Principal Architect - Data Centres

Description

The company runs multidisciplinary projects for data centre clients across hyperscale, colocation and enterprise work in Europe.

The specialist data centre team is based in the UK and leads these projects. It works with local teams across Europe on localisation and permitting, and with global design teams that supply resource and capability.

The role suits an experienced Principal Architect with a strong technical background in large multidisciplinary design, ideally on data centres. You will collaborate well within architectural and engineering teams.

You will help produce and coordinate design information through all RIBA Stages, working closely with multidisciplinary teams to keep work accurate, compliant and of high quality.

You need strong technical design content with a CSA bias, plus skills in design management, digital technologies and design workflow. You will oversee design activity and output and deliver to demanding timelines and immovable deadlines.

The company is ranked 4th largest employer of architects worldwide in the World Architecture WA100 2025 survey, with over 1500 architects, and is number 10 in the AJ100. It employs around 7,500 multidisciplinary staff in the UK, offers architecturally led design services, and is currently expanding in the UK.

The company is a Fortune 500 infrastructure consultancy working across transport, buildings, water, new energy and the environment. Its Professional Services business had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025, and it has over 50,000 staff worldwide.

Responsibilities

• Lead design within a multidisciplinary team and help coordinate architectural and engineering outputs with discipline leads so they integrate.
• Review and approve drawings and design information, and liaise with design and drafting teams across disciplines.
• Deliver design packages of moderate to high complexity, and prepare reports and supporting data tables.
• Review and interpret documents from vendors, subcontractors and third-party designers.
• Make sure work complies with relevant codes, permits and discipline standards, and follows internal governance at bid stage and through delivery.
• Support design proposals and ideas for new build, refurbishment, compliance upgrades and expansion programmes.
• Present to clients and prospective clients.
• Use CDE platforms for document control and coordination, mark up drawings in Adobe PDF, and work confidently in Microsoft Office.
• Act as BR PD, using the company's standard proformas and procedures to demonstrate compliance.
• Lead verification once you are settled in the role and have the required sector and business experience.
• Line manage and mentor less experienced and lower grade team members.
• Support fee proposals and bids, and monitor hours spent on projects.
• Organise your own and others' work to meet deadlines, and make sure projects finish on time and meet the Design Brief and client requirements.
• Take responsibility for the correctness, accuracy and multidisciplinary coordination of your team's design documents, meeting the company's Technical Excellence standards.
• Manage the day-to-day work of practice teams, give key design input at early phases, and provide general design leadership throughout projects.
• Work with clients, contractors, local authority representatives and others, using persuasion and negotiation to resolve critical issues.
• Build teamwork and positive morale within a multidisciplinary team, and foster a creative culture in the practice.
• Make sound value judgements on corrective work that supports the design concept and performance goals.
• On projects on site, manage the interface between the design team and site team so design support arrives on time.
• Support Associate Directors and/or Directors with Technical Excellence initiatives, resource management (HR) and training (CPD).
• Help with resource forecasting and, where requested, business reporting.
• Develop staff through guidance, mentoring and leadership, using the latest software and digital techniques to raise productivity and identify training needs.
• Understand project management principles and work within budgets, including fees and designing to budget.
• Help assess potential new projects and competitions, support Associate Directors and/or Directors with bids, build professional relationships with clients, and support marketing and business development.

Requirements

• Fully qualified, ARB-registered architect with proven experience on large multidisciplinary projects, preferably in infrastructure.
• Willingness to work across infrastructure design areas under Associate Directors and/or Directors, including Surface Transport, Rail, Aviation, Education, Health Care, Science and Logistics.
• A degree, ideally with a Diploma or Masters, though a Masters is not essential.
• Some experience of building contracts will be helpful.
• Understanding of UK building systems, standards, regulations and construction types.
• IT literate, with knowledge of CAD software and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Teams, etc.).
• Ability to manage a busy workload and deadlines.
• A clear work history and proof of professional development and learning.
• Preferred: ARB registration, or an equivalent European or international qualification.
• Preferred: RIBA Part 3 or RIBA Part 2, or an equivalent European or international qualification.

Conditions

Hybrid working is available, from a company office, a remote location or a client site.

The preferred location is Belfast, given its position as a key hub of expertise. Dublin, Manchester and London are also suitable.

The role requires travel throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe.

All new hires must attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at a company office as a condition of employment, as part of the company's secure recruitment process.

The company is a Disability Confident Employer and will interview applicants with a disability or long-term condition who meet the essential criteria.

All information is kept confidential in line with EEO guidelines.

Benefits

• A wide range of compensation, benefits and well-being programmes for employees and their families.
• Access to industry-leading technology and thinking, and transformational work with big impact.
• Membership of a global, publicly traded firm with flexible working.