Role Overview
The Data Center Standards Architect is a principal-level technical leadership role based at Lambda in San Jose, offering remote flexibility with required onsite presence. This position suits an experienced engineering leader who wants to operate as a high-leverage individual contributor shaping the infrastructure systems of a fast-growing cloud environment.
Key Responsibilities
Define and establish data center engineering standards tailored for high-density AI and GPU infrastructure environments.
Create repeatable reference architectures, technical specifications, design patterns, and deployment standards to drive consistency and speed across builds.
Build the engineering operating system for data center scale, which includes standards libraries, decision records, quality gates, and commissioning criteria.
Translate deployment lessons learned into reusable mechanisms to ensure safer and more predictable future rollouts.
Establish technical standards encompassing power distribution, cooling, liquid cooling readiness, rack integration, and network infrastructure.
Lead cross-functional architecture reviews covering new data center designs, expansions, retrofits, and programs.
Build robust governance mechanisms for standards adoption, including exception management, risk reviews, and continuous improvement loops.
Serve as a technical advisor to senior leadership regarding data center strategy, resiliency, and scalability.
Requirements
Operated previously as a staff, principal, or director-level engineering leader within data center, infrastructure, facilities, or hardware engineering domains.
Proven experience designing and scaling governance systems, processes, or tools across a complex engineering organization.
Strong systems-thinking capability to turn ambiguous challenges into repeatable mechanisms.
Deep familiarity with data center infrastructure components such as power, cooling, rack layouts, cabling, and lifecycle management.
Ability to balance engineering excellence with delivery velocity, cost, risk, and operational simplicity.
Clear communication skills demonstrated through written standards, technical narratives, and executive recommendations.
Nice to Have
Background working with AI, machine learning, GPU, high-performance computing, or hyperscale cloud infrastructure.
Practical experience with high-density compute environments, liquid cooling, or advanced thermal management.
Familiarity with operating standards across multi-site global data center portfolios.
Experience utilizing DCIM, BMS, EPMS, telemetry platforms, or infrastructure observability tools.
Background in electrical, mechanical, systems, or network engineering.
Skills and Tools
Data center engineering and infrastructure architecture
Power distribution and cooling systems design
Infrastructure governance and standards creation
Cross-functional technical leadership and program management
Systems thinking and technical documentation
Salary and Benefits
Annual salary range between $443,000 and $590,000 USD
Generous cash and equity compensation packages
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents
Wellness and commuter stipends for select roles
401(k) plan featuring a 2 percent company match for USA employees
Flexible paid time off plan
About the Company
Founded in 2012, Lambda operates as a superintelligence cloud leader employing over 500 people. The organization builds AI infrastructure that serves tens of thousands of customers ranging from independent researchers to massive enterprises and hyperscalers.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should visit the official company careers page to submit their application for the Data Center Standards Architect position.
