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex technical issues to senior leadership and non-technical audiences.
• Problem-Solving & Innovation: Demonstrated ability to identify root causes of design issues, develop innovative solutions, and create robust resolution frameworks for ambiguous situations.
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Ability to identify impacted disciplines and drive cross-functional design decisions to ensure integrated and efficient outcomes.
• Process Improvement: A track record of driving speed, quality, and simplification by eliminating rework, automating manual tasks, and implementing best practices through standardization.

Preferred Skills:

• Professional License: Possession of a Professional Engineering (PE) or Architecture (RA) license.
• Data Center Specific Experience: 3+ years of additional, direct experience in large-scale Data Center facility design, construction, operations, or facility maintenance.
• Business Acumen: Ability to develop basic financial projections and create performance metrics to support business cases.
• Regulatory Negotiation: Direct experience negotiating with regulatory agencies on building code departures and construction change orders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of technical engineering knowledge and robust project and people management skills, which are foundational for effective operations management in infrastructure. The "10+ years" AI experience level likely encompasses the combined years of management and direct design experience.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Project Delivery Case Studies: Detailed case studies showcasing successful delivery of complex technical projects, highlighting your role in managing design, schedule, cost, and quality.
• Process Improvement Examples: Evidence of implementing process improvements, standardization, or automation initiatives that led to measurable gains in efficiency, cost savings, or quality.
• Consultant Management Documentation: Examples of performance management frameworks, contract management processes, or deliverable tracking systems used with external consultants.
• Metrics and Reporting: Samples of performance metrics, dashboards, or reports developed to track project progress, identify risks, and communicate status to stakeholders.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate familiarity with the creation and implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for design development, change management, and consultant oversight.
• Showcase experience in documenting workflow optimization, identifying manual hand-offs for automation, and establishing standardized design protocols.
• Provide examples of how you have measured and analyzed process performance to drive continuous improvement in design delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated, for a role of this nature within Amazon's infrastructure, a portfolio demonstrating structured approaches to project management, process optimization, and vendor management is highly expected. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their methodologies for ensuring quality and efficiency in design delivery.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $128,600 - $212,800 USD per year. This range is dependent on geographic market, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, financial, and other benefits are provided.
• Opportunities for employee development and continuous learning are strongly supported.
• Potential for equity, sign-on payments, and other forms of compensation as part of a total compensation package.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are assumed, likely around 40 hours per week, with potential for extended hours during critical project phases or peak demand periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is typical for a senior engineering management role in a major metropolitan area like Seattle, especially within a tech giant like Amazon. The emphasis on "total compensation" suggests a package that may include stock options or bonuses in addition to base salary.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Cloud Computing / Information Technology Infrastructure / Data Center Services Company Size: Amazon is a global technology giant, employing over 1.5 million people worldwide. This scale offers vast resources, opportunities, and exposure to cutting-edge technologies and operational practices. Founded: 1994. Amazon's history of innovation and customer obsession has driven its growth from an online bookstore to a leader in cloud computing, e-commerce, and digital streaming.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of the AWS Infrastructure Services division, specifically within the global engineering leadership team responsible for data center design.
• The team comprises highly skilled Architects and Engineers across various disciplines (Structural, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Security, Controls).
• This role involves significant cross-functional collaboration with internal stakeholders (operations, procurement) and external engineering resources and regulatory agencies.

Methodology:

• AWS operates with a strong focus on data-driven decision-making, customer obsession, and continuous improvement.
• The design team emphasizes speed to market, reliability, space utilization, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in data center development.
• Processes are designed for scalability, standardization, and automation to support rapid global expansion.

Company Website: https://www.amazon.com, https://aws.amazon.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Amazon's culture is characterized by a fast-paced, innovative, and results-oriented environment. For operations professionals, this means a focus on efficiency, data integrity, and the ability to adapt quickly to evolving business needs and technological advancements.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position represents a senior-level management role within the Data Center Engineering Operations domain. It requires significant experience in managing complex projects, leading technical teams, and influencing strategic design decisions that impact regional infrastructure.

Reporting Structure: The role reports into a higher-level engineering leadership team within AWS Infrastructure Services. It involves direct management of discipline leads and close collaboration with various operational and project management functions.

Operations Impact: The Design Manager directly influences the operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness, reliability, and scalability of AWS's data center infrastructure across the Americas. Their design decisions have a profound impact on the long-term operational performance and customer experience delivered by AWS.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to manage larger teams, broader geographical regions, or take on more strategic oversight of global design standards and innovation initiatives within AWS Infrastructure.
• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of data center design or operations management, potentially leading to specialized roles or advanced technical leadership positions.
• Cross-Functional Mobility: Possibility to move into related operational leadership roles within AWS, such as construction management, infrastructure operations, or program management for large-scale initiatives.
• Continuous Learning: AWS actively supports employee development through internal training, external certifications, and exposure to diverse technical challenges, fostering ongoing skill enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within a rapidly expanding and critical sector of Amazon's business. The emphasis on operational excellence and innovation provides ample opportunities for career advancement and skill development in the infrastructure operations field.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, likely based in a corporate office environment in Seattle, Washington, supporting the AMER region. The workspace is expected to be collaborative and equipped with the necessary tools for engineering and project management.

Office Location(s): The primary location is Seattle, Washington. Travel to other sites within the Americas (potentially including international destinations) is anticipated for site assessments, design meetings, and construction reviews.

Workspace Context:

• The environment fosters collaboration among a diverse team of engineers and project managers, promoting knowledge sharing and problem-solving.
• Access to advanced design software, project management tools, and company-wide collaboration platforms is expected.
• Opportunities for direct interaction with operations teams and other stakeholders to ensure design alignment with operational requirements.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is typical, the demands of managing large-scale projects in a fast-paced environment may require flexibility and occasional extended hours to meet critical deadlines and project milestones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement emphasizes the need for direct team collaboration and hands-on oversight, which is common for critical infrastructure management roles where real-time decision-making and team cohesion are paramount.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely review your resume and potentially conduct a brief phone screen to assess basic qualifications and interest.
• Technical Interviews: Expect multiple rounds of interviews focusing on your technical expertise in data center design, engineering principles, and project management methodologies. These may include problem-solving scenarios and case studies.
• Behavioral Interviews: Assess your leadership style, collaboration skills, ability to manage teams and consultants, handle conflict, and adapt to Amazon's leadership principles. Prepare examples using the STAR method.
• Panel Interviews: You may meet with a panel of peers, cross-functional stakeholders, or senior leaders to evaluate your fit within the team and organization.
• Portfolio Review: Be prepared to present and discuss specific projects from your portfolio, detailing your contributions, the challenges faced, and the solutions implemented, with a focus on process improvements and operational impact.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Operations Impact: Focus on projects where your design or management decisions led to tangible improvements in operational efficiency, cost reduction, reliability, or speed to market.
• Quantify Achievements: Use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your projects. For example, "Reduced design delivery time by 15%" or "Decreased consultant change orders by 10%."
• Showcase Process Excellence: Include examples of process standardization, automation initiatives, or new methodologies you implemented and their outcomes.
• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or responsibility area. For each project, clearly outline the problem, your approach, the actions taken, and the results (PAR or STAR method).
• Demonstrate Consultant Management: Provide examples of how you managed consultant performance, ensured deliverable quality, and navigated contractual aspects.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Scenario: Be ready for hypothetical scenarios where you might need to solve a complex design challenge under pressure, requiring you to think critically about technical feasibility, cost, and schedule.
• Process Improvement Task: Prepare to discuss how you would approach streamlining a specific design or project management process within the data center context.
• Stakeholder Management: Practice articulating how you would gain buy-in for design changes or manage disagreements with internal teams or external partners.

📝 Enhancement Note: Amazon's interview process is known for its rigor and focus on data-driven decision-making and leadership principles. Candidates should prepare thoroughly, focusing on demonstrating quantifiable achievements and a deep understanding of operations management in technical environments.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CAD Software: Proficiency with industry-standard CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit) for reviewing and understanding technical drawings.
• Project Management Software: Experience with project management platforms (e.g., Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, Asana, Jira) for scheduling, resource allocation, and progress tracking.
• Collaboration Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, or Amazon Chime for team communication and collaboration.
• Document Management Systems: Experience with systems for managing design documents, submittals, RFIs, and other project-related paperwork.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Ability to interpret data from various sources, potentially including advanced Excel functions, SQL, or business intelligence tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) for performance analysis.
• Reporting Tools: Experience generating reports on project status, budget adherence, quality metrics, and risk assessments.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how design data integrates with broader business systems (e.g., procurement, financial systems) is beneficial.
• Familiarity with automation concepts in design workflows, document processing, or project reporting.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, a strong command of project management software, CAD tools for review, and data analysis/reporting capabilities are essential for managing complex engineering projects and driving operational efficiency.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Obsession: A core Amazon principle, translating to ensuring data center designs meet the needs of AWS customers for reliability, performance, and scalability.
• Bias for Action: Encourages proactive decision-making and taking initiative to drive projects forward, even in the face of ambiguity.
• Invent and Simplify: Fosters a culture of innovation, seeking out new solutions and simplifying complex processes to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Ownership: Employees are expected to take responsibility for their work and its outcomes, driving projects to completion with a high degree of accountability.
• High Standards: A commitment to setting and maintaining exceptionally high standards for quality, performance, and reliability in all aspects of work.

Collaboration Style:

• Emphasis on cross-functional teamwork, with engineers working closely with operations, construction, procurement, and other stakeholders to ensure holistic project success.
• Open communication and feedback are encouraged to identify and resolve issues collaboratively and drive continuous improvement.
• A culture of knowledge sharing exists, with an expectation that best practices are documented and distributed across teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Amazon's Leadership Principles provides a strong framework for understanding the expected behaviors and cultural norms within the team. Success in this role requires embodying these principles, particularly in driving efficiency, innovation, and accountability.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapid Scaling: Managing design delivery for a rapidly expanding global infrastructure footprint requires constant adaptation and efficient process management.
• Complexity Management: Balancing diverse engineering disciplines, regulatory requirements, and site-specific conditions presents inherent complexity that requires strong leadership and problem-solving skills.
• Stakeholder Alignment: Ensuring all internal and external stakeholders are aligned on design decisions and project goals can be challenging in a large, matrixed organization.
• Driving Innovation: Continuously seeking and implementing innovative solutions to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness in a mature but fast-evolving industry.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Project Management: Opportunities to refine project management skills in a high-stakes environment, dealing with large budgets and complex schedules.
• Industry Best Practices: Exposure to leading-edge data center design and operational practices within AWS, a global leader in cloud infrastructure.
• Leadership Development: Formal and informal opportunities for leadership growth, mentorship, and career advancement within Amazon's extensive internal development programs.
• Technical Specialization: Potential to gain deep expertise in areas such as sustainable design, advanced cooling technologies, or power systems for critical infrastructure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges inherent in this role are significant, but they are directly tied to substantial growth and learning opportunities within a highly innovative and resource-rich organization like Amazon.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Delivery Strategy: "Describe your strategy for ensuring consistent, high-quality data center designs are delivered on time and within budget across a large region like the Americas. How would you manage design changes and mitigate risks?"
• Consultant Management Approach: "How do you select, onboard, and manage external design consultants to ensure they meet your quality and performance expectations? Describe a time you had to address underperformance."
• Process Improvement Initiative: "Walk me through a process you identified for improvement within a project management or design workflow. What steps did you take, what were the results, and what did you learn?"
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: "How do you ensure effective communication and collaboration between design teams, operations teams, and other stakeholders to achieve project objectives? Provide an example."

Company & Culture Questions:

• Leadership Principle Application: "Give an example of a time you demonstrated 'Invent and Simplify' or 'Ownership' in a previous role. How did this impact the project or team?"
• Handling Ambiguity: "Describe a situation where you faced significant ambiguity in project requirements or direction. How did you navigate it to achieve a successful outcome?"
• Team Motivation: "How do you motivate a team of engineers and consultants to achieve high standards of quality, especially under pressure and tight deadlines?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• STAR Method: Structure your project examples using the Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR) method to clearly articulate your contributions and the outcomes.
• Quantify Impact: For each project, highlight measurable results related to schedule adherence, cost savings, quality improvements, or efficiency gains.
• Focus on Operations Alignment: Emphasize how your design decisions or management processes supported operational efficiency, reliability, and scalability.
• Concise and Clear: Be prepared to present key projects within allocated timeframes, focusing on the most relevant aspects of your experience for this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should thoroughly research Amazon's Leadership Principles and prepare specific examples from their experience that demonstrate alignment with these principles. Focusing on quantifiable results and process improvements will be key to a successful interview.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Data Center Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the Amazon Jobs portal via the provided link.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in mission-critical facility design, project management, team leadership, consultant management, and process improvement, using keywords from the job description. Quantify achievements with specific metrics.
• Portfolio Preparation: Compile a concise portfolio showcasing 2-3 key projects demonstrating your expertise in managing complex engineering designs, driving operational efficiency, and achieving project success under demanding conditions.
• Behavioral Interview Practice: Prepare specific examples using the STAR method to answer questions related to Amazon's Leadership Principles, problem-solving, and team management.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with AWS's infrastructure services, data center operations, and commitment to innovation and customer obsession.

⚠️ 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.