Site Engineering & Design Manager – Data Center Construction

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Site Engineering & Design Manager – Data Center Construction

Company: Turner & Townsend

Location: San Francisco, California, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Construction Project Management / Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-17

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (with remote options for specific locations)

🚀 Role Summary

• Manages the Request for Information (RFI) process, ensuring timely and accurate resolution for complex data center construction projects.

• Coordinates multidisciplinary design activities, facilitating collaboration between engineering, architectural, and construction teams to maintain project timelines and quality standards.

• Supports overall program governance by tracking design issues, action items, and ensuring adherence to established protocols and design authority.

• Acts as a key liaison, bridging communication between design consultants, construction contractors, and program management for mission-critical capital projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for ensuring the smooth execution of large-scale data center projects by meticulously managing the flow of information and design resolutions. The emphasis on RFI management, design coordination, and program governance signifies a need for a candidate with a strong operational mindset focused on process efficiency and risk mitigation within a construction context.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee and maintain the comprehensive project RFI register, ensuring all inquiries are logged, categorized, prioritized, and tracked to successful closure.

• Review, triage, and classify incoming RFIs according to established project protocols, escalating complex issues or design changes to the appropriate client design representatives or authorities.

• Draft initial responses for routine RFIs by leveraging contract documents, specifications, and approved project precedents, ensuring accuracy and alignment with project objectives.

• Coordinate the review and approval process for drafted RFI responses with designated client design representatives, ensuring timely feedback and issuance.

• Manage the escalation of RFIs that involve significant design changes, code interpretations, schedule impacts, cost implications, or technical ambiguities, ensuring clear communication channels.

• Monitor RFI status, track due dates, and analyze turnaround times to proactively identify and mitigate potential schedule impacts.

• Maintain accurate audit trails for all RFI-related documentation, including authorship, review, approval, and issuance records for compliance and historical reference.

• Coordinate design deliverables, manage review cycles, and facilitate the resolution of comments across architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, controls, and specialty engineering disciplines.

• Track and manage design-related risks, open issues, and action items, ensuring proactive follow-up and timely resolution to prevent project delays.

• Facilitate regular design coordination meetings, including agenda preparation, comprehensive meeting documentation, and diligent action item management.

• Identify and communicate potential design process bottlenecks that could affect project execution or construction activities, proposing solutions.

• Support robust document management efforts, including the maintenance of design basis documentation, RFI registers, submittal logs, design issue logs, and lessons learned databases.

• Promote and foster cross-functional collaboration among project stakeholders, consultants, contractors, and client teams to ensure alignment and efficiency.

• Prepare and deliver regular program reports detailing RFI metrics, design status, issue resolution progress, and identified project risks.

• Analyze RFI trends and recurring issues to identify opportunities for process improvement, enhanced design clarity, and knowledge capture.

• Support the continuous refinement of RFI management protocols, governance procedures, and best practices for data center construction.

• Ensure strict compliance with project documentation standards, approval workflows, and established authority boundaries.

• Adhere to SOX control responsibilities as applicable to the role, ensuring financial and operational integrity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities heavily emphasize process management, documentation, and cross-functional communication, which are core to effective operations in project management. The role requires not just technical understanding but also a strong capability in managing workflows, reporting, and ensuring compliance within a complex construction environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (e.g., Electrical, Mechanical, Civil), Architecture, Construction Management, or a closely related technical discipline.

• An equivalent combination of education and extensive experience in project engineering, design management, or construction administration will also be considered. Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in project engineering, design management, construction administration, or technical project coordination.

• Demonstrated experience supporting multidisciplinary design teams through the full project lifecycle, including design development, construction documentation, and active construction phases.

• Proven experience working within various project delivery models, such as Design-Build, EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction), or traditional design-bid-build structures.

• Experience supporting large-scale capital projects is essential.

• Specific experience supporting data center, mission-critical facilities, industrial plants, or other large infrastructure projects is highly preferred. Required Skills:

• RFI Management: Expertise in managing the entire RFI lifecycle from initiation to resolution, including classification, tracking, and response coordination.

• Design Coordination: Ability to effectively coordinate design efforts across multiple disciplines (architectural, structural, MEP, controls) and facilitate issue resolution.

• Technical Writing: Superior technical writing and documentation skills for drafting RFI responses, meeting minutes, reports, and process documentation.

• Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to manage relationships and communication with diverse stakeholders, including clients, design consultants, contractors, and internal teams.

• Project Governance: Strong understanding and application of project governance principles, including authority levels, approval workflows, and compliance requirements.

• Project Information Management Platforms: Proficiency with industry-standard platforms such as Procore, Aconex, Autodesk Construction Cloud (including BIM 360), or similar project collaboration and document management systems.

• Construction Administration: Solid understanding of construction administration processes and best practices.

• Data Center Fundamentals (Preferred): Familiarity with core data center design principles, including electrical distribution systems, mechanical cooling systems, building controls systems, and reliability/redundancy concepts.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience operating within sophisticated program management and governance frameworks.

• Exposure to commissioning processes, design validation, or construction quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures.

• Familiarity with data center reliability and redundancy concepts (e.g., Uptime Institute Tiers).

• Knowledge of SOX compliance as it pertains to project documentation and controls.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of technical engineering/construction knowledge and robust operational process management skills. The preference for data center experience and familiarity with specific project management software highlights key areas for candidates to emphasize in their applications and portfolios.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• RFI Management Case Studies: Showcase examples of how you have managed complex RFI processes, highlighting your approach to tracking, response drafting, coordination, and issue escalation. Quantify the impact of your management on project timelines or issue resolution speed.

• Design Coordination Documentation: Present examples of design coordination meeting agendas, minutes, and action item logs that demonstrate your ability to facilitate cross-disciplinary collaboration and drive resolution.

• System Implementation & Usage: Provide evidence of your proficiency with project information management platforms (e.g., Procore, Aconex, ACC). This could include screenshots of dashboards, RFI logs, or reporting features you have utilized, demonstrating your ability to leverage these tools for process efficiency.

• Process Improvement Examples: Include instances where you identified bottlenecks in design or RFI processes and implemented solutions that led to measurable improvements in efficiency, accuracy, or turnaround time.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Demonstrate your ability to document and optimize workflows for RFI management, design reviews, and issue tracking. This should include clear, step-by-step process maps and descriptions of how you ensure adherence.

• Implementation & Automation: Showcase how you have implemented or utilized systems for managing project documentation and communication. Highlight any efforts to streamline processes through technology or standardized procedures.

• Measurement & Analysis: Include examples of how you have tracked key metrics for RFI management (e.g., response times, number of RFIs, types of issues) and used this data to report on project status and identify areas for improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations-focused roles like this, a portfolio is crucial. It needs to demonstrate not just theoretical knowledge but practical application of process management, system utilization, and problem-solving within a project context. The emphasis should be on tangible results and efficiency gains.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $140,000 - $180,000 per year

Benefits:

• Bonuses: Eligibility for performance-based bonuses, reflecting company and individual achievements.

• Comprehensive Benefits Package: This typically includes:

  • Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

  • Retirement Savings Plan (e.g., 401(k) with company match)

  • Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick Leave, Holidays)

  • Life Insurance and Disability Coverage

  • Professional Development and Training Opportunities

  • Potential for other perks such as wellness programs, commuter benefits, etc. Working Hours:

• Typically 40 hours per week, aligning with standard business operations.

• Flexibility may be offered, especially given the remote work options for certain locations, but on-site presence will be required as per client needs. Overtime may be necessary during critical project phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a specialized management role in a high-demand sector like data center construction. The inclusion of bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package is standard for attracting and retaining talent in professional services firms like Turner & Townsend. The note on on-site presence emphasizes the hybrid nature of the role, balancing flexibility with project demands.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Professional Services (Project Management, Construction Consultancy, Real Estate, Infrastructure, Energy)

Company Size: Over 22,000 employees globally. This large size indicates a robust organizational structure, established processes, and significant resources available for projects and employee development. For operations professionals, this means exposure to diverse projects, potential for specialization, and clear career pathways.

Founded: Turner & Townsend has a long history, founded in 1946. This longevity suggests stability, deep industry expertise, and a proven track record in delivering complex projects worldwide.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team Aspect 1: Embedded within a larger program management team focused on a specific client's data center development. The team likely consists of project managers, construction managers, engineers, and subject matter experts.

• Operations Team Aspect 2: Reporting structure will likely involve reporting to a Program Director or Senior Project Manager, with direct oversight of design coordination and RFI processes. Collaboration will be cross-functional, spanning design consultants, general contractors, and client representatives.

• Operations Team Aspect 3: Cross-functional collaboration is paramount, especially with design consultants, construction teams, and client stakeholders. The role requires effective communication and integration to ensure project success.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: Utilization of data from RFIs, design issues, and project logs to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for process improvement. Reporting focuses on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to design and RFI resolution.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: Developing and refining standardized processes for RFI management, design reviews, and document control to ensure efficiency and compliance.

• Automation & Efficiency: Leveraging project management information systems (PMIS) like Procore or Aconex to automate workflows, track progress, and enhance communication.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Turner & Townsend's global presence and extensive experience provide a stable and resource-rich environment. The embedded nature of this role within a client program means operations professionals will be working closely with client teams, requiring adaptability and a strong understanding of client-specific governance and project objectives.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-to-senior management level, requiring significant experience in construction project execution and design coordination. It's a specialized role focused on the critical interface between design and construction, demanding strong process ownership and problem-solving skills.

Reporting Structure: The Site Engineering & Design Manager will report to a senior program leader (e.g., Program Director, Senior Project Manager) within the Turner & Townsend team overseeing the data center construction program. They will also work closely with client-side representatives and design leads.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the efficiency, cost, and schedule of major capital projects. By ensuring clear communication, timely resolution of design queries, and adherence to governance, this position helps mitigate risks, prevent delays, and maintain the quality and integrity of the data center construction. Effective RFI management and design coordination are crucial for avoiding costly rework and schedule overruns in complex projects.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in data center construction project management, advanced RFI and design management techniques, and sophisticated PMIS tools.

• Leadership Development: Potential to move into broader project management roles, program management, or specialize further in areas like commissioning management or construction quality assurance.

• Industry Specialization: Further specialization within the rapidly growing data center sector, a high-demand and lucrative field.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gaining experience across different project delivery models and client types within Turner & Townsend's diverse portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within construction project management, particularly in the specialized and high-demand data center sector. The emphasis on process ownership and stakeholder management equips individuals with transferable skills for broader operational leadership roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is described as hybrid, with an emphasis on being embedded within a client's program team. This means a significant portion of the work will likely occur on or near the active construction sites for the data centers. While there's a preference for candidates located in Dallas or Houston, TX, remote work is considered for the right candidate, indicating a distributed team model.

Office Location(s):

• Primary project focus is in San Francisco, California, United States.

• Remote work is an option, with a preference for candidates located in Dallas or Houston, Texas, United States. This suggests project teams may be distributed, with site visits and on-site presence required as needed. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a dynamic, collaborative environment requiring constant interaction with project managers, engineers, architects, contractors, and client representatives. Meetings will be frequent, both in person and virtual.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to and proficient use of project management information systems (PMIS) like Procore, Aconex, and Autodesk Construction Cloud is essential. The workspace will be digitally-driven, with reliance on cloud-based platforms for documentation, communication, and tracking.

• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with the immediate project team, design consultants, and site construction personnel. The role requires a proactive approach to communication and problem-solving within this ecosystem.

Work Schedule:

• Standard 40-hour work week is expected, but project demands, especially during critical construction phases or site inspections, may require extended hours or weekend work. Flexibility will be key.

• The hybrid and remote options suggest a degree of flexibility in managing one's schedule, provided project deliverables and on-site requirements are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid and potential remote nature of this role, combined with on-site requirements, necessitates strong self-management and excellent remote communication skills. Candidates should be prepared for a work environment that blends digital collaboration with necessary site presence.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely conduct an initial call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and interest in the role and company.

• Technical Interview(s): Expect interviews focused on your technical understanding of construction processes, RFI management, design coordination, and your experience with relevant project management software. You may be asked to walk through specific examples from your past projects.

• Case Study/Scenario-Based Interview: You might be presented with hypothetical RFI or design coordination scenarios and asked how you would approach them, testing your problem-solving and decision-making skills.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session to present your portfolio, focusing on your process management capabilities, system utilization, and quantifiable achievements in RFI management and design coordination.

• Cultural Fit Interview: Evaluation of your ability to collaborate within a team, communicate effectively, and align with Turner & Townsend's values and client-focused approach.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Process: Clearly articulate the processes you implemented or managed for RFI handling, design review, and issue tracking. Use flowcharts or diagrams if helpful.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work. Examples: "Reduced RFI turnaround time by X%", "Resolved Y critical design issues within Z timeframe," "Managed a portfolio of N RFIs per month."

• Showcase System Proficiency: Use screenshots or brief demonstrations of how you used Procore, Aconex, or ACC to manage workflows, track progress, and generate reports.

• Highlight Collaboration: Provide examples of how you facilitated communication and collaboration between different project stakeholders to achieve resolution.

• Data Center Relevance: If you have data center experience, highlight it. If not, draw parallels from other mission-critical or complex industrial projects.

Challenge Preparation:

• RFI Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you would handle an ambiguous RFI, an RFI that impacts cost/schedule, or an RFI requiring input from multiple disciplines.

• Design Coordination Challenges: Be ready to discuss how you would manage a design conflict between disciplines or a situation where design progress is lagging.

• Software Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss your experience with specific PMIS tools in detail, including how you leverage their features for operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely probe deeply into your operational capabilities – your ability to manage processes, utilize technology effectively, and drive results through structured approaches. Your portfolio is your primary tool for demonstrating this.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Procore: A comprehensive construction project management software used for managing RFIs, submittals, daily logs, drawings, and more. Proficiency in its RFI and document management modules is highly valuable.

• Aconex: Another robust platform for managing project information and processes, particularly strong in large, complex projects. Experience with its RFI and document control features is beneficial.

• Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) / BIM 360: A suite of tools for construction management, including document management, field management, and project coordination. Familiarity with its RFI and submittal workflows is key.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Essential for general documentation, reporting, and communication, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Excel will be critical for data analysis and tracking.

Analytics & Reporting:

• PMIS Reporting Features: Leveraging the built-in reporting and analytics capabilities of Procore, Aconex, or ACC to track RFI metrics, design issue status, and project progress.

• Microsoft Excel: For more detailed data analysis, trend identification, and custom report generation.

• Power BI / Tableau (Potentially): While not explicitly mentioned, experience with business intelligence tools could be an advantage for advanced data visualization and reporting if the company utilizes them for program-level insights.

CRM & Automation:

• Not Directly Applicable: This role is not typically customer-facing in a CRM sense. However, the principles of managing relationships (stakeholder management) and streamlining workflows (automation) are core to the operations aspect of the job.

• Workflow Automation within PMIS: Utilizing the automation features within platforms like Procore or Aconex to streamline RFI routing, approval notifications, and task assignments.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with specific construction project management software is non-negotiable for this role. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with these tools in detail, focusing on how they use them to manage processes and drive efficiency.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity & Trust: Upholding ethical standards in all dealings and maintaining accurate project records. This is crucial for SOX compliance and client trust.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Working effectively with diverse teams, fostering a spirit of partnership to achieve shared project goals. This is central to the embedded client model.

• Excellence & Professionalism: Delivering high-quality work, maintaining professional standards in all interactions, and striving for continuous improvement.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Using data from project processes (like RFIs) to inform decisions, identify risks, and drive efficiency.

• Client Focus: Prioritizing client needs and delivering exceptional service and outcomes, as Turner & Townsend operates largely in a client-embedded capacity.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect a highly integrated approach where design, construction, and program management functions work hand-in-hand. Open communication channels are vital.

• Process Review & Feedback: A culture that encourages constructive feedback on processes and workflows to drive continuous improvement. Regular meetings serve as forums for this.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of lessons learned, best practices, and insights gained from managing complex projects to benefit the broader team and organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on client focus and partnership is key. Operations professionals in this role need to be adaptable, client-centric, and skilled at building strong working relationships across different organizations and project disciplines.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Ambiguity: Data center designs and construction can involve complex, evolving requirements. Handling RFIs that lack clear information or require significant interpretation will be a recurring challenge.

• Balancing Speed and Accuracy: The pressure to maintain project schedules can lead to rushed responses. The challenge lies in ensuring accuracy and thoroughness in RFI responses and design coordination while meeting deadlines.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Navigating differing opinions, priorities, and communication styles among diverse stakeholders (client, designers, contractors) requires strong diplomacy and negotiation skills.

• Adapting to Evolving Technologies: The data center industry is rapidly advancing. Staying abreast of new technologies, design standards, and construction methodologies will be crucial for effective RFI resolution and design coordination.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in construction project management, specifically within the mission-critical data center sector. Gain advanced skills in RFI management, design coordination, and risk mitigation.

• Industry Certifications: Opportunities to pursue relevant certifications in project management (e.g., PMP) or construction-specific areas.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Potential for mentorship from senior project and program managers within Turner & Townsend, with pathways to leadership roles.

• Exposure to Advanced PMIS: Gaining hands-on experience with leading-edge project management information systems and their advanced features for operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for professional growth by tackling complex challenges in a high-demand industry. The ability to navigate ambiguity and foster collaboration will be key to overcoming challenges and unlocking development potential.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to managing the RFI process on a large-scale construction project. What are the key steps and potential pitfalls?" (Focus on process, documentation, and proactive management.)

• "How would you ensure effective coordination between mechanical, electrical, and structural design teams when a conflict arises?" (Emphasize communication strategies, facilitation, and problem-solving.)

• "Walk me through a time you identified a bottleneck in a design or RFI process and what steps you took to resolve it. What was the outcome?" (Prepare a STAR method response highlighting process improvement and quantifiable results.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Turner & Townsend and our role in major construction projects like data centers?" (Research the company's website, recent projects, and values.)

• "How do you typically collaborate with client representatives and design consultants on a project?" (Highlight your client-centric approach and communication skills.)

• "This role requires SOX compliance. What is your understanding of SOX and how it might apply to project documentation and controls?" (Briefly research SOX controls relevant to project management.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by key responsibility areas (RFI Management, Design Coordination, System Utilization, Process Improvement).

• Storytelling: For each example, clearly state the challenge, your action, and the result (CAR method). Use your portfolio items as evidence.

• Metrics Focus: Be prepared to discuss the quantifiable impact of your work – e.g., improved response times, reduced rework, cost savings achieved through effective design coordination.

• System Demonstration: If possible, prepare brief visual aids or screenshots to showcase your proficiency with Procore, Aconex, or ACC, focusing on how you used them operationally.

• Conciseness: Be clear and direct. Focus on the most impactful examples and be ready to answer specific questions about your experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of construction project operations, process management, and the effective use of technology to drive efficiency and mitigate risk. Quantifiable achievements are critical for showcasing impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Site Engineering & Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Turner & Townsend careers portal.

• Operations Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in RFI management, design coordination, and proficiency with project management software (Procore, Aconex, ACC). Use keywords from the job description.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your years of experience, education, and specific responsibilities related to managing complex capital projects, especially in data center or mission-critical environments. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experience using the STAR method, focusing on operational processes, problem-solving, and stakeholder management. Prepare specific examples that showcase your ability to manage RFIs and design issues effectively.

• Company Research: Thoroughly review the Turner & Townsend website to understand their company culture, values, and the types of projects they undertake. Familiarize yourself with their approach to client partnerships and project delivery.

⚠️ 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.