Principal Architect – Data Centres

Overview

As Principal Architect you drive design leadership on large, multi-disciplinary infrastructure projects, with a focus on data centres. You will coordinate cross-disciplinary teams to deliver accurate, compliant design information across project stages. You’ll manage design quality under tight deadlines and mentor junior staff, while presenting proposals to clients. This role combines technical excellence with design management to support scalable, regulated projects and cross-border delivery.

Pay / Benefits

• hybrid work options
• industry-leading technology and thinking
• global, inclusive employer culture
• equal opportunity employer
• Disability Confident employer
• Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office

Responsibilities

• Lead design within a multidisciplinary team and coordinate outputs across architecture and engineering disciplines
• Ensure governance is followed from bid to delivery and manage design information quality
• Present to clients and support proposals for new builds, refurbishments, and upgrades
• Review and approve drawings, liaise across design and drafting teams, and deliver design packages of varying complexity
• Ensure compliance with codes, permits, and discipline standards; manage vendor/subcontractor documentation
• Utilize CDE platforms for document control and coordination; mark up drawings in Adobe PDF; operate Microsoft Office
• Line-manage and mentor less experienced team members; assume lead verification and BR PD duties
• Support fee proposals, bids, and monitor project hours; manage resources and schedules
• On-site interface management between design and site teams to provide timely design support
• Drive technical excellence initiatives and staff development; promote a collaborative, creative culture
• Keep latest software and digital techniques up to date to boost productivity
• Ensure project budgets are understood and adhered to during design and bid phases
• Assist in business development activities and client relationship building

Key requirements

• Fully Qualified Architect (ARB Registered) with experience on large multi-disciplinary projects, preferably in infrastructure
• Willingness to work across infrastructure design areas: Surface Transport, Rail, Aviation, Education, Health Care, Science, Logistics
• Degree qualification; Diploma or Masters preferred but not essential
• Knowledge of UK Building Systems, Standards and Regulations; familiarity with building contracts is helpful
• IT literate; CAD software and Microsoft Office proficiency
• Ability to manage busy workloads and meet deadlines; clear work history and ongoing professional development
• Preferred: ARB registration (or equivalent), RIBA Part 3 or Part 2 (or equivalent)
• Availability to travel within UK, Ireland, and Europe

• Persuasion and negotiation with clients and stakeholders
• Mentoring and leadership of junior staff
• Effective collaboration within multi-disciplinary teams
• CAD software
• CDE platforms for document control and coordination
• Adobe PDF mark-up; Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Teams)

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