Design Management Intern, NA

Vantage is committed to being a workplace of inclusion, equity, respect and acceptance. We celebrate diversity and intentionally seek out opportunities to learn from one another's experience.

Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world's well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

Development & Engineer Department

The Design Engineering North America (NA) comprises of a skilled team of Design Managers, Program Managers, and experts in Engineering and Architecture. Our collective expertise is harnessed to create customized adaptations of the cutting-edge Vantage Data Center prototype that perfectly cater to the unique requirements of our customers. Throughout this process, close collaboration takes place with Sales, Operations, and management teams. The Design Engineering team also maintains a close partnership with the Construction team, working together to craft a seamlessly integrated design that ensures the efficient execution of new and existing standards and designs.

At the heart of our vision is the creation of critical infrastructure that facilitates human connection, creativity, sharing, and collective aspirations. Our mission revolves around providing our Customers with consistently exceptional facilities swiftly and enjoying the process while doing so. This dedication extends to our Customers, Construction teams, and Site Operations teams.

What truly sets Vantage apart is our commitment to empowering our technical staff. Our team has the ability to align long-term operational sustainability with value engineering and cost metrics, ultimately delivering products that are in sync with our corporate objectives. This approach empowers each member of the team to make impactful decisions and achieve significant results.

The Design Engineering team guides the development and operation of best-in-class data centers for hyperscale customers by providing business-minding Design and Engineering expertise.

Vision: To provide a sustainable, agile design program that enables precision development and effortless operation of the preeminent, safest data center program in North America.

Mission: Design a program to enable safe and sustainable execution of data center construction and operation, at scale. With a relentless focus on cross-functional partner's success, to enable swift, agile, and decisive performance.

Position Overview

This role is based in Ashburn, VA

Vantage is seeking a Design Management Intern for North America to join our Design Engineering team, leading design and engineering efforts. In this role, you will champion product performance and technical excellence, managing multifunctional teams of skilled engineers focused on critical data center infrastructure systems.

You will take ownership of the entire design life cycle for both existing and new developments in your region. Your responsibilities will encompass the coordination of design documentation review and approval, oversight of both traditional, design-bid-build and design-build contractor teams. Serving as the point of contact for department leaders involved in the project cycle, you will facilitate seamless collaboration between Sales and Solutions Engineering, EH&S, New Site Development, Construction, Design Engineering SMEs (Subject Matter Experts), Sustainability, Automation & Controls, Security, IT, and Operations. Collaboration and coordination with other regional managers and directors, as well as the Innovation Engineering team, Policy, Compliance, and Customer Experience will ensure uniformity in product delivery.

You will lead the regional change management process and work in close relationship with the respective stakeholders to ensure concise communication and quick decision making, tracking programmatic feedback and lessons learned.

In alliance with your team, you'll tackle intricate engineering challenges and guide their resolution. Upholding and enhancing existing standards for each project, you will conduct engineering analyses to balance capital and operational expenditures. Your role will encompass interfacing with internal customers throughout the design and construction phases, assuming responsibility for the technical relationship. You will provide comprehensive technical engineering guidance to ensure alignment with project requirements, engineering standards, codes, and specifications, demonstrating an in-depth grasp of engineering principles relevant to state-of-the-art data center design.

Essential Job Functions

Process Improvement:

• Track engineering studies and submittal deliverables in coordination with internal Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).

• Assist in the development of design, procurement, and construction processes to streamline Operations delivery, including change management with consultants and contractors.

Quality Assurance and Risk Management:

• Provide construction administration support to project teams, anticipating and addressing design and engineering risks.

• Identify quality improvement opportunities and report on quality metrics to drive high standards in project execution.

Project Oversight:

• Attend OAC (Owner Architect Contractor) meetings and track action items.

• Work with internal and external design teams ensuring their collaboration aligns with design and sustainability goals.

• Actively track design-related RFIs, design deviations, and change requests on-site and driving timely responses from internal and external SMEs

Design Coordination:

• Coordinate with SMEs to verify the completion of project deliverables, tracking adherence to design standards and reporting deviations as needed.

• Work with the regional development team, Sales, and Solution Engineering to ensure design compliance with lease agreements and customer specifications.

Change Management and Process Support:

• Lead change management requests through Vantage's standard change management process, ensuring proper documentation and communication.

Procurement and Vendor Management:

• Support procurement and regional project leads in the selection of local partners for design development, contract oversight, and Value Engineering (VE) implementation with the General Contractor (GC) and Engineer of Record (EOR).

Benchmarking and Quality Standards:

• Drive benchmarking initiatives for internal regional alignment and ensure the highest design and construction quality standards.

Additional Duties:

Handle additional duties as assigned by Management.

Job Requirements

Education:

• Currently enrolled in a 4-year university or Graduate Student pursuing a degree in Construction Management, Planning, Architecture, Engineering or a related technical field.

• Alternative, relevant education or experience such as military service or exceptional experience/training may be considered.

Experience:

• Rising Junior or Senior status

• Graduate Student

• Minimum GPA requirement - 3.0

• Previous Internship experience preferred but not required

Skills:

• Problem-solving mindset with a focus on continuous improvement.

• Positive and proactive attitude.

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

• Proficient with all aspects of modern working practice and tools, including MS Office, MS Teams.

• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and ability to track multiple deliverables.

• Basic understanding of construction documents, quality management, and project coordination.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with design software (e.g., AutoCAD or Revit) is a plus.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams.

Physical Demands and Special Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop or kneel; talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Additional Details

• Hourly Range: $20.00 - $25.00

• It is estimated that the internship will run from June 2, 2025, to August 15, 2025.

We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other's strengths and respecting each other's weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.

Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community.

Don't meet all the requirements? Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values.

Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Vantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers.