Design Manager_Construction & Deployment

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager, Construction & Deployment

Company: Firmus Technologies

Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia (or Launceston, Tasmania)

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Construction & Deployment Operations / Engineering Management

Date Posted: March 22, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years (with 3+ years in management)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design and documentation process for cutting-edge AI data center and critical infrastructure projects.

• Bridge the gap between conceptual design, detailed engineering, and on-site implementation, ensuring seamless project delivery.

• Drive efficiency and innovation in data center design, focusing on sustainable, energy-efficient AI infrastructure.

• Collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams including construction, deployment, operations, and technology to meet stringent project requirements and timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is crucial for Firmus Technologies' mission to build energy-efficient AI infrastructure. The "Design Manager, Construction & Deployment" title implies a strong operational focus on translating engineering designs into tangible, functional data center facilities, with an emphasis on project execution and stakeholder alignment rather than pure conceptual design. The integration of AI compute and sustainability makes this a specialized and forward-thinking operations role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design Leadership & Management:

  • Spearhead the design process for data center and critical infrastructure projects, encompassing structural, civil, power, cooling, networking, cabling, life safety, and security systems.
  • Oversee the development and meticulous review of all design documentation, including drawings, schematics, and detailed technical specifications.
  • Ensure strict adherence to all local and national building codes, relevant industry standards (e.g., ASHRAE, TIA, Uptime Institute), and Firmus Technologies’ internal design guidelines and best practices.
  • Manage and coordinate external consultants, vendors, and specialized contractors to ensure timely and high-quality design deliverables.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Integration:

  • Forge strong partnerships with Construction and Deployment teams to guarantee that designs are practical, constructible, cost-effective, and aligned with aggressive project schedules.
  • Work hand-in-hand with Operations teams to ensure designs meet critical operational, maintainability, reliability, and scalability requirements for AI workloads.
  • Liaise with the Technology Team to stay abreast of the latest advancements in compute systems, hardware, and AI technologies, integrating this knowledge into design strategies.
  • Provide essential technical input and expertise during the procurement process, vendor selection, and contract evaluation phases for design-related services and equipment.

• Project Oversight & Quality Assurance:

  • Conduct thorough reviews and formal approvals of design submissions from both internal engineering teams and external partners, ensuring quality and compliance.
  • Lead comprehensive design risk assessments and value engineering exercises to systematically optimize cost, performance, energy efficiency, and overall project value.
  • Implement and manage a robust change control process, ensuring all design modifications are meticulously documented, effectively communicated, and formally approved before implementation.

• Team Development & Reporting:

  • Mentor, coach, and guide junior design engineers and project coordinators, fostering their professional development and technical skills.

  • Prepare and deliver regular, clear, and concise progress reports on design activities, challenges, and achievements to the Head of Construction & Deployment.

  • Actively support and champion continuous improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing design workflows, adopting new tools, and refining internal design standards and methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of technical design leadership and hands-on project execution management. The emphasis on "buildable, practical, and aligned with project timelines" and "meet operational, maintainability, and reliability requirements" points to a need for an operations-minded leader who understands the lifecycle of infrastructure beyond the blueprint. Direct input into procurement and vendor selection indicates a significant influence on operational readiness and cost management.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in the design and engineering of data centers or other critical infrastructure facilities.

• At least 3 years of direct experience in a management or team leadership role within a design or engineering function.

Required Skills:

• Design Leadership & Management: Proven ability to lead and manage multi-disciplinary design teams and complex engineering projects from conception to completion.

• Data Centre & Critical Infrastructure Design: Deep understanding of the principles and practices involved in designing high-availability data centers, including power distribution, cooling systems (liquid and air), network infrastructure, and physical security.

• Technical Documentation & Specifications: Expertise in developing, reviewing, and approving comprehensive design drawings (e.g., CAD, BIM), technical specifications, and project documentation.

• Code Compliance & Standards: Thorough knowledge of relevant local (e.g., Australian Building Codes) and national building codes, as well as international industry standards (e.g., TIA-942, ASHRAE, Uptime Institute Tier Standards).

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Exceptional ability to collaborate effectively with construction, operations, technology, procurement, and external stakeholders to achieve project objectives.

• Project Oversight & Quality Assurance: Strong skills in reviewing design deliverables, conducting risk assessments, performing value engineering, and ensuring overall design quality.

• Value Engineering & Optimization: Experience in identifying and implementing cost-saving measures and performance enhancements without compromising reliability or operational efficiency.

• Team Development & Mentorship: Ability to mentor and develop junior engineering staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment.

Preferred Skills:

• AI Compute & Networking Technology: Knowledge of AI-specific compute hardware (e.g., GPUs, specialized processors), high-performance networking, and their unique infrastructure requirements.

• Sustainability & Energy Efficiency: Familiarity with sustainable design principles, energy-efficient cooling technologies (e.g., liquid cooling), renewable energy integration, and water management strategies relevant to data centers.

• Modular Construction Methodologies: Experience with modular and prefabricated construction techniques for rapid deployment of critical infrastructure.

• Procurement & Vendor Management: Understanding of the procurement lifecycle for critical infrastructure components and services, and experience in vendor evaluation.

• Risk Management: Experience in identifying, assessing, and mitigating design and project risks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5-10" AI experience level aligns well with the requirement of 8+ years total experience and 3+ years in management. The emphasis on AI compute technology as a preferred skill is critical given the company's focus. The inclusion of specific standards like ASHRAE and TIA adds depth to the expected technical qualifications.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Project Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 significant data center or critical infrastructure design projects, detailing the scope, your specific role, the design challenges, and the solutions implemented.

• Technical Drawings & Documentation Samples: Include examples of detailed engineering drawings, schematics, and technical specifications you have reviewed or developed, demonstrating clarity, accuracy, and adherence to standards.

• Value Engineering & Optimization Examples: Present specific instances where you identified opportunities for cost savings, efficiency improvements, or performance enhancements through value engineering, detailing the impact.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration Evidence: Provide examples or descriptions of how you successfully collaborated with construction, operations, or technology teams to resolve design conflicts or ensure project alignment.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Demonstrate your approach to designing efficient and standardized design workflows, including how you incorporate feedback loops from construction and operations.

• System Integration & Standards: Illustrate your understanding of how different infrastructure systems (power, cooling, network, security) integrate and how you ensure designs meet operational and maintainability standards.

• Metrics & Performance Analysis: Show how you track and analyze design performance against project goals, including metrics related to cost, schedule, efficiency, and reliability.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Manager role, a portfolio is critical. It needs to showcase not just technical drawing proficiency but also strategic thinking around project delivery, cost optimization, and cross-functional collaboration. The emphasis on "buildable" and "operational" aspects implies a need to see how candidates translate theoretical designs into practical, efficient, and maintainable infrastructure.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: AUD $150,000 - $200,000 per annum (based on experience, location, and industry benchmarks for Design Managers in critical infrastructure/data centers in Australia).

• Methodology: This estimate is derived from analyzing current salary data for Engineering Design Managers, Data Center Design Specialists, and similar roles in major Australian cities like Sydney and Melbourne, considering the specialized nature of AI infrastructure and the company's focus on cutting-edge technology. Factors such as Firmus Technologies' growth phase and funding also influence this projection.

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary & Potential Equity: Attractive base salary with potential for performance-based bonuses or equity participation in a rapidly growing tech company.

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Robust health, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Contribution to a superannuation fund (Australia's mandatory retirement savings scheme) above the statutory minimum.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for ongoing training, certifications, and attendance at industry conferences related to data center design, AI infrastructure, and engineering management.

• Generous Paid Time Off: Ample annual leave, personal/carer's leave, and public holidays, with potential for additional leave based on tenure.

• Innovation-Focused Environment: Working with pioneering technology at the intersection of AI and sustainability, offering unique professional challenges and growth.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are typically 40 hours per week.

• While on-site presence is required, the company may offer some flexibility in daily start/end times, subject to project demands and team coordination needs. Evening or weekend work may occasionally be required to meet critical project deadlines or address urgent operational issues, with appropriate compensation or time-off in lieu.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is crucial given the lack of explicit information. The range provided reflects senior engineering management roles in a high-demand field like data center design, particularly in Australia. The benefits listed are standard for professional roles in Australia but are tailored to highlight aspects relevant to a tech-focused, growth-stage company.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure & Sustainable Technology. Firmus Technologies operates at the forefront of AI, creating specialized digital infrastructure ("AI Factories") designed for maximum energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness, directly addressing the significant energy demands of modern AI computation. This niche places them between traditional data center providers and AI hardware/software developers, offering a unique value proposition.

Company Size: Emerging/Growth Stage (Likely 50-200 employees based on typical Greenhouse ATS usage for companies of this profile). This size indicates a dynamic environment where individual contributions have a significant impact, but also means processes may still be evolving.

Founded: 2019. This relatively recent founding means the company is likely still in a high-growth, innovative phase, with a culture that embraces agility, rapid iteration, and a mission-driven approach.

Team Structure:

• Operations & Engineering Focus: The Construction & Deployment team is a core operational unit responsible for the physical realization of the company's AI infrastructure.

• Reporting Structure: The Design Manager will report directly to the Head of Construction & Deployment, indicating a clear hierarchical structure within the operational delivery arm of the company.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Expect close working relationships with internal Technology (hardware/AI), Procurement, Construction Field Teams, Site Operations, and potentially Business Development/Sales to understand client requirements.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on using data to inform design decisions, optimize performance, and ensure efficiency, particularly concerning energy consumption and cooling.

• Agile Infrastructure Development: Likely adopting agile principles for rapid prototyping, testing, and deployment of infrastructure solutions, reflecting the fast-paced nature of the AI industry.

• Sustainability Integration: A core tenet of Firmus Technologies, embedding sustainability into every aspect of design, construction, and operation, from material selection to energy management.

Company Website: firmus.co (Hypothetical based on domain_derived)

📝 Enhancement Note: Connecting the company's mission (AI energy challenge, AI Factory) to the role of Design Manager is key. The "emerging company" aspect suggests opportunities for significant impact and potential for career growth, but also implies a need for adaptability and a willingness to help shape processes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior-level position within the engineering and operations management track. It requires a blend of deep technical expertise in infrastructure design and proven leadership capabilities in managing complex projects and teams. It sits above individual contributor engineers but below executive leadership, acting as a critical conduit for strategic execution.

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Head of Construction & Deployment. This structure places the Design Manager as a key leader within the physical infrastructure delivery team, with significant influence over project design quality and execution. Direct interaction with the Head suggests opportunities for high-level strategic input and visibility.

Operations Impact: The Design Manager's work directly impacts the company's ability to deliver its core product – energy-efficient AI infrastructure. Effective designs translate to:

• Reduced Operational Costs: Optimized power and cooling lead to lower energy bills for Firmus and its clients.

• Enhanced Performance: Designs supporting advanced compute hardware ensure clients can effectively train and deploy AI models.

• Scalability & Reliability: Robust designs enable the company to scale its AI Cloud services and maintain high uptime.

• Sustainability Leadership: Designs that minimize environmental impact reinforce Firmus's brand as a sustainable AI infrastructure provider.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into a Director-level role overseeing broader design and engineering functions, or to lead larger, more complex infrastructure projects.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-specific infrastructure, advanced cooling technologies, or sustainable data center design, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Cross-Functional Transition: Opportunity to transition into roles within Construction Management, Operations Management, or even Product Management for infrastructure solutions, leveraging a holistic understanding of the infrastructure lifecycle.

• Mentorship & Training: Play a key role in developing the next generation of infrastructure engineers within Firmus Technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis emphasizes the strategic importance of the role and its potential for career progression within a specialized, high-growth sector. It highlights how the Design Manager's contributions directly tie into the company's success and competitive advantage.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Likely a combination of office-based work for design, planning, and collaboration, with regular site visits to active construction and deployment locations. The company culture emphasizes innovation and a fast-paced environment.

Office Location(s):

• Sydney, NSW, Australia: A major metropolitan hub, offering access to a large talent pool and excellent infrastructure.

• Launceston, Tasmania: A potentially strategic location for infrastructure deployment, possibly offering cost advantages or specific environmental benefits. Site visits to both locations would be expected.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect an open and collaborative workspace designed to foster communication and teamwork, particularly between design, construction, and operations teams.

• Technology-Rich: Access to modern design software (CAD, BIM), project management tools, and communication platforms essential for complex infrastructure projects.

• Hands-On Interaction: Opportunities to engage directly with project sites, construction teams, and operational facilities, providing a tangible connection to the work.

Work Schedule:

• Standard 40-hour work week, but flexibility will be required to accommodate project deadlines, site inspections, and potential urgent issues. This may involve occasional extended hours or weekend work, particularly during critical construction phases. Time management and prioritization skills are key.

📝 Enhancement Note: The dual location option is noteworthy and suggests a potentially distributed team structure or strategic deployment considerations. The emphasis on site visits highlights the practical, hands-on nature of the role, balancing office-based design work with real-world implementation oversight.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening (Recruiter/HR): Assessment of basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit. Focus on understanding your career trajectory and motivation for applying.

2. Hiring Manager Interview (Head of Construction & Deployment): Deeper dive into your technical expertise, design management experience, leadership style, and understanding of data center/critical infrastructure principles. Expect scenario-based questions related to project challenges.

3. Technical/Team Interview (Peer Engineers/Operations Leads): Evaluation of your technical depth, problem-solving skills, and ability to collaborate. This may involve reviewing parts of your portfolio or discussing specific design challenges. You'll assess team dynamics and working style.

4. Portfolio Presentation & Case Study: A dedicated session where you present selected case studies from your portfolio, demonstrating your design process, problem-solving methodologies, and impact. This is a critical stage for showcasing your practical experience.

5. Executive Interview (Optional/Final Stage): Conversation with senior leadership to assess strategic alignment, long-term vision, and overall fit with Firmus Technologies' mission and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best represent your capabilities in data center/critical infrastructure design, management, and cross-functional collaboration. Prioritize projects with a strong emphasis on efficiency, sustainability, or innovative solutions.

• Focus on Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your approach, the specific solutions implemented, and the measurable outcomes (e.g., cost savings, efficiency gains, reliability improvements, reduced environmental impact). Quantify wherever possible.

• Showcase Process: Detail your design process, including how you manage requirements, coordinate disciplines, conduct reviews, and integrate feedback from construction and operations.

• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize instances where you effectively partnered with construction, deployment, and operations teams to ensure designs were practical and met operational needs.

• Technical Proficiency: Ensure examples demonstrate a strong command of relevant engineering principles, standards, and documentation practices.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Scenario Exercise: Be prepared for a hypothetical design challenge, potentially involving optimizing an existing design for efficiency, addressing a specific site constraint, or incorporating new technology. Focus on your structured approach to problem-solving.

• Value Engineering Proposal: You might be asked to outline how you would approach a value engineering exercise for a given infrastructure component or system.

• Stakeholder Management: Practice articulating technical concepts clearly and concisely to different audiences (e.g., engineers, construction managers, senior leadership).

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice tailored to a design management role in operations/engineering. The emphasis on portfolio presentation and specific interview stages is crucial for candidates to prepare effectively.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CAD Software: Proficiency with industry-standard Computer-Aided Design software such as AutoCAD, Revit, or similar for creating and reviewing detailed engineering drawings.

• BIM Software: Experience with Building Information Modeling tools for integrated design and collaboration.

• Project Management Software: Familiarity with tools like Microsoft Project, Asana, Jira, or similar for planning, tracking, and managing design tasks and project timelines.

• Collaboration Platforms: Expertise in using tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, or Confluence for team communication, document sharing, and knowledge management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Ability to interpret data from design simulations, energy modeling software, and post-construction performance reports. Familiarity with Excel for data manipulation and basic analysis.

• Reporting Tools: Experience generating reports on design progress, risk assessments, and value engineering outcomes, potentially using presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint) or integrated project management dashboards.

CRM & Automation:

• Not Directly Applicable: While CRM is not a primary tool for this role, understanding how design decisions impact the operational "product" (AI Cloud services) is key. Familiarity with systems that track infrastructure performance and availability would be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Specifying the types of software and tools is vital. While specific brand names might not be mandatory, understanding the categories (CAD, BIM, Project Management) and their application in infrastructure design management is essential for operations professionals.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Efficiency: A core drive to develop and implement cutting-edge, energy-efficient AI infrastructure solutions that push industry boundaries.

• Sustainability Commitment: Deep dedication to minimizing environmental impact through thoughtful design, responsible resource management, and energy-efficient operations.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering an environment where open communication, knowledge sharing, and constructive feedback are encouraged across all teams and disciplines.

• Excellence & Accountability: Striving for high standards in design quality, project execution, and operational reliability, with a strong sense of ownership and accountability for outcomes.

• Agility & Adaptability: Embracing a fast-paced, evolving technological landscape by remaining flexible, responsive, and proactive in addressing challenges and opportunities.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Emphasis on breaking down silos between design, construction, deployment, and operations to ensure a holistic approach to infrastructure development and lifecycle management.

• Proactive Communication: Encouraging early and frequent communication to identify potential issues, align on requirements, and facilitate smooth project progression.

• Data-Informed Decision Making: Utilizing data and analytics to support design choices, validate performance, and drive continuous improvement in infrastructure design and operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Linking company values to the operations and engineering context is important. Firmus's mission around AI and sustainability should be reflected in the team's operational values.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Keeping pace with the relentless advancements in AI hardware, networking, and cooling technologies requires continuous learning and adaptation of design strategies.

• Scaling Infrastructure: Designing and deploying infrastructure rapidly to meet growing demand for AI computation while maintaining efficiency and cost-effectiveness presents a significant scaling challenge.

• Balancing Innovation & Reliability: Integrating novel, energy-efficient solutions while ensuring the high reliability and uptime required for critical AI workloads.

• Cross-Disciplinary Coordination: Effectively managing communication and alignment across diverse teams (engineering, construction, operations, IT) with potentially different priorities and technical languages.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Access to training in advanced cooling technologies (e.g., liquid cooling), AI hardware infrastructure, sustainable design certifications, and project management methodologies.

• Industry Exposure: Opportunities to attend leading data center, AI, and sustainability conferences to stay current with trends and network with industry peers.

• Leadership Development: Formal and informal mentorship programs focused on developing strategic thinking, team leadership, and executive communication skills.

• Contribution to a Pioneering Field: The chance to be at the forefront of creating next-generation AI infrastructure, contributing to solutions for a critical global challenge.

📝 Enhancement Note: Identifying specific challenges and growth paths adds significant value. This helps candidates understand the demands of the role and the potential for professional development within Firmus Technologies.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing a new AI data hall to maximize energy efficiency while supporting the latest generation of high-density GPU compute?" (Focus on structured methodology, cooling, power considerations, and sustainability integration.)

• "Describe a time you had to resolve a significant design conflict between engineering requirements and construction feasibility. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Look for problem-solving, negotiation, and collaborative skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about Firmus Technologies' mission to solve AI's energy challenge?" (Demonstrate alignment with company values and mission.)

• "How do you foster a collaborative environment among design, construction, and operations teams, especially when working across different locations?" (Highlight communication strategies and relationship-building.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, the design process, the specific technical solutions, the challenges faced, and the quantifiable results (efficiency gains, cost savings, reliability improvements).

• Visual Aids: Use high-quality visuals, including simplified diagrams, schematics, or photos (if permissible), to illustrate your points and make complex designs easier to understand.

• Focus on Operations Alignment: Explicitly connect your design decisions to operational requirements, maintainability, and long-term efficiency. Show how your designs contribute to Firmus's core business objectives.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your technical choices, design trade-offs, and problem-solving approaches. Be ready to defend your decisions with solid reasoning.

📝 Enhancement Note: Providing specific examples of interview questions and preparation strategies makes this section highly actionable for candidates targeting operations and engineering management roles.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application: Navigate to the Firmus Technologies careers page or the provided Greenhouse link and submit your resume and cover letter.

• Tailor your Resume: Highlight experience in data center design, critical infrastructure projects, engineering management, cross-functional collaboration, and any exposure to AI compute or sustainable technologies. Quantify achievements wherever possible using metrics related to efficiency, cost savings, or project timelines.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 strong case studies that demonstrate your design leadership, technical expertise, and ability to deliver practical, efficient, and reliable infrastructure solutions. Focus on projects with measurable outcomes.

• Research Firmus Technologies: Understand their mission, technology (AI Factory, AI Cloud), and commitment to sustainability. Be ready to articulate why you are a good fit for their unique culture and operational goals.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio presentation and be prepared to discuss your design approach, problem-solving skills, and leadership philosophy during interviews.

⚠️ 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.