How to apply for Deputy Design Manager I, Data Centers - Remote (U.S.)

About AECOM

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm with data center teams in the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. It works on high-profile, fast-paced data center projects for global clients. The company describes its work as building sustainable legacies through infrastructure and environmental solutions.

About the role

This role supports colocation and hyperscale data center projects from site due diligence and campus planning through design, construction documents, and construction administration. You will support project and design managers, handle coordination and documentation, and work toward serving as backup Design Manager. It is a hands-on, client-facing position with room to grow into more independent design management.

A typical day

A typical day may involve coordinating with project and design managers, updating project documentation, and supporting design delivery for colocation or hyperscale data center projects. You might join client or team calls, review construction documents, or help resolve coordination issues. Some days may include travel for client meetings or onsite collaboration sessions, scheduled in advance.

Who AECOM is looking for

• Has experience supporting project and design managers on data center projects within an A/E environment.
• Can coordinate and document complex data center projects from due diligence through construction administration.
• Is motivated to take on more independence and act as backup Design Manager.
• Is comfortable with a primarily remote schedule and occasional pre-scheduled travel for client meetings, milestones, or onsite sessions.

Tips for this application

• Name specific data center project types you have supported, such as colocation or hyperscale, and the phases you worked on (due diligence, campus planning, construction documents, construction administration).
• Describe your experience in an A/E environment and how you supported project and design managers, since the job description calls this out directly.
• Show you can handle coordination and documentation for complex projects. Give examples of documents, trackers, or coordination processes you managed.
• Address the remote aspect directly. State your location, your experience working remotely, and your willingness to travel occasionally for client meetings and key project milestones.
• Mention any global project exposure. AECOM works with teams around the world and global clients, so international coordination experience is relevant.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your direct experience on data center projects in an A/E environment, including the project phases you supported.', 'How you have supported project and design managers and where you took on independent responsibility.', 'Your ability to coordinate and document complex projects, with specific examples of tools or deliverables.', 'Your readiness to serve as backup Design Manager and your interest in upward career mobility in data center design management.']

Research before applying

• AECOM's data center consulting work and the regions where it operates (Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia).
• The difference between colocation and hyperscale data centers and how that affects design management.
• AECOM's office locations in the US to understand where you could be based and how remote work is handled.
• Recent AECOM data center projects or announcements to understand the scale and type of work you would support.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Walk through a data center project you supported from site due diligence through construction administration. What was your role at each phase?
• How have you supported a project or design manager on a complex A/E project? What did you handle independently?
• Describe your experience with colocation or hyperscale data center projects. What design or coordination challenges did you face?
• How do you manage coordination and documentation across remote teams and global clients?
• This role expects increasing independence and the ability to serve as backup Design Manager. How would you prepare for that, and what support would you need?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying without showing any data center project experience. The role requires experience supporting data center projects in an A/E environment.
• Ignoring the remote and travel requirements. If you are not willing to travel occasionally for client meetings and milestones, say so or reconsider applying.
• Describing only generic project management experience without naming the phases (due diligence, campus planning, construction documents, construction administration) or the A/E context.