Principal Engineer, Data Center Architect

Drive the future of DigitalOcean's physical infrastructure footprint, from air cooling through to 800VDC liquid rack scale systems. As a Principal Datacenter Architect on the Design team, you own the forward-looking data center architecture, keeping a focus on where the industry is going, from air to liquid to 800VDC rack scale systems, and working with peers who own the architectures for the server, network, and storage services.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define and own DigitalOcean's reference architectures for next-generation data center environments, navigating shifts in technology, networking topologies, and AI/ML hardware roadmaps to keep facility designs future-proofed.
• Serve as the primary technical stakeholder for Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems across both leased colocation and build-to-suit environments.
• Provide leadership and guidance as a primary stakeholder in the new site selection process.
• Architect end-to-end cooling designs with vendors and partner teams to support a wide variety of CPU, GPU, and other emerging server hardware.
• Architect end-to-end power topologies to support diverse hardware across medium to ultra-high-density rack deployments, moving from 415VAC to 800VDC.
• Lead proof-of-concept initiatives for emerging infrastructure technologies and transition successful pilots into global deployment standards.
• Guide leadership through the implications of non-traditional facilities and emerging technologies such as behind-the-meter power and modular DC designs, weighing business, commercial, and operational tradeoffs.
• Mentor engineers at all levels and represent DigitalOcean in the broader community through conferences, papers, and presentations.

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in data center architecture, infrastructure engineering, or a related field, with a track record of owning designs at scale.
• Deep expertise in MEP systems for both leased colocation and build-to-suit data center environments.
• Strong working knowledge of cooling technologies across the spectrum, from air cooling to direct liquid cooling and rack-scale liquid systems, for high-density CPU and GPU deployments.
• Familiarity with AI/ML hardware roadmaps and the ability to translate evolving server, networking, and accelerator trends into future-proofed facility designs.
• Knowledge of emerging approaches such as behind-the-meter power and modular/prefabricated data center designs.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, including mentoring engineers and representing the company externally.