Director of Design Engineering (Chicago)

Our client, a nationally recognized architecture and engineering practice, is seeking an experienced Mission Critical Design Leader to drive the planning, coordination, and execution of complex mission-critical projects across the United States.

This role is ideal for an architect or engineer who combines technical expertise, design leadership, and project delivery experience within the data center and critical infrastructure sector. The successful candidate will oversee multidisciplinary design teams, champion design excellence, and ensure projects are delivered to the highest standards of quality, performance, and reliability.

Working closely with market sector leadership and project management teams, this individual will play a key role in shaping innovative solutions for hyperscale data centers, advanced manufacturing facilities, industrial campuses, emergency operations centers, and other critical environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of large-scale mission-critical projects from concept through construction documentation.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams to develop integrated and high-performing design solutions.
• Ensure projects meet established goals for quality, schedule, budget, and technical performance.
• Drive design excellence while balancing operational requirements, resiliency, redundancy, security, and uptime objectives.
• Oversee project documentation, quality assurance processes, and technical standards compliance.
• Partner with project managers and market sector leaders to maintain project financial performance and mitigate risk.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, stakeholders, and project teams throughout project delivery.
• Support strategic growth initiatives and contribute to major project pursuits and business development efforts.
• Maintain clear communication across internal teams, clients, consultants, and project stakeholders.

Design Leadership Responsibilities

• Champion innovation and design excellence across mission-critical project types.
• Establish design vision and project direction from early planning through completion.
• Promote human-centered, resilient, and sustainable design solutions tailored to highly technical environments.
• Provide thought leadership within the mission-critical sector and contribute to industry best practices.
• Balance technical rigor with creative problem-solving to deliver exceptional project outcomes.
• Ensure consistent application of design standards and project delivery methodologies.

Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Lead, mentor, and develop multidisciplinary design teams.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and knowledge sharing.
• Support the growth of emerging project leaders and technical professionals.
• Encourage continuous learning, innovation, and professional development.
• Promote strong communication and coordination across offices, disciplines, and project teams.
• Strengthen organizational design culture through leadership and example.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with owners, developers, operators, and technical stakeholders.
• Translate complex operational and infrastructure requirements into practical design solutions.
• Present design concepts, technical strategies, and project recommendations to executive-level audiences.
• Act as a trusted partner throughout project planning, execution, and delivery.
• Support project pursuits, interviews, client presentations, and strategic growth initiatives.

Required Experience

• 10+ years of experience as a Project Architect, Project Engineer, Design Manager, or similar role.
• Minimum 5 years of experience delivering large-scale data center projects, including facilities exceeding 10 MW.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary design teams on mission-critical projects.
• Strong understanding of data center design principles, resiliency strategies, redundancy requirements, and critical infrastructure systems.
• Experience coordinating architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, and technology disciplines.
• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, or a related field.
• Licensed Architect (RA) or Professional Engineer (PE).
• Proficiency with Revit, CAD, and related design technologies.
• Strong understanding of project documentation, design coordination, and quality assurance processes.
• Excellent leadership, communication, presentation, and client-facing skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel periodically in support of projects and client engagements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing hyperscale data centers and mission-critical campuses.
• Background in advanced manufacturing, industrial facilities, warehouse distribution, or critical infrastructure projects.
• Strong understanding of integrated project delivery and collaborative design methodologies.
• Experience supporting business development efforts and major project pursuits.
• Knowledge of BIM coordination, digital delivery platforms, and emerging design technologies.
• Demonstrated success managing complex projects across multiple locations and stakeholders.
• Experience working directly with data center developers, operators, and end-users.