Sr. DC Design Manager for Region (AMER), DCDE - AMER

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. DC Design Manager for Region (AMER), DCDE - AMER

Company: Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Location: Seattle, Washington, United States & Herndon, Virginia, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Infrastructure Operations & Design Management

Date Posted: July 28, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design direction and delivery of data center infrastructure across the AMER region, ensuring global consistency and high standards for AWS.

• Drive process improvements, standardization, and automation within the data center design lifecycle to enhance speed, quality, and cost-effectiveness.

• Manage and mentor multi-disciplinary engineering teams, external consultants, and internal stakeholders to achieve project objectives.

• Foster a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and ownership within the design team, aligning with Amazon's Leadership Principles.

• Collaborate closely with operations, procurement, and construction teams to ensure seamless transition from design to implementation and operational readiness.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is deeply embedded within the operational backbone of AWS, requiring a strong blend of technical design expertise, robust project management capabilities, and a strategic approach to scalable infrastructure. The emphasis on "self-performance" of engineering by AWS suggests a hands-on leadership style and a need for deep understanding of the entire project lifecycle, not just design.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor teams of architects, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, security, and control engineers to deliver globally consistent, high-quality data center designs.

• Oversee the entire design lifecycle, including development, change management, permitting with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), and implementation support (RFIs, submittals).

• Manage design consultant procurement, contracting, deliverable oversight, and payment processes to ensure project success.

• Develop and implement design procedures, protocols, and global best practices to standardize and optimize future system development.

• Drive speed, quality, and simplification by identifying and eliminating rework loops, reducing manual work through standardization, and implementing automation.

• Effectively communicate with AWS Leadership and external project partners, providing clear reporting on schedule, cost, and quality metrics throughout the project lifecycle.

• Manage competing priorities and stakeholder expectations across various AWS departments and external entities.

• Conduct site assessments, internal design meetings, and construction reviews, with anticipated travel not exceeding 25% (including potential international travel).

• Champion Amazon's Leadership Principles, fostering a culture of ownership, customer obsession, and continuous improvement within the design team.

• Proactively identify and manage technical escalations from internal customers (operations) and project teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior leadership role focused on strategic impact across an entire region. The emphasis on "self-performs engineering" and "design delivery" suggests a need for strong operational understanding beyond theoretical design, including practical implementation challenges and cost-efficiency drivers.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (e.g., Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Structural) or a closely related technical field. Experience:

• 6+ years of experience in data center design, construction, operations, or facility maintenance.

• 6+ years of industrial or commercial engineering experience in mission-critical facilities, such as data centers, power generation, or oil and gas facilities.

• Proven experience in researching and evaluating new designs, technologies, and construction methods for data center equipment and facilities.

• Experience carrying design concepts through exploration, development, and into deployment or mass production. Required Skills:

• Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage critical path schedules, risk, quality, and costs for complex engineering projects.

• Design Lifecycle Management: Comprehensive understanding of design development, design change management, permitting processes (working with AHJs), and implementation phases (RFIs, submittals, working with Construction Managers).

• Consultant Management: Expertise in managing external design consultants, including procurement, contracting, deliverable management, and payment processes.

• Stakeholder Communication: Proven ability to effectively communicate with internal AWS Leadership, internal customers (operations), and external project partners, including creating and tracking key performance metrics.

• Technical Acumen: Strong understanding of various engineering disciplines relevant to data centers (structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, security, controls).

• Problem-Solving: Ability to identify multi-disciplinary design decisions and manage technical escalations efficiently.

• Process Improvement: Experience in driving speed, quality, and simplification through standardization and automation.

Preferred Skills:

• Professional Licensure: Professional Engineering (PE) or Architectural License.

• Code Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of building codes and regulations specific to the AMER region.

• Technical Documentation: Experience reading, interpreting, and creating construction drawings, specifications, and submittal documents.

• Leadership: Ability to motivate teams to achieve impeccable quality in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

• Data Center Specifics: Familiarity with space utilization, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness innovations in data center design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications strongly suggest a need for a candidate who can bridge the gap between high-level strategic design and practical, on-the-ground implementation challenges within large-scale data center operations. The preference for a PE/RA license indicates a desire for deep technical credibility and regulatory understanding.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrable experience in managing the end-to-end lifecycle of complex engineering projects, with a focus on data center design and deployment.

• Case studies showcasing successful implementation of design standardization and automation initiatives that led to measurable improvements in speed, quality, or cost reduction.

• Examples of managing external design consultants, highlighting procurement strategies, deliverable management, and performance evaluation.

• Documentation of contributions to establishing design procedures, protocols, or global best practices within an organization.

• Evidence of effective stakeholder management, including clear communication strategies and metrics reporting for project progress and outcomes. Process Documentation:

• Examples of process maps or workflow diagrams illustrating the data center design lifecycle, from concept to implementation.

• Documentation of experience with design change management processes, including impact analysis, approval workflows, and implementation tracking.

• Examples of permitting documentation or engagement with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) for critical infrastructure projects.

• Portfolio items demonstrating collaboration with construction teams, including review of RFIs, submittals, and site assessments.

• Evidence of developing or contributing to global best practice documentation and knowledge-sharing initiatives within a distributed team.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the senior nature of this role and its focus on regional impact and process standardization, a portfolio that clearly articulates the candidate's ability to manage complex processes, drive efficiency, and deliver tangible results will be crucial. Emphasis should be placed on quantifiable achievements and strategic contributions.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Seattle, Washington, USA: $136,600 - $184,800 USD annually

• Herndon, Virginia, USA: $136,600 - $184,800 USD annually

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Insurance.

• Life & Disability: Basic Life & AD&D Insurance, with options for Supplemental Life Plans.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Access to confidential counseling and support services.

• Mental Health Support: Dedicated resources for mental well-being.

• Medical Advice Line: Convenient access to medical guidance.

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs): For healthcare and dependent care expenses.

• Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement: Support for family-building journeys.

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with matching contributions.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous vacation and personal time.

• Parental Leave: Support for new parents.

• Sign-on Payments: Additional compensation upon joining.

• Restricted Stock Units (RSUs): Equity in Amazon, vesting over time.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time workweek, typically 40 hours, with flexibility expected to meet project demands and deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a benchmark for a Senior Design Manager role in these high-cost-of-living areas within the US. The comprehensive benefits package is typical for a large tech organization like Amazon, with a strong emphasis on employee well-being, family support, and long-term financial security through stock and retirement plans.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Cloud Computing & Infrastructure Services (Amazon Web Services - AWS). AWS is a global leader in providing on-demand cloud computing platforms, renowned for its innovation, scalability, and breadth of services.

Company Size: AWS is a division of Amazon, one of the world's largest technology companies, employing hundreds of thousands globally. This specific team operates within the AWS Infrastructure Services group, which is a significant and rapidly growing segment.

Founded: Amazon was founded in 1994, and AWS was launched in 2006. This history signifies a culture of pioneering innovation, customer obsession, and a relentless pursuit of operational excellence.

Team Structure:

• The Sr. Regional Design Manager is part of the global engineering leadership team within AWS Infrastructure Services.

• This team comprises highly effective architects and engineers across various disciplines (Structural, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Security, Controls).

• The role involves close collaboration with internal AWS customers (operations teams), external engineering consultants, procurement, construction managers, and regulatory agencies.

• The team structure emphasizes cross-functional collaboration to ensure designs are innovative, cost-effective, reliable, and meet operational needs. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Decisions are informed by rigorous data analysis, performance metrics, and cost-benefit assessments.

• Standardization & Automation: A core methodology involves developing and implementing standardized design procedures and automating manual processes to increase efficiency and consistency.

• Continuous Improvement: Embraces a culture of iteration, learning from feedback, and refining designs and processes to achieve higher standards.

• Customer Obsession: Designs are driven by the needs of AWS customers, focusing on reliability, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Amazon's culture is defined by its Leadership Principles, which are deeply ingrained in daily operations and decision-making. For this role, principles like "Customer Obsession," "Ownership," "Invent and Simplify," and "Bias for Action" are particularly relevant. The sheer scale of AWS means that operational efficiency and design scalability are paramount.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Managerial role, indicating a significant level of responsibility and autonomy. It sits at a critical juncture between strategic design planning and operational execution, requiring leadership experience and a deep understanding of complex infrastructure projects. The role is responsible for influencing design direction and establishing procedures for an entire region.

Reporting Structure: The Sr. Regional Design Manager reports into a higher level of leadership within AWS Infrastructure Services, likely a Director or VP overseeing regional design and capacity delivery. They will, in turn, lead teams of discipline leads and potentially individual contributors.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct and substantial impact on AWS's ability to scale its global infrastructure. By leading efficient, cost-effective, and reliable data center designs, the manager directly contributes to the company's capacity to serve millions of customers worldwide, maintain high service levels, and drive innovation in cloud computing. Their work underpins the reliability and performance of all AWS services.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to move into broader regional or global design leadership roles, overseeing larger teams or more complex projects.

• Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas of data center design (e.g., advanced cooling, power systems, automation) or transition into higher-level strategic planning roles.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Potential to move into related operational leadership roles within AWS Infrastructure Services, or into program management for large-scale infrastructure initiatives.

• Mentorship & Development: As a senior leader, there's an opportunity to mentor emerging talent, contribute to talent development programs, and shape the future of AWS's engineering workforce.

📝 Enhancement Note: Amazon, and AWS in particular, is known for providing significant opportunities for career advancement driven by performance and a willingness to take on increasing responsibility. The "raise the bar" mentality means that high performers are consistently challenged and rewarded with growth.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is primarily on-site, requiring presence in either the Seattle, WA or Herndon, VA offices. Amazon's office environments are typically modern, designed to foster collaboration and productivity.

Office Location(s):

• Seattle, Washington: A major tech hub with a strong presence of Amazon corporate offices.

• Herndon, Virginia: Located in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, another significant tech and government-contracting region. Both locations offer access to major transportation networks and amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Offices are equipped with meeting rooms, collaboration areas, and workstations designed to facilitate teamwork and brainstorming.

• Technology Access: Employees have access to cutting-edge technology, high-speed networks, and comprehensive IT support necessary for managing complex design projects.

• Team Interaction: The role involves frequent interaction with a diverse, global team of engineers and project managers, both virtually and in person. Regular team meetings, design reviews, and cross-functional discussions are integral.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour workweek is typical, the demands of managing regional infrastructure projects in a fast-paced environment like AWS may require occasional flexibility to meet critical deadlines, respond to escalations, or participate in global team syncs across different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is typical for roles involving significant team leadership, cross-functional coordination, and direct oversight of critical infrastructure planning. The emphasis on a collaborative environment aligns with Amazon's approach to fostering innovation and rapid problem-solving.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Recruiter Screen: A preliminary call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and alignment with the role's core requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Focus on leadership experience, project management skills, technical depth in data center design, and understanding of the AWS environment. Expect behavioral questions aligned with Amazon's Leadership Principles.

• Technical Panel Interviews: Typically 3-5 interviews with peers, senior engineers, and potentially stakeholders from operations or construction. These will delve into specific technical challenges, design methodologies, problem-solving approaches, and your experience with data center infrastructure.

• Bar Raiser Interview: An interview conducted by a trained Amazonian from outside the direct hiring team, focused on assessing the candidate's ability to "raise the bar" for the organization and ensure cultural fit and long-term potential.

• Final Debrief: The hiring team convenes to discuss all feedback and make a hiring decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Achievements: For each project or initiative presented, clearly state the impact using metrics (e.g., % cost reduction, % schedule improvement, number of designs standardized, error rate reduction).

• Structure Case Studies: For leadership and process improvement examples, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or a similar structured approach. Clearly articulate the problem, your role, the actions taken, and the measurable outcomes.

• Highlight Leadership: Showcase examples of how you've led, mentored, and motivated multi-disciplinary teams, managed consultants, and influenced stakeholders.

• Demonstrate Process Thinking: Present examples of how you've developed, refined, or implemented design processes, standardization efforts, or automation solutions.

• Tailor to AWS: Briefly reference how your experience and approach align with AWS's scale, pace, and customer-centric culture.

Challenge Preparation:

• Scenario-Based Questions: Be prepared for hypothetical scenarios related to managing design conflicts, handling escalations from operations, dealing with budget/schedule constraints, or implementing new design standards.

• Leadership Principles Deep Dive: Understand each of Amazon's Leadership Principles thoroughly and prepare specific examples from your career that demonstrate your proficiency in each.

• Technical Design Scenarios: Review common data center design considerations, such as power distribution, cooling systems, structural integrity, and site selection criteria. Be ready to discuss trade-offs and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Amazon's interview process is rigorous and designed to assess not only technical competence but also cultural fit and leadership potential. A well-prepared candidate with a strong portfolio that clearly articulates quantifiable achievements and leadership impact will have a significant advantage.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Project Management Software: Proficiency with tools for schedule management, risk tracking, and resource allocation (e.g., Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, Smartsheet, or similar).

• CAD/BIM Software: Familiarity with industry-standard tools for design and documentation, such as AutoCAD, Revit, or similar, though direct design may be managed by others.

• Collaboration Platforms: Extensive use of internal AWS collaboration tools (e.g., Chime, Slack, internal wikis) for communication, documentation, and team coordination.

• Document Management Systems: Experience with systems for organizing, storing, and retrieving design documents, specifications, and submittals.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Ability to interpret data from various sources to track project performance (schedule, cost, quality) and identify trends or areas for improvement. Familiarity with Excel for analysis and reporting.

• Business Intelligence Tools: Experience with BI platforms (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, or AWS's own QuickSight) for creating dashboards and visualizing key performance indicators.

• Metrics Tracking Systems: Familiarity with systems or processes for establishing, tracking, and reporting on project and team performance metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• Internal AWS Systems: While not a traditional CRM role, understanding how design integrates with broader AWS infrastructure management and capacity planning systems is key.

• Workflow Automation Tools: Experience identifying opportunities for and potentially implementing workflow automation to streamline design processes, approvals, or documentation.

• Integration Concepts: Understanding how different systems (design, procurement, construction, operations) need to integrate to ensure efficient data flow and project execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on managing design for a large-scale, technology-driven organization like AWS, proficiency with standard project management and collaboration tools is essential. The ability to leverage data analytics for performance tracking and to champion automation for process efficiency will be highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Obsession: All design decisions and project outcomes are scrutinized through the lens of customer impact, ensuring reliability, scalability, and cost-effectiveness for AWS users.

• Ownership: Taking full responsibility for the design process and its outcomes, from initial concept through implementation and operational handover, embracing challenges and driving them to resolution.

• Invent and Simplify: A constant drive to find innovative solutions and simplify complex processes, eliminating unnecessary work and seeking more efficient ways to design and build data centers.

• Bias for Action: A proactive approach to problem-solving and decision-making, even with incomplete information, prioritizing speed and agility in a rapidly evolving environment.

• Deliver Results: A focus on achieving tangible outcomes, meeting aggressive schedules, and maintaining impeccable quality standards that "raise the bar" for the entire organization.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with operations, construction, procurement, and other engineering disciplines is paramount. Designs must be practical for operations and buildable by construction.

• Data-Driven Communication: Utilizing data and metrics to inform discussions, resolve conflicts, and gain alignment across diverse stakeholder groups.

• Feedback-Rich Environment: An openness to constructive feedback from peers, team members, and stakeholders to continuously improve designs and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in and contributing to knowledge-sharing initiatives, documenting best practices, and mentoring team members to elevate collective expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture is heavily influenced by Amazon's Leadership Principles. Candidates should demonstrate a strong alignment with these principles, particularly those related to customer focus, ownership, innovation, and execution. The collaborative style is essential for navigating the complexity of large-scale infrastructure projects.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapid Growth & Scale: Managing design for an exponentially growing infrastructure footprint requires constant adaptation, innovation, and efficiency to keep pace with demand.

• Global Consistency vs. Regional Nuance: Balancing the need for standardized global designs with specific regional requirements (e.g., building codes, seismic activity, climate).

• Technical Complexity: Overseeing designs for cutting-edge data center technologies while mitigating risks associated with new implementations.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Navigating diverse priorities and requirements from various internal and external stakeholders, including operations, legal, and regulatory bodies.

• Speed to Market Pressures: Delivering high-quality designs under tight deadlines in a highly competitive cloud market.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepening Data Center Expertise: Access to cutting-edge technologies, research, and development in data center design, power, cooling, and automation.

• Leadership Skill Enhancement: Opportunities for leadership training, mentorship from senior executives, and managing increasingly complex teams and projects.

• Industry Exposure: Engaging with industry conferences, vendors, and regulatory bodies to stay abreast of best practices and emerging trends.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gaining exposure to and understanding of other critical functions within AWS Infrastructure Services, such as operations, supply chain, and construction management.

• Formal Education/Certification Support: Potential for company support for pursuing advanced certifications or relevant professional development programs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to working at the forefront of cloud infrastructure development. Amazon's commitment to employee development means that these challenges are framed as opportunities for significant professional growth and skill acquisition.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting design requirements from different stakeholder groups (e.g., operations vs. construction vs. cost). How did you achieve alignment and what was the outcome?" (Focus on negotiation, data-driven decisions, and customer obsession).

• "Walk me through your process for identifying and implementing standardization or automation within a complex engineering workflow. What metrics did you use to measure success?" (Highlight bias for action, invent and simplify, and deliver results).

• "How do you manage and motivate a multi-disciplinary team of engineers and external consultants to deliver high-quality results under tight deadlines?" (Emphasize leadership, ownership, and raising the bar). Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do Amazon's Leadership Principles resonate with your own leadership philosophy and work style?" (Be prepared to provide specific examples for each relevant LP).

• "Describe your experience working in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. How do you prioritize competing demands to ensure critical projects are delivered on time and to spec?" (Demonstrate bias for action and deliver results).

• "How have you contributed to fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement within your teams?" (Showcase invent and simplify and ownership). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Key Projects: Choose 2-3 impactful projects that best showcase your leadership, project management, design oversight, and process improvement capabilities.

• Quantify Everything: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your specific actions, and the measurable results using numbers (e.g., "reduced design cycle time by X%", "managed a budget of $Y million," "implemented Z new standard leading to Y% fewer RFIs").

• Focus on Process & Impact: Explain not just what you did, but how you did it and the downstream impact on AWS's ability to scale, operate efficiently, and serve customers reliably.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your technical contributions, decision-making rationale, and challenges encountered during your portfolio projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Amazon's interview process is designed to be challenging and thorough. Candidates should prepare by deeply understanding the Leadership Principles, having concrete examples ready for behavioral questions, and being able to articulate their project contributions with data and strategic insight.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Sr. DC Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the official Amazon Jobs portal via the provided URL.

• Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume to highlight experience in data center design, mission-critical facilities, project management, team leadership, and process improvement. Use keywords identified in this job description and Amazon's Leadership Principles.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 key projects that best demonstrate your expertise in managing complex design lifecycles, leading multi-disciplinary teams, driving standardization, and achieving measurable results. Be ready to present these using a structured approach (e.g., STAR method) with quantifiable achievements.

• Research AWS Infrastructure: Familiarize yourself with AWS's global infrastructure, its commitment to innovation, and its core values. Understand the scale and complexity of their data center operations.

• Practice Leadership Principle Responses: Prepare specific, impactful examples for each of Amazon's Leadership Principles, demonstrating how you embody them in your professional conduct.

• Anticipate Technical Questions: Review common data center design challenges, project management methodologies, and best practices for managing external consultants and regulatory bodies.

⚠️ 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.