Data architect Jobs in Santa Clara, CA

WHAT YOU DO AT AMD CHANGES EVERYTHING

At AMD, our mission is to build great products that accelerate next-generation computing experiences—from AI and data centers, to PCs, gaming and embedded systems. Grounded in a culture of innovation and collaboration, we believe real progress comes from bold ideas, human ingenuity and a shared passion to create something extraordinary. When you join AMD, you'll discover the real differentiator is our culture. We push the limits of innovation to solve the world's most important challenges—striving for execution excellence, while being direct, humble, collaborative, and inclusive of diverse perspectives. Join us as we shape the future of AI and beyond. Together, we advance your career.

THE ROLE

We are seeking a Data Center Lab Designer / Architect to lead technical evaluation, lab design strategy, infrastructure standards, and construction oversight for high-density data center environments. This role ensures site readiness, infrastructure scalability, and deployment execution align with AMD's performance, efficiency, and 3–5 year product roadmap requirements. The position also sets global lab design direction across business units and use cases.

THE PERSON

The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in large-scale data center infrastructure with strong design leadership and project execution skills.

• Devise strategies for complex, high-density compute environments
• Align cross-functional teams to deliver against active project milestones
• Establish global design standards across labs and business units
• Strong analytical thinking, executive communication, and stakeholder alignment skills.
• Plan infrastructure evolution aligned to future product roadmaps
• Identify risk early and drive mitigation through structured governance

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Data Center Due Diligence & Strategic Assessment

• Perform technical due diligence on new and existing facilities.
• Evaluate power availability, redundancy, cooling capacity, environmental risk, connectivity, and expansion potential.
• Review infrastructure drawings, layouts, and single-line diagrams.
• Assess design maturity (Concept through IFC) and contractor capability.
• Identify technical, schedule, and scalability risks with structured reporting.
• Validate infrastructure alignment with high-density and future roadmap requirements.

1. Lab Design & Global Standards Leadership

• Develop scalable, modular lab designs optimized for density, airflow, accessibility, and operational efficiency.
• Set direction and define global lab design standards across AMD BUs and use cases.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and evolving best practices.
• Integrate energy-efficient and sustainable design principles into all deployments.
• Utilize advanced modeling and simulation tools for airflow and thermal validation where required.

1. Infrastructure Strategy & Technology Integration

• Define corporate standards for power distribution, cooling systems, IT networking space, and rack density.
• Assess and implement high-density and liquid cooling readiness.
• Support integration of renewable energy strategies and advanced cooling technologies.
• Lead implementation and governance of DCIM, monitoring, and automation platforms.
• Ensure modular and POD-based expansion strategies support long-term scalability.

1. Construction Monitoring & Deployment Governance

• Monitor construction progress, quality, and contractor performance.
• Evaluate supply chain readiness for critical long-lead infrastructure components.
• Track execution against schedule and budget constraints.
• Lead design reviews and ensure alignment between intent and build.
• Oversee commissioning and validate operational readiness prior to deployment.

1. Stakeholder & Program Management

• Lead cross-functional collaboration across IT, Facilities, Real Estate, Procurement, and Product SMEs.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects while maintaining delivery timelines.
• Liaise with vendors and contractors to ensure installation timelines and standards adherence.
• Provide executive-level reporting on risk, budget, and schedule health.
• Maintain detailed documentation of specifications, assessments, and progress tracking.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Semiconductor or high-density data center design, construction, or operations.
• Proven experience in large-scale lab or data center architecture and build-outs.
• Strong background in infrastructure assessment and technical due diligence.
• Experience reviewing construction drawings and overseeing commissioning.
• Familiarity with high-density computing, cloud-scale environments, and high-performance networks.
• Experience with airflow modeling or thermal simulation tools.
• Knowledge of DCIM and infrastructure monitoring systems.
• Relevant data center certifications (DCCA, CDCDP, or similar) preferred.
• Excellent problem-solving, stakeholder management, and communication skills.

This role is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

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Benefits offered are described: AMD benefits at a glance.

AMD does not accept unsolicited resumes from headhunters, recruitment agencies, or fee-based recruitment services. AMD and its subsidiaries are equal opportunity, inclusive employers and will consider all applicants without regard to age, ancestry, color, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion, political and/or third-party affiliation, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates and will accommodate applicants' needs under the respective laws throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process.

AMD may use Artificial Intelligence to help screen, assess or select applicants for this position. AMD's “Responsible AI Policy” is available here.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.