Data Center Standards Architect (AI)

Location: Hybrid; San Jose Office (Zanker) listed, with required presence in the San Francisco office 4 days per week. Tuesday is the designated work-from-home day.

Salary: $443,000–$590,000 annually

Company

Lambda builds AI cloud infrastructure for AI researchers, enterprises, and hyperscalers.

What you will do

• Define data center engineering standards for high-density AI and GPU infrastructure.
• Create reference architectures, design patterns, technical specifications, and deployment standards for data center builds.
• Develop standards libraries, design reviews, decision records, quality gates, commissioning criteria, acceptance checklists, and operational handoff frameworks.
• Establish technical standards for power, cooling, liquid cooling readiness, racks, cabling, network rooms, telemetry, DCIM/BMS integrations, physical security, and maintainability.
• Lead architecture reviews for new data centers, expansions, retrofits, and infrastructure programs.
• Advise senior leadership, build governance mechanisms, manage exceptions and risks, and mentor engineers and technical leaders.

Requirements

• Staff-, principal-, or director-level experience in data center, infrastructure, facilities, cloud, hardware, or related engineering.
• Experience designing standards, processes, tools, or governance systems across complex engineering organizations.
• Deep knowledge of data center power, cooling, rack layouts, networks, cabling, commissioning, operational readiness, and lifecycle management.
• Ability to balance engineering quality, delivery speed, cost, risk, reliability, and operational simplicity.
• Strong cross-functional influence and communication skills across engineering, operations, construction, supply chain, finance, and executive stakeholders.
• Track record of improving technical rigor, documentation, decision-making, reliability, maintainability, and operational excellence.

Nice to have

• Experience with AI, machine learning, GPU, HPC, hyperscale cloud, high-density compute, liquid cooling, or advanced thermal management.
• Experience with infrastructure standards across multiple sites, regions, colocation providers, or global data center portfolios.
• Familiarity with DCIM, BMS, EPMS, telemetry, observability, or workflow automation tools.
• Experience with internal platforms, dashboards, knowledge systems, technical governance forums, or architecture review boards.
• Background in electrical, mechanical, systems, network engineering, or infrastructure architecture.

Culture & Benefits

• AI infrastructure company founded in 2012 with more than 500 employees.
• Cash and equity compensation.
• Health, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents.
• Wellness and commuter stipends for select roles.
• 401(k) plan with a 2% company match for USA employees.
• Flexible paid time off.