Deputy Design Manager, Data Centers - Remote (U.S.)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Deputy Design Manager, Data Centers - Remote (U.S.)

Company: AECOM

Location: Arlington, Virginia (Remote - U.S.)

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Operations (Infrastructure Design & Project Support)

Date Posted: March 3, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote (U.S. based)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is crucial for supporting the successful delivery of complex data center projects, focusing on design coordination and project management within an A/E environment.

• The position requires strong organizational and communication skills to manage documentation, track progress, and facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration for colocation and hyperscale data center facilities.

• Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to grow into a lead Design Manager role, acting as a key point of contact for clients and internal teams.

• This is a remote position within the U.S., offering flexibility while requiring occasional travel for critical project milestones and client engagements.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within the broader operations and project management spectrum, specifically supporting the design and engineering lifecycle of critical infrastructure like data centers. The "Deputy" title suggests a strong mentorship and growth trajectory towards independent project leadership within AECOM's Data Center consulting division.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Support the Design Manager in overseeing daily project coordination and communication across all relevant engineering and architectural disciplines.

• Prepare, distribute, and track meeting agendas, minutes, and action items, with progressive responsibility towards independent ownership of these tasks.

• Accurately capture technical notes during interdisciplinary design meetings and liaise with discipline leads to ensure technical accuracy and alignment.

• Attend client and stakeholder meetings, diligently tracking key decisions, identified risks, and outstanding action items for prompt resolution.

• Proactively assist in tracking, managing, and communicating project changes, including scope adjustments and design modifications, both internally and externally.

• Develop the capacity to serve as backup to the Design Manager, stepping in to lead project coordination and client interactions as needed.

• Coordinate internal and external design team meetings utilizing various virtual collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet.

• Maintain a highly organized system for project documentation, including RFIs, submittals, drawing revisions, and various tracking logs.

• Update and manage project-related spreadsheets, dashboards, trackers, and internal reporting tools to ensure real-time project status visibility.

• Assist with specification edits, data entry, and maintaining up-to-date records within internal reporting systems.

• Proactively identify and suggest process improvements for tracking mechanisms and project management workflows.

• Manage project files across platforms like SharePoint, MS Teams, Google Drive, and Box, ensuring data integrity, accessibility, and version control.

• Ensure the proper preparation, storage, and distribution of Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) sets, daily prints, and final project deliverables.

• Support Design and Project Managers in the development of technical and financial proposals for new data center projects and scope expansions (add, move, change).

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of direct project support and a clear path for career advancement. Emphasis on documentation, coordination, and communication is critical for operations roles in A/E firms, especially in fast-paced sectors like data centers. The expectation to "grow into serving as backup Design Manager" indicates a need for proactive learning and initiative.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree, or equivalent demonstrated experience and/or education.

Experience:

• Minimum 2+ years of experience working within Architecture/Engineering (A/E) firms.

• Preferred: 4 years of relevant experience in design and/or project management.

Required Skills:

• Project Coordination: Proven ability to manage multiple tasks, timelines, and stakeholders in a project environment.

• Documentation Management: Expertise in organizing, tracking, and maintaining project documentation (RFIs, submittals, drawings, specifications).

• Interdisciplinary Communication: Skill in facilitating clear and effective communication between diverse technical teams (architectural, MEP, structural, etc.).

• Technical Acumen: Foundational understanding of data center design principles and the A/E project lifecycle.

• Proficiency in Collaboration Tools: Experience with virtual meeting platforms (Teams, Zoom, Google Meet) and cloud-based file management systems (SharePoint, Google Drive, Box).

Preferred Skills:

• Design Management Support: Experience directly supporting a Design Manager or Project Manager on complex projects.

• Data Center Expertise: Specific knowledge of colocation and hyperscale data center design requirements and operational considerations.

• Professional Licensure: Possession of a Professional Engineer (P.E.) or Architecture License.

• Process Improvement: Ability to identify inefficiencies and propose actionable solutions for project workflows and documentation.

• Client-Facing Experience: Comfort and skill in interacting with clients, presenting information, and managing expectations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement is structured with a clear minimum and a more desirable preferred level, indicating that candidates with 4+ years of experience, especially with data center specific knowledge and licensure, will be highly competitive. The emphasis on "demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education" opens the door for highly skilled individuals without a traditional degree.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Project Coordination Case Studies: Examples demonstrating your ability to manage multiple workstreams, track progress, and ensure timely delivery of project milestones. Highlight instances where you successfully coordinated interdisciplinary teams.

• Documentation Workflow Examples: Showcase your systematic approach to organizing and managing project documentation, including logs for RFIs, submittals, and change orders. Illustrate how you ensure accessibility and version control.

• Process Improvement Initiatives: If possible, include examples where you identified an inefficiency in a project process (e.g., document review, meeting minutes distribution) and implemented a solution that improved speed, accuracy, or clarity.

• System Utilization Examples: Briefly describe how you leveraged project management software, collaboration platforms (SharePoint, Teams), or documentation tools to enhance project execution and communication.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Demonstrate understanding of how design processes flow from initial concept through construction documents, and how to identify bottlenecks or areas for improvement.

• Implementation & Automation: Provide examples of how you've assisted in implementing new workflows or utilizing tools to automate repetitive tasks within a project lifecycle.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Showcase how you track project progress, identify deviations from the plan, and contribute to reporting on project performance metrics.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an operations-focused role like this, a portfolio is crucial. Candidates should focus on demonstrating their organizational capabilities, understanding of project lifecycles, and ability to implement and manage processes. Quantifiable results from process improvements, even small ones, will be highly impactful.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Life insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage.

• Disability benefits (short-term and long-term).

• Generous paid time off (PTO) and various leaves of absence.

• Access to voluntary benefits for additional coverage needs.

• Employee perks and well-being resources to support a healthy work-life balance.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential support.

• Business travel insurance for any required travel.

• Service recognition awards to acknowledge long-term contributions.

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., 401k) with potential company match.

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) allowing participation in company ownership.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work week, typically 40 hours. The remote nature allows for flexibility in structuring the workday, provided all coordination and communication responsibilities are met effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is competitive for a Deputy Design Manager role with 2-5 years of experience in the U.S. market, especially considering the specialized nature of data center projects and the remote work flexibility. The extensive list of benefits indicates AECOM's commitment to employee well-being and long-term engagement.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Infrastructure Consulting (Engineering, Architecture, Design, Program Management). AECOM operates across diverse sectors including Water, Environment, Energy, Transportation, and Buildings & Places, with a significant focus on Data Centers.

Company Size: AECOM is a Fortune 500 company with over 50,000 employees globally, indicating a large, established organization with extensive resources and a wide array of project opportunities.

Founded: AECOM was founded in 1910, signifying a long history of expertise and stability in the infrastructure sector.

Team Structure:

• The role supports the Design Manager within AECOM's Data Center division, likely part of the Buildings & Places business line.

• This team works collaboratively with various disciplines (MEP, structural, architectural, civil) and project management functions.

Methodology:

• AECOM emphasizes a data-driven approach to infrastructure solutions, focusing on delivering measurable impacts for clients.

• Workflow planning and optimization are key, particularly in managing the complex design and delivery phases of large-scale projects like data centers.

• The company encourages the adoption of digital innovation and automation to enhance efficiency and project outcomes.

Company Website: https://www.aecom.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: AECOM's positioning as a global leader in infrastructure consulting implies a culture of professionalism, technical excellence, and a commitment to impactful, long-term projects. The "better world" mission suggests a focus on sustainability and societal benefit. The company culture likely values collaboration, innovation, and employee development, especially within specialized sectors like data centers.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an intermediate-level position, ideal for professionals with foundational experience in A/E project support and a desire to specialize in data center design management. It serves as a stepping stone towards more senior roles.

Reporting Structure: The Deputy Design Manager reports directly to a Design Manager and will work closely with Project Managers and discipline leads within the Data Center division.

Operations Impact: This role directly influences the efficiency, accuracy, and timeliness of data center designs, which are critical for clients' operational success and business continuity. Effective coordination and documentation minimize project risks, cost overruns, and schedule delays, thereby ensuring client satisfaction and AECOM's reputation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deep expertise in colocation and hyperscale data center design, becoming a go-to resource for complex technical challenges.

• Leadership Development: Progress to a full Design Manager role, taking ownership of projects, client relationships, and team leadership. Potential for advancement into senior project management or program management roles.

• Skill Enhancement: Gain exposure to a wide range of project types, client needs, and cutting-edge technologies within the data center industry through AECOM's global project portfolio and extensive training programs.

📝 Enhancement Note: AECOM's emphasis on "championing your growth and career ambitions" and "groundbreaking projects" suggests a supportive environment for career development. The structured growth path from Deputy to Design Manager is a significant draw for ambitious operations professionals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: While primarily remote, AECOM maintains physical office locations. The remote work model for this position allows individuals to work from their home office within the U.S. Periodic travel to AECOM offices or client sites may be required for collaboration and key project milestones.

Office Location(s): AECOM has offices in various locations across the U.S., including Arlington, VA (primary location listed). The remote nature means the employee can be based anywhere within the U.S. where AECOM has a presence.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Despite being remote, the role demands active participation in virtual team meetings, collaborative problem-solving sessions, and continuous communication with colleagues and clients.

• Technology & Tools: Access to AECOM's suite of digital tools for project management, collaboration, and communication is expected. This includes leveraging advanced software for design coordination and document management.

• Team Interaction: Regular virtual touchpoints with the Design Manager, project teams, and other stakeholders are integral to maintaining alignment and fostering a cohesive, albeit distributed, team dynamic.

Work Schedule: The standard 40-hour work week is expected, with flexibility in daily scheduling. However, availability during core business hours for critical meetings and urgent communications is essential for effective operations and project support.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first nature combined with occasional travel aligns with modern work trends, offering work-life balance while ensuring essential face-to-face collaboration for critical project phases. Candidates should be comfortable with both independent work and virtual team engagement.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and application to assess alignment with minimum and preferred qualifications, particularly experience in A/E firms and data centers.

• Technical Interview: Discussion with a hiring manager or senior team member focusing on your project coordination experience, understanding of design processes, and familiarity with data center projects. Expect questions about managing documentation, tracking action items, and communicating with technical teams.

• Portfolio Presentation/Case Study: You may be asked to present specific examples from your portfolio demonstrating your process management, documentation skills, and problem-solving abilities. This could involve walking through a project where you supported design coordination or implemented a process improvement.

• Behavioral & Cultural Fit Interview: Questions designed to assess your communication style, ability to work in a remote team environment, problem-solving approach, and alignment with AECOM's values.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader within the Data Center division to discuss career aspirations and overall fit for the role and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or skill demonstrated (e.g., Coordination, Documentation, Process Improvement).

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, highlight the results of your work. For example, "Implemented a new RFI tracking system that reduced average response time by 15%."

• Highlight Data Center Relevance: If you have data center-specific projects, feature them prominently. Showcase your understanding of the unique demands of these facilities.

• Process Focus: For this role, emphasize your systematic approach to tasks. Show how you ensure accuracy, efficiency, and clear communication in your daily operations.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to discuss your portfolio items clearly and concisely, focusing on your specific contributions and the outcomes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Scenario-Based Questions: Be ready for hypothetical situations related to project coordination challenges, such as managing conflicting priorities between disciplines or handling a critical design change.

• Process Walkthrough: Practice articulating the steps involved in common A/E processes like RFI submission, submittal review, or change order