Principal Engineer, Data Center Architect

Dive in and do the best work of your career at DigitalOcean. Journey alongside a strong community of top talent who are relentless in their drive to build the simplest scalable cloud. If you have a growth mindset, naturally like to think big and bold, and are energized by the fast-paced environment of a true industry disruptor, you’ll find your place here.  We value winning together—while learning, having fun, and making a profound difference for the dreamers and builders in the world. 

Drive the future of our physical infrastructure footprint, from Air Cooling through to 800VDC Liquid Rack Scale systems.

This role is a Principal Datacenter Architect on our Design team, this role owns the forward looking Data Center architecture. Keeping a focus on where the industry is going, from Air to Liquid to 800VDC rack scale systems. Working with peers on the Design team who own the architectures for the Server, Network and Storage services.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Defining and owning DigitalOcean's reference architectures for next-generation Data Center environments, navigating shifts in technology, networking topologies, and AI/ML hardware roadmaps to keep facility designs future-proofed.
• Serving as DigitalOcean's primary technical stakeholder for Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems across both leased colocation and build-to-suit environments, partnering with SMEs in the DC Ops organization.
• Provide leadership and guidance as a primary stakeholder in the new site selection process.
• Architecting end-to-end cooling designs with vendors and partner teams to support a wide variety of CPU, GPU, and other emerging server hardware.
• Architecting end-to-end power topologies with vendor teams to support diverse hardware across medium to ultra-high-density rack deployments, moving from 415VAC to 800VDC.
• Leading proof-of-concept (PoC) initiatives for emerging infrastructure technologies and transitioning successful pilots into global deployment standards.
• Guiding leadership through the implications of non-traditional data center facilities and emerging technologies such as behind-the-meter (BTM) power, to modular DC designs. Working with internal teams to weigh the business, commercial, and operational risks and tradeoffs.
• Mentor engineers at all levels and contribute to a culture of technical excellence, inclusivity, and impact.
• Represent DigitalOcean in the broader community attending conferences, contributing to papers and presentations.

What We’ll Expect From You:

• 10+ years of experience in data center architecture, infrastructure engineering, or a related field, with a track record of owning designs at scale.
• Deep expertise in MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) systems for both leased colocation and build-to-suit data center environments.
• Strong working knowledge of cooling technologies across the spectrum—from air cooling to direct liquid cooling and rack-scale liquid systems—for high-density CPU and GPU deployments.
• Familiarity with AI/ML hardware roadmaps and the ability to translate evolving server, networking, and accelerator trends into future-proofed facility designs.
• Knowledge of emerging and non-traditional infrastructure approaches such as behind-the-meter (BTM) power and modular/prefabricated data center designs.
• Demonstrated ability to lead proof-of-concept initiatives and scale successful pilots into global deployment standards.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, partnering with technical and business teams along with external vendors and partners.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, including mentoring engineers and representing the company externally at conferences and through technical papers.

Compensation Range:

• $184,000 - $231,000

*This is a hybrid role

JR: 2026-7832

#LI-Hybrid

Why You’ll Like Working for DigitalOcean

• We innovate with purpose. You’ll be a part of a cutting-edge technology company with a high-growth trajectory, who are proud to simplify cloud and AI so builders can spend more time creating software that changes the world. As part of our team, you’ll embody our "Shark" mindset: bold, ambitious, and scrappy. You'll lead with a bias for action and take true ownership of our products, customer success, and team culture.
• We prioritize career development. At DigitalOcean, you’ll do the best work of your career. You will join a community of exceptional talent, collaborating closely with some of the brightest and most interesting people in the industry. We are a high-performance and fast-paced organization that will always challenge you to think big. Our talent development team prioritizes your professional development and provides resources to support your growth. We provide employees with reimbursement for relevant conferences, training, and education, subject to company policy. 
• We care about your well-being. We take a comprehensive approach to our total rewards packages because we know different things drive different people. Our benefits are designed to support you and may include flexible time off, local team meetups, and mental health and well being support. Our benefits philosophy is consistent globally, but specific benefits and eligibility vary by location to reflect local needs and regulations.
• We reward our employees. The salary range for this position is based on market data, relevant years of experience, and skills. Eligible employees may also receive equity compensation, which may include a new hire equity grant and, in participating countries, the opportunity to participate in our Employee Stock Purchase Program. Equity awards are subject to approval and the terms of the applicable plan.
• Non-sales roles: In addition to base salary, this role is eligible to participate in DigitalOcean’s annual bonus plan and may be eligible for a new hire equity grant, subject to plan terms and local eligibility. Bonus amounts depend on company and individual performance.
• Sales roles (sales compensation eligible): In addition to base salary, this role may be eligible to earn incentive compensation under the applicable sales compensation plan and may be eligible for a new hire equity grant, subject to plan terms and local eligibility.
• DigitalOcean is an equal-opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Application Limit: You may apply to a maximum of 3 positions within any 180-day period. This policy promotes better role-candidate matching and encourages thoughtful applications where your qualifications align most strongly.