Special Projects Design Project Manager

About Switch

At Switch, we don't just design, build and operate data centers—we are enabling the technology of the future. Led by Founder & CEO, Rob Roy, we believe in revolutionary innovation, operational excellence and the principle of karma. Switch is where talented people come together to EVOLVE the digital world.

We believe that innovation isn't just about technology—it's about the people, culture, and purpose that make it happen. Every Switch team member contributes to a mission greater than themselves: to create the world's most advanced digital infrastructure that powers the progress of humanity.

The Role: Special Projects Design Project Manager

As a Special Projects Design Project Manager, you will lead the planning, coordination, and execution of design activities for projects assigned to the Special Projects team. You will manage design from early concept through issued-for-construction documents and support project execution through turnover and closeout.

You will coordinate architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, vendors, and internal teams to ensure designs meet operational needs, project schedules, budgets, and Switch standards. This role requires strong design management, technical judgment, and the ability to identify risks early while keeping multiple complex projects moving forward.

This position reports to the Special Projects Senior Technical Manager.

What You'll Do

• Lead multiple design projects from concept development through issued-for-construction documents and project execution.
• Establish project design scope, objectives, deliverables, schedules, and budget requirements.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary design activities across electrical, mechanical, civil, structural, architectural, and telecommunications disciplines.
• Manage architects, engineering consultants, and design partners to ensure quality, schedule adherence, and contract performance.
• Lead design review meetings and coordinate stakeholder comments, decisions, and resolutions.
• Review drawings, specifications, calculations, reports, and other design documents for completeness, accuracy, constructability, and alignment with project requirements.
• Ensure designs comply with applicable codes, permitting requirements, industry standards, and Switch requirements.
• Support data center expansions, retrofits, upgrades, migrations, infrastructure renewal, and capacity growth projects.
• Review consultant proposals, scopes of work, schedules, and fee estimates for alignment with project objectives.
• Lead constructability reviews and identify opportunities to reduce execution risk and improve long-term reliability.
• Evaluate value engineering options while protecting design intent, reliability, maintainability, and project objectives.
• Maintain design schedules, track milestones, and communicate risks or delays that may affect delivery.
• Support project budgeting and cost estimating during planning and design.
• Review design changes, engineering revisions, and related impacts to cost, schedule, and operations.
• Support procurement through review of equipment specifications, technical requirements, and vendor submittals.
• Identify design, constructability, schedule, cost, and operational risks and develop practical mitigation plans.
• Maintain accurate project records, design logs, meeting notes, drawing revisions, and document control.
• Partner with Operations to ensure designs support long-term maintainability, efficiency, and reliability.
• Develop commissioning requirements, turnover criteria, readiness documentation, and deployment strategies before handoff to build and deployment teams.
• Support project closeout, document turnover, as-built reviews, and lessons learned.
• Communicate project status, risks, milestones, decisions, and required actions to leadership and project stakeholders.

What We're Looking For

• You manage complex design work with clear priorities, ownership, and follow-through.
• You communicate technical information clearly to engineers, contractors, Operations, and leadership.
• You identify design conflicts and project risks early and bring practical solutions.
• You balance quality, constructability, maintainability, schedule, and cost when making recommendations.
• You keep multiple projects organized without losing sight of critical details.
• You build productive relationships across Engineering, Construction, Operations, Procurement, consultants, and vendors.
• You use sound judgment when requirements are incomplete or priorities change.
• You maintain high standards for documentation, design quality, and operational readiness.
• You take ownership of project outcomes and follow issues through resolution.

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 5+ years of experience in design management, construction project management, engineering coordination, data center infrastructure, or a related field.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary engineering and construction design packages.
• Working knowledge of data center or mission-critical facility design, construction practices, and infrastructure systems.
• Ability to read and review engineering drawings, specifications, technical reports, and construction documents.
• Experience managing consultants, contractors, vendors, or other external project partners.
• Working knowledge of applicable building codes, permitting processes, and design standards.
• Strong project management, scheduling, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience managing multiple projects or workstreams at the same time.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with project management, design coordination, and document control tools.
• Ability to travel and support off-hours, weekends, commissioning activities, or extended work periods when project schedules require.
• Ability to work in active construction environments and wear required Personal Protective Equipment.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the role, including walking construction sites and occasionally lifting or carrying up to 30 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, or a related field.
• Experience supporting data center operations, mission-critical facilities, or large-scale infrastructure projects.
• Experience with AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam, BIM platforms, Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, Procore, or similar tools.
• Knowledge of commissioning, integrated systems testing, operational readiness, and turnover processes.
• Experience with lifecycle planning, maintainability, capacity planning, or infrastructure reliability.

We recognize that qualified candidates may not meet every preferred qualification. If your experience aligns with the core responsibilities of the role, we encourage you to apply.

Why Switch?

• A Culture of Karma – We are self-motivated by karma, ensuring our actions contribute to a positive, supportive and forward-thinking environment.
• Industry Leading Designs – Work with the most advanced data center technology on the planet and be a part of emerging technology development.
• Flexibility & Remote Opportunities – Whether in-office, hybrid, or fully remote, we offer the technology and support to keep teams connected and productive.
• Career Stability & Growth – In this expanding industry, we invest in our people, providing opportunities & advancement in a stable, growing company.
• Generous Benefits Package - Switch provides comprehensive coverage for you and your family that can be tailored to fit your personal needs, and more!

Join Us & Make a Difference

This is more than a job—it's a mission. If you're ready to be part of a culture that values innovation, karma, and limitless potential, we want to hear from you.

Apply Now and Let's Build the Future Together.

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