Senior Integrated Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Integrated Design Manager

Company: Aligned Data Centers

Location: PIT01 (Presumed Pittsburgh, PA), United States of America

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Operations - Construction & Design Management

Date Posted: 2026-09-08

Experience Level: 9+ Years (Senior Level)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the preconstruction and design phases for major technical programs, focusing on both colocation and hyperscale data center builds.

• Lead and manage cross-functional teams, including internal stakeholders, architects, consultants, equipment providers, and general contractors, to ensure successful project execution.

• Integrate with sales and solutions engineering teams to support the revenue generation process and ensure technical deliverables meet customer requirements.

• Drive innovation, efficiency, and operational excellence throughout the design and construction lifecycle, aligning project goals with company directives and strategic objectives.

• Accountable for the successful delivery of customer contracts from initial design through final turnover to operations, maintaining a strong focus on safety, compliance, and budget adherence.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Senior Integrated Design Manager," the responsibilities heavily lean into the operational execution and oversight of the design and pre-construction phases within a larger construction program. This role is crucial for bridging the gap between initial sales/solutioning and the actual build, requiring a strong understanding of data center infrastructure and project lifecycle management. The "PIT01" location is unclear and potentially an internal code; based on common US data center hubs and the salary range, Pittsburgh, PA is a plausible interpretation for estimation purposes.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Drive projects from inception through customer or business turnover, with a primary focus on leadership during the preconstruction and design phases.

• Assume project lead role at design hand-off from the land enablement team and shift overall project leadership to the Construction Manager (CM) at General Contractor (GC) mobilization.

• Support day-to-day program activities and initiatives in conjunction with the CM, engaging with architects, consultants, equipment providers, and GCs.

• Coordinate all project activities with building Operations, promoting safety and compliance initiatives and requirements on site.

• Serve as the primary support role to the CM from GC mobilization to turnover to Operations.

• Integrate with sales and solutions engineering teams during the revenue generation process to meet with customers and ensure technical deliverables are met.

• Interface with customers through fit-out design, construction, and integration, remaining accountable for the successful delivery of customer contracts.

• Manage projects with a business-first mindset, ensuring alignment with directives from executive leadership (CRC/SLT/Board).

• Operate with a constant mindset of continuous improvement, creativity, efficiency, and innovation in all project aspects.

• Lead multiple design management project teams, with the potential for growth into leadership of multiple projects across various buildings within a campus or region, directly responsible for the accountability of direct reports.

• Coordinate and communicate with the land enablement group to ensure success with offsite improvements, early permitting, easements, and environmental studies.

• Coordinate and create project risk registers from the land enablement phase through project completion and turnover to Aligned Operations.

• Lead and coordinate the onboarding of third-party design teams and the creation of design schedules to support project needs.

• Oversee the management of external third-party design teams through project completion and turnover to Aligned Operations.

• Drive the review and management of design deliverables, including stakeholder review and comment cycles.

• Hold design teams accountable for design progression and gating.

• Work with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), Operations, and CMs to ensure design compliance with Aligned's Design Efficiency Capture (DEC).

• Identify design variances, track them, and manage the acquisition of necessary approvals.

• Enforce design team accountability to Aligned’s Cost Control Log (CCL) and Complies, Deviates, Excludes (CDE) matrices.

• Operate in lockstep with the CM on each project to ensure proper communications, escalations, and regular reporting to all internal and external parties and leadership.

• Create, manage, and update project metrics in Smartsheets (project dashboards) for each project.

• Own or direct all administrative duties related to the design management process.

• Assist the CM with building and maintaining budget/cost models and budgets for all project phases, specifically concerning design costs and timelines.

• Work with the CM to prepare and present all funding requests.

• Coordinate with the CM to prepare and present quarterly project updates for leadership.

• Conduct technical reviews of construction plans, understanding architectural design within a data center environment.

• Communicate conceptual designs to multiple internal Aligned teams with required project documentation prior to and during construction.

• Cross-reference customer requirements as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are extensive and detailed, highlighting a hands-on role in managing the critical pre-construction and design phases of complex data center projects. The emphasis on collaboration with sales, operations, and construction management teams underscores the integrated nature of this role within Aligned's GTM and project delivery lifecycle.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related equivalent field. Experience:

• A minimum of 9+ years of progressive experience in successfully managing commercial construction project design programs.

• Data center experience is strongly preferred.

• Mechanical/Electrical background is preferred.

• Advanced experience in Excel, Smartsheets, and/or AutoCAD.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to multi-task with strong time and change management/organizational skills.

• Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality.

• Ability to understand and follow clear directions and meet specific deadlines with reporting, communication, and project schedules.

• Team player with strong communication skills across the organization.

• Ability to interpret construction drawings and specifications.

• Knowledge of construction cost estimating methods and development of scopes of work.

• Ability to understand construction project scopes.

• Ability to monitor and interpret design and schedule changes and forecast their impact on overall project costs.

• May require travel, at times, up to 25%. Required Skills:

• Construction Management

• Data Center Design & Construction

• MEP Systems Understanding

• Project Management Software (MS Projects, Prolog, Procore, BIM 360, or similar)

• Budgeting and Cost Control

• Design Deliverables Management

• Risk Management

• Stakeholder Communication

• Technical Review of Construction Plans

• Excel (Advanced)

• Smartsheets

• AutoCAD (Experience strongly desired) Preferred Skills:

• Mechanical/Electrical Engineering Background

• Experience with IPD (Integrated Project Delivery), Design-Build, and/or CM at Risk methodologies.

• Knowledge and experience working with CAD.

• Familiarity with Aligned's Design Efficiency Capture (DEC) and Cost Control Log (CCL) / Complies, Deviates, Excludes (CDE) matrices.

• Customer integration and management during the design and construction phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of technical design understanding, project management rigor, and strong interpersonal skills. The preference for data center experience and specific software proficiency (Smartsheets, AutoCAD) is critical for candidates to highlight. The "9+ years" suggests a senior individual contributor or a lead role within a larger team.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate successful management of the preconstruction and design phases for complex commercial construction projects, ideally within the data center sector.

• Showcase examples of project planning, scheduling, and risk mitigation strategies implemented during the design lifecycle.

• Include case studies or project summaries detailing how you managed third-party design teams, reviewed deliverables, and ensured compliance with design standards (e.g., DEC).

• Present evidence of budget management for design costs, including experience with cost estimating, funding requests, and tracking against cost control logs.

• Quantify improvements in efficiency, cost savings, or schedule adherence achieved through proactive design management and process optimization. Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you have established and managed design schedules, stakeholder review cycles, and design gating processes.

• Showcase your approach to identifying, tracking, and obtaining approvals for design variances.

• Illustrate your methods for ensuring design compliance with company-specific standards and matrices (e.g., DEC, CCL, CDE).

• Detail your experience in creating and managing project dashboards and metrics (e.g., using Smartsheets) for regular reporting to leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Integrated Design Manager role, a portfolio should clearly articulate the candidate's ability to manage complex design processes, mitigate risks, control costs, and drive efficiency. Specific examples using tools like Smartsheets and demonstrating familiarity with data center design principles will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $150,000 - $210,000 + Bonus per year.

Benefits:

• Health Coverage: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Savings & Spending Accounts: Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution for eligible participants, and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for health and dependent care to maximize tax savings.

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with a generous company match, contributing to long-term financial security.

• Paid Time Off & Holidays: Competitive paid time off (PTO) package, including sick and safe leave as required by law, and paid holidays.

• Company-Sponsored Insurance: Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance are provided (with medical election for some).

• Optional Benefits: Access to voluntary benefits such as additional life insurance, critical illness, legal services, and enhanced disability coverage.

• Wellness Programs: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential support, Wellhub (formerly Gympass) gym membership for health and wellness, and other wellness initiatives.

• Bonus Opportunity: Performance-based bonus potential, in addition to the base salary.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work week, typically 40 hours per week. Flexibility may be required based on project demands and deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided. The benefits package is comprehensive, emphasizing health and financial well-being, with specific mentions of HSA contributions and immediate 401k vesting (from company description, though not explicitly in the compensation section). The note about Maryland law for sick leave suggests a potential hiring location or operational presence. The bonus structure is a key component of the total compensation.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Data Centers / Critical Infrastructure

Company Size: Aligned Data Centers is a privately held company experiencing rapid growth. While not explicitly stated, given the scope of their operations and typical industry players, they likely fall into the large enterprise category.

Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the company is described as one of the fastest-growing privately held data center companies, indicating a dynamic and expanding operational footprint.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Integrated Design Manager will lead several design management project teams, with potential for growth into leading multiple projects across multiple buildings in a campus or region. This suggests a hierarchical structure within the design and construction management function.

• The role involves close collaboration with the Construction Manager (CM), sales teams, solutions engineering, and building Operations. This indicates a matrixed or highly cross-functional team environment.

• Direct reports are anticipated, pointing to a management or team lead responsibility within the design management function. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: The company emphasizes continuous improvement, creativity, efficiency, and innovation, suggesting a data-informed approach to project management and design.

• Process Optimization: A core aspect of the role is driving efficiencies through design management, ensuring compliance with Aligned's Design Efficiency Capture (DEC) and Cost Control Log (CCL).

• Customer-Centricity: The role requires close interface with customers throughout the design and construction process, emphasizing successful delivery of contracts and meeting technical deliverables.

• Safety and Compliance: A strong focus is placed on promoting safety and compliance initiatives on-site.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Aligned Data Centers positions itself as an innovative, fast-growing leader in the data center industry. The culture appears to value passion, operational excellence, continuous improvement, and customer focus. The emphasis on sustainability and diversity also points to a modern corporate ethos.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level position, indicating significant experience and leadership responsibilities within the design and preconstruction phases of data center projects. It requires the ability to manage complex programs, lead teams, and influence project outcomes.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Integrated Design Manager will report to a higher-level management position within the construction or project delivery organization. They will, in turn, manage direct reports (design teams) and work closely with Construction Managers and potentially Sales/Solutions Engineering leadership.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the company's ability to deliver critical infrastructure projects efficiently and profitably. Successful design management ensures projects meet customer requirements, stay within budget, adhere to schedules, and meet operational standards, directly contributing to revenue generation and client satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to grow into leading larger project portfolios, managing multiple campuses or regions, and potentially overseeing a larger team of design managers.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to contribute to the refinement of Aligned's Design Efficiency Capture (DEC) processes and influence design standards across the organization.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Exposure to sales, solutions engineering, and operations provides a broad understanding of the data center business, opening doors to other leadership roles within the company.

• Professional Development: The company offers wellness programs and professional development opportunities, supporting continuous learning and skill enhancement in areas relevant to project management, design, and leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned for experienced professionals looking to deepen their expertise in data center design and construction management, with clear pathways for career advancement into broader leadership and strategic roles within a rapidly growing company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is primarily on-site, involving significant time spent in project offices, construction sites, and potentially client facilities. While there may be opportunities for remote work for administrative tasks, the core responsibilities require physical presence.

Office Location(s): The primary specified location is "PIT01," which is interpreted as Pittsburgh, PA for salary and context estimation. However, the company operates globally, and travel up to 25% is expected, suggesting involvement in projects across different regions.

Workspace Context:

• Field and Office Blend: The role demands a balance between office-based work (planning, reporting, team coordination) and on-site presence (site walks, coordination with GCs, client meetings).

• Collaborative Environment: Expect close collaboration with project teams, including architects, engineers, consultants, CMs, and operations personnel, often in dynamic and fast-paced settings.

• Tools & Technology: Access to project management software (MS Projects, Procore, BIM 360), design tools (AutoCAD), and data management platforms (Smartsheets) will be integral to the daily workflow.

Work Schedule:

• A standard 40-hour work week is expected, but the demands of large-scale construction projects often necessitate extended hours, including evenings and weekends, to meet critical deadlines and milestones.

📝 Enhancement Note: This is a demanding, on-site role requiring flexibility and a willingness to be present where the project needs dictate, from office environments to active construction sites. The blend of strategic oversight and hands-on project execution is characteristic of senior operational roles in construction.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or a recruiter will likely conduct an initial screening to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A more in-depth discussion with the hiring manager focusing on technical expertise, project management experience, leadership style, and specific examples from your career.

• Team/Peer Interviews: Interviews with potential colleagues, including Construction Managers, other Design Managers, or members of the Operations team, to assess collaboration skills and technical depth.

• Case Study/Presentation: Candidates may be asked to present a portfolio case study or work through a hypothetical design/construction scenario to demonstrate problem-solving abilities, strategic thinking, and communication skills.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader (e.g., Director of Project Management, VP of Construction) to finalize the decision and discuss overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Showcase quantifiable achievements related to schedule adherence, cost savings, risk mitigation, and design optimization in your portfolio.

• Structure Case Studies: For each project, clearly define the challenge, your role, the actions you took (specifically focusing on design management and preconstruction), and the measurable results.

• Highlight Data Center Expertise: Emphasize any experience with MEP systems, hyperscale/colocation builds, and adherence to data center specific design standards.

• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Include examples of how you've effectively used Smartsheets, AutoCAD, and other project management software to drive project success.

• Showcase Leadership: Detail your experience leading teams, managing third-party vendors, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Optimization Scenarios: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach optimizing a given design for cost, efficiency, or constructability within a data center context.

• Risk Identification & Mitigation: Practice identifying potential design risks in a data center project and outlining strategies to mitigate them.

• Stakeholder Management: Prepare examples of how you've managed conflicting stakeholder requirements or navigated complex communication challenges during the design phase.

• Budget Management: Be ready to discuss your approach to managing design budgets, forecasting costs, and presenting funding requests.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process will likely be rigorous, requiring candidates to demonstrate not only technical expertise but also strong project management discipline and leadership capabilities. A well-curated portfolio that highlights data center specific experience and quantifiable results will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Project Management Software: Proficiency in tools like MS Projects, Prolog, Procore, or BIM 360 is essential for managing project timelines, documentation, and collaboration.

• Data Management & Dashboards: Advanced experience with Smartsheets is explicitly required for creating and managing project dashboards and metrics.

• Design Software: While CAD experience is listed as a "plus," advanced experience with AutoCAD is also mentioned as a minimum qualification, indicating its importance in reviewing and understanding design deliverables.

• Spreadsheets: Advanced Excel skills are a minimum requirement for data analysis, budgeting, and reporting.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Smartsheets: Will be used extensively for creating and maintaining project dashboards, tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), and reporting progress to stakeholders.

• Excel: Essential for detailed financial analysis, cost tracking, and ad-hoc reporting.

CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly mentioned as direct tools for this role, understanding how design decisions integrate with sales processes (supported by CRM) and how construction workflows can be optimized (potential for automation in project management) is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Smartsheets and advanced Excel is non-negotiable. Experience with construction project management software and familiarity with design tools like AutoCAD are critical for success in this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Efficiency: A strong emphasis on continuous improvement, creativity, efficiency, and innovation in all aspects of project delivery. This means actively seeking better ways to design and build data centers.

• Customer Focus: Dedication to meeting customer needs and ensuring successful delivery of contracts, requiring a proactive and responsive approach to client interactions.

• Operational Excellence: A commitment to driving high standards in project execution, safety, and compliance, aligning with the company's broader pursuit of operational excellence in data center management.

• Teamwork & Collaboration: Aligned values a collaborative environment where team members work together, support each other, and contribute to shared goals. This is evident in the cross-functional nature of this role.

• Integrity & Ethics: The company emphasizes ethical conduct, respect, and integrity in all dealings, as outlined in its general competencies.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires seamless collaboration with sales, solutions engineering, land enablement, construction management, and building operations teams.

• Proactive Communication: Open and consistent communication is vital, especially in coordinating with third-party design teams, GCs, and internal stakeholders, including regular reporting and escalations.

• Feedback Exchange: A culture that likely encourages feedback loops to drive continuous improvement in design and construction processes.

• Partnership Approach: Working "in lockstep" with the CM and engaging with customers demonstrates a partnership-oriented approach to project delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of and alignment with Aligned's core values, particularly around innovation, efficiency, customer service, and teamwork, as these are critical for success in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Complex Stakeholder Needs: Balancing the requirements of internal teams (sales, operations), external customers, and third-party vendors/designers can be challenging.

• Rapid Growth Environment: Aligned's fast growth means processes may be evolving, requiring adaptability and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

• Technical Complexity of Data Centers: Ensuring designs meet the stringent technical, power, cooling, and connectivity requirements of hyperscale and colocation data centers.

• Schedule and Budget Pressures: Delivering large-scale projects on time and within budget, especially with potential design changes or unforeseen site conditions.

• Leading Diverse Teams: Effectively leading and motivating internal teams and external consultants/contractors to achieve project objectives.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Data Center Specialization: Deepen expertise in data center MEP systems, infrastructure design, and the unique challenges of building these facilities.

• Project Portfolio Management: Develop skills in managing multiple large-scale projects simultaneously, enhancing strategic planning and resource allocation capabilities.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to hone leadership skills through managing direct reports and influencing cross-functional teams.

• Industry Best Practices: Exposure to Aligned's proprietary methodologies like Design Efficiency Capture (DEC) and involvement in cutting-edge data center innovations.

• Cross-Functional Knowledge: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the end-to-end data center lifecycle, from sales and design to construction and operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant challenges that are directly tied to substantial growth opportunities, particularly for professionals seeking to advance their careers in the high-demand data center sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a complex design program for a large-scale construction project. What were the key challenges, and how did you ensure success?" (Focus on preconstruction/design phases, stakeholder management, and results).

• "How do you ensure design compliance with company standards (like DEC) and customer requirements simultaneously? Provide an example." (Demonstrate understanding of balancing internal policies with external needs).

• "Walk me through your process for onboarding and managing third-party design teams. How do you hold them accountable for deliverables and schedules?" (Highlight your project management methodology and vendor management skills).

• "Describe a situation where you had to identify and mitigate a significant design risk. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Showcase analytical and problem-solving skills). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Aligned Data Centers and our position in the market? How do you see this role contributing to our growth?" (Research the company's recent projects, innovations, and market strategy).

• "How do you approach collaboration with sales and operations teams to ensure project alignment from inception through handover?" (Emphasize your understanding of cross-functional integration and communication).

• "Describe your leadership style when managing project teams and direct reports. How do you foster a culture of innovation and accountability?" (Align with Aligned's values of teamwork, efficiency, and leadership). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 2-3 Key Projects: Choose projects that best demonstrate your experience in data center design management, complex project leadership, and quantifiable results.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly articulate:

  • The Challenge: The client's need or the project's complexity.
  • Your Role: Your specific responsibilities as Design Manager.
  • The Solution/Actions: The strategies, processes, and tools you employed (e.g., risk registers, design reviews, stakeholder coordination).
  • The Results: Quantifiable outcomes (e.g., schedule saved, cost reduced, efficiency gained, successful customer handover).

• Highlight Tool Usage: Specifically mention how you used Smartsheets, AutoCAD, Excel, etc., to drive project success.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific decisions, challenges encountered, and alternative approaches you considered.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating practical application of skills through concrete examples, showcasing an understanding of data center specifics, and aligning with Aligned's culture of innovation and operational excellence.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Integrated Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link on the Aligned Data Centers careers page.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 9+ years of progressive experience in commercial construction design management, specifically emphasizing any data center, MEP, or hyperscale project experience. Quantify achievements using metrics related to cost savings, schedule adherence, and efficiency improvements.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 strong case studies focusing on your leadership in the preconstruction and design phases. Clearly articulate project scope, your role, actions taken, and measurable results. Be ready to demonstrate your proficiency with Smartsheets, advanced Excel, and AutoCAD (if applicable).

• Research Aligned Data Centers: Understand their mission, values, recent projects, and commitment to innovation and sustainability. Prepare to discuss how your skills and experience align with their strategic goals.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare detailed answers to behavioral and situational questions, using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), focusing on your experience in design management, risk mitigation, stakeholder collaboration, and leadership.

⚠️ 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.