Principal Data Center Architect

Summary

Join ServiceNow as a Principal Data Center Architect, a senior individual contributor role responsible for setting technical direction and delivering strategic infrastructure outcomes across the global data center footprint. This role involves leading the evaluation, design, and operationalization of new data center spaces, demonstrating deep ownership of architectural decisions. Collaborate closely with cross-functional partners and manage third-party vendor relationships. The ideal candidate will think strategically, lead with influence, and anticipate future requirements, defining best practices and mentoring other engineers. This position requires significant travel (more than 50%). Success in this role demands technical depth, broad vision, calm execution under pressure, and the ability to align infrastructure design with long-term business goals.

Requirements

• Leverage or critically think about how to integrate AI into work processes, decision-making, or problem-solving
• 15 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 12 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 8 years experience; or equivalent experience in Data Center operations with a record of increasing role responsibility
• Possess broad, deep knowledge across multiple infrastructure domains; integrate cross-disciplinary insights
• Have deep knowledge of Data Center facilities and infrastructure including power, HVAC, structured cabling, rack management and security
• Possess working knowledge of networking/server architecture and hardware
• Have experience managing vendors in a Data Center environment
• Be process oriented and experienced in process development
• Possess strong analytical skills with the ability to multi-task several unrelated issues
• Be able to travel domestically and internationally
• Possess general documentation skills with particular emphasis on technical processes and standards
• Demonstrate proven ability to function independently in ambiguous situations with a record of success
• Possess excellent communication, customer focused, problem solving, conflict management, time management and interpersonal skills

Responsibilities

• Set technical direction and deliver strategic infrastructure outcomes across the ServiceNow global data center footprint
• Lead the evaluation, design, and operationalization of new commercial and regulated data center spaces
• Demonstrate deep ownership of architectural decisions spanning physical layout, power and cooling strategy, structured cabling, and network integration
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional partners, including TPMs, CNS, CapMan, HWSE, Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, DCO and DCS Engineering
• Serve as the first point of contact on new data center builds
• Manage third party integrator vendor relationships end-to-end
• Produce CAD-based floor layouts
• Lead cable infrastructure design and fit-out
• Ensure the environment is ready for network and capacity integration
• Regularly visit sites to track progress, produce detailed issue reports, and make real-time decisions to keep execution on course
• Think strategically, lead with influence across teams, and anticipate future requirements
• Define best practices, evolve standards, and mentor IC4 & IC5 engineers
• Align infrastructure design with long-term business goals

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge and experience in ITIL process methodologies