Data Center Construction Lead

At i3D.net http://i3D.net, we provide world-class global coverage with one of the most interconnected networks in the world. Our solutions focus on low latency, zero packet loss, and unmatched scalability, enabling seamless experiences for millions of users worldwide. With dedicated support, bespoke solutions, and cutting-edge technology, we deliver reliable, cost-efficient infrastructure that empowers game developers and businesses to scale effortlessly. Partnering with major names like Nvidia, DuckDuckGo, and Ubisoft, we are shaping the future of gaming and network technology. WHY YOUR ROLE MATTERS As Data Center Construction Lead, you'll provide technical leadership for the ground-up construction of a new data center, designed to host both traditional colocation and high-density computing. The project will be delivered with an engineering firm, a general contractor, and specialist vendors. This role is responsible for design assurance and owner representation, partnering closely with our internal team of experts to ensure successful project delivery. Acting as the owner's technical representative, you'll exercise independent judgment, accountability, and strong execution. You'll bring expertise in GPUs, liquid cooling, and critical facility systems, combined with broad data center knowledge to evaluate risks, coordinate technical stakeholders, and support effective decision-making during escalations. WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING - Design ownership: Own the ready-to-build design by validating that it meets business requirements and approve drawings before construction begins. - Constructive challenge: Challenge assumptions and identify more cost-effective, resilient, and future-ready solutions while design changes remain possible. - Technical validation: Validate cooling, power, redundancy, resilience, space, and structural requirements to support current and future high-density workloads. - Capacity planning: Define what must be built immediately versus provisioned for future growth, with a clear expansion path. - Site coordination: Coordinate day-to-day site construction activities, schedules, milestones, and stakeholder communication. - Quality and progress: Monitor progress, quality, and site readiness, ensuring installed work aligns with approved designs and addressing deviations early. - Risk management: Identify, escalate, and help resolve project risks, delays, and coordination issues. - Owner representation: Serve as the primary on-site representative for contractors and vendors, managing sequencing, logistics, and access. - Safety culture: Promote a strong safety culture and compliance with all site health and safety requirements. - Handover: Support commissioning, testing, turnover, operational readiness, documentation, training, punch-list management, and project closeout. TECH STACK On this project, you'll work across: - Power and cooling: Data center power distribution, cooling, redundancy, resilience, and capacity planning. - High density cooling: Direct-to-chip cooling, CDUs, and rear-door heat exchangers supporting GPU and high-density compute. - Structural and space: Floor loading, rack layouts, clearances, and access routes. - Commissioning: Commissioning and testing activities, including load bank and integrated systems testing. - Delivery: Long-lead equipment procurement, deployment sequencing, and schedule impacts. - Operation readiness: MOPs, infrastructure change management, and operational readiness processes. WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE IN THE FIRST YEAR - Design signed off with confidence: The ready-to-build design is validated against business requirements, and drawings are approved with open questions resolved rather than deferred. - Decisions made while they're still cheap: Assumptions are challenged early, and improvements to cost, resilience, and future readiness are made while design changes are still possible. - A build that matches the drawings: Installed work aligns with the approved design, and deviations are caught and corrected early rather than at handover. - Risks surfaced, not discovered: Project risks, delays, and coordination issues are identified and escalated in time for the team to act on them. - A clean turnover: Commissioning, testing, documentation, training, and punch-list closeout leave the facility ready to operate. YOUR PROFILE - Data Center Delivery: You have led or overseen multiple data center construction projects, including at least one completed build at or near the scale of our 10,000 m² facility. - Technical Authority: You have strong knowledge of data center power and cooling infrastructure and can review designs, challenge technical decisions, and hold engineers, contractors, and suppliers accountable. - Field Experience: You have led construction activities on site, coordinating contractors and suppliers, tracking delivery against requirements, and making informed construction decisions on behalf of the owner. - Composure under load: You manage competing priorities and multiple workstreams in a fast-paced setting. - Clear communicator: You bring excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills, and you are fluent in English. - Local context: Prior project experience in the Netherlands is a must. The ability to communicate in Dutch is considered a strong asset. NICE TO HAVES - High-density cooling: Hands-on experience delivering direct-to-chip cooling, CDUs, and rear-door heat exchangers. - Large-scale compute: Experience supporting large-scale compute deployments, including vendor coordination and deployment sequencing. - Live environments: Experience working in live, mission-critical environments. - Operational processes: Knowledge of MOPs, infrastructure change management, and operational readiness processes. LOCATION AND ENGAGEMENT - Based in Rotterdam: This role is based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, under a renewable annual contract. - On-site presence: Regular on-site presence is required, increasing during construction, commissioning, and handover phases. WHY JOIN US? - Global gaming customers: Join a company with over 20 years of success, working with gaming leaders like Ubisoft and Discord. - Build it from the ground up: Lead a greenfield facility from design assurance through commissioning and turnover, rather than taking over a finished plan. - Technical depth: Work at the front edge of high-density compute, liquid cooling, and critical facility systems. - Real ownership: Act as the owner's technical representative with the independence to challenge design decisions and hold vendors to standard. - Hands-on impact: Deliver infrastructure that supports high-performance gaming and digital experiences worldwide.