The posting
About Nscale
Nscale is the vertically integrated AI cloud engineered for AI. We own and operate the full stack — energy, data centres, GPU superclusters, orchestration, and AI services — delivering high-performance infrastructure to AI-native companies, enterprises, and governments across Europe and the US. We are deploying GPU capacity at hyperscale, operating some of the densest, most advanced AI infrastructure in the world.
At Nscale, our Design & Engineering team turns empty data halls into precisely organized, fully documented AI infrastructure environments at the pace and scale our portfolio demands. We thrive on a culture of relentless innovation, ownership, and accountability, where every team member takes pride in their work and drives it with excellence and urgency. As an Nscaler, you'll build trust through openness and transparency, where everyone is inspired to do their best work. If you join our team, you'll be contributing to building the technology that powers the future.
About the Role
The Senior Manager, Data Hall Design owns the data hall design function across every active Nscale program in the Americas. You'll build and lead a team of Leads and Designers, define the design standards and frameworks they work within, and be accountable for the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of every drawing package, cabling plan, patch matrix, BOM, and DCIM record the team issues. These outputs go directly to construction, installation, procurement, and Operations, so you'll put the systems, reviews, and resourcing in place to get them right the first time.
This role is for someone who combines deep, hands-on data hall design experience with the judgment to lead people and programs. You know GPU compute environments, high-density fiber, and InfiniBand and Ethernet fabric physical design well enough to review your team's work in detail, and you're equally comfortable planning capacity across multiple programs, negotiating priorities with network engineering, MEP, procurement, and construction, and representing data hall design to senior leadership.
What You'll be Doing
Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Data Hall Design Leads and Designers, setting clear expectations and growth paths, running regular performance reviews, and giving direct, constructive feedback on drawing quality and delivery. Plan team capacity across all active programs, assigning Designers and balancing workload against construction schedules. Hire and onboard new team members as the portfolio grows, and manage external design partners or contractors where needed. Own Nscale's data hall design standards, including layout templates, rack elevation standards, cabling and fiber conventions, labeling and color coding, and drawing formats. Develop reference designs for GPU cluster deployments (e.g. NVIDIA DGX/HGX and SuperPOD-scale builds) that can be adapted to site-specific conditions, and feed lessons learned from each program back into the standards library. Maintain approved vendor lists and equipment catalogs in partnership with procurement and network engineering. Set the design approach for each program, including rack placement strategy, row orientation, aisle containment, cooling zone boundaries, and density planning for liquid-cooled racks. Review and approve data hall layouts, rack elevations, cabling plans, fiber tray layouts, and patch matrices before issued-for-construction, and own design change control through construction. Coordinate with MEP engineering so layouts reflect power feed locations, cooling supply and return, and structural load limits. Oversee structured cabling and fiber design standards, including fiber and connector types, run lengths, slack management, bend radius, and tray capacity. Partner with network engineering to translate logical designs into physical GPU fabric layouts, including InfiniBand rail topologies, spine-leaf Ethernet, and storage networks, and resolve complex cabling and topology conflicts escalated by the team. Own BOM quality across all programs, approve equipment substitutions, and track long-lead items such as optical transceivers, high-speed cables, and GPU server components, escalating procurement risks early. Set DCIM documentation standards and ensure records are complete, validated, and ready for import into operational systems at turnover, working with Operations to close gaps between as-designed and as-built documentation. Act as the senior data hall design point of contact for program managers, construction partners, customers, and senior leadership, reporting design status, risks, and resourcing across programs. Set and monitor RFI response standards, and step in on critical field issues during construction and commissioning.
About You
10+ years of experience in data center design, IT infrastructure planning, or structured cabling design, including 3+ years leading a design team. Proven delivery of multiple data halls from concept through construction and handoff to Operations, ideally across several programs at once. Deep understanding of data center rack layouts (GPU servers, network switches, storage, and supporting hardware) and how layout decisions affect cooling, power, cabling, and operations. Strong structured cabling and high-density fiber design expertise, with the ability to review cabling plans and patch matrices in detail. Solid knowledge of network topology concepts, including spine-leaf, ToR switching, InfiniBand, and Ethernet-based data center networks, and their physical implementation. Experience creating and governing design standards, templates, and review processes. Expert with AutoCAD, Visio, or equivalent tools, and comfortable reviewing BIM/Revit models. Experience owning BOMs for data center hardware and cabling, and working closely with procurement on long-lead items. A strong people leader who hires well, develops talent, and holds a high bar for accuracy. A clear communicator who can represent design to senior leadership, customers, and construction partners.
Nice to Have
Experience designing and delivering large-scale GPU environments such as NVIDIA DGX/HGX, SuperPOD, or equivalent AI compute infrastructure. Deep familiarity with InfiniBand physical design and GPU rail topologies. Experience with DCIM platforms such as NetBox, Nlyte, or Sunbird, including setting documentation standards. Knowledge of direct liquid cooling or immersion cooling physical integration at high rack densities. Experience at a hyperscale data center operator or AI cloud provider, ideally across multiple regions. BICSI RCDD, BICSI DCDC, or equivalent cabling or data center certification. Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Network Engineering, Information Technology, or a related technical discipline. Equivalent experience with a strong track record of leading data hall design delivery will also be considered.
Why this role matters
This role is central to how Nscale scales. Every data hall we deliver depends on accurate, well-governed design: construction and installation teams build from your team's documentation, procurement orders directly from your BOMs, and Operations relies on your DCIM records from day one. Success means drawing packages issued on time and to standard across the portfolio, standards and reference designs that measurably speed up each new program, minimal RFIs and rework in the field, and a team that keeps growing in capability. As the portfolio expands, you'll shape how data hall design is organized, standardized, and delivered across regions, with a path toward broader Design & Engineering leadership.
What We Can Offer You
At Nscale, you'll find a collaborative, supportive, and innovative environment where your contributions spark real impact. We're building something extraordinary, and we want you at the core.
Highly competitive package, including base salary and equity, with reviews every 12 months. Join one of the fastest-growing tech startups: your chance to push boundaries, collaborate with brilliant minds, and make your mark on cutting-edge AI. Expect a dynamic progression plan tailored to your ambitions. Grow by trying new things, leading, challenging the status quo, and owning your impact, always with our full support. Human-first flexibility. We treat you as humans first. Our flexible workplace trusts Nscalers to deliver, giving you the autonomy to shape your day around life's moments. Join our thriving remote-first team. Geography is no barrier to impact or connection. We build seamless virtual collaboration, empowering you wherever you work.
Equal Opportunities Statement
At Nscale, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse, and equitable workplace. We believe that a variety of perspectives enrich our work environment, and we encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. We strongly encourage applications from people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, parents, carers, and people from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
If there's anything we can do to accommodate your specific situation, please let us know.
The range below reflects the base salary for the position. Actual compensation may vary based on job-related factors such as skill set, experience, education, and location. In addition to base salary, this role may be eligible for bonus, equity, and/or commission programs. Nscale may offer a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, flexible paid time off, parental leave, and retirement plan participation.
Salary Range
$150,000—$210,000 USD
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