Distribution Design Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

AWS Infrastructure Services owns the design, planning, delivery, and operation of all AWS global infrastructure. In other words, we're the people who keep the cloud running. We support all AWS data centers and all of the servers, storage, networking, power, and cooling equipment that ensure our customers have continual access to the innovation they rely on.

We work on the most challenging problems, with thousands of variables impacting the supply chain - and we're looking for talented people who want to help.
We are seeking a highly technical Design Portfolio Manager to join our GDSCM team, focusing on the Basis of Design (BOD) and Programmatic Design Change Management (PDCM) programs. This role requires deep technical expertise across multiple engineering disciplines and the ability to evaluate complex design changes across 300+ in-flight projects.
As a Design portfolio Manager, you will serve as a technical expert evaluating design change requests across electrical, mechanical, civil, structural, architectural, controls, plumbing, fire protection, and thermal systems. You will conduct feasibility analyses, coordinate technical reviews with principal engineers across all disciplines, and manage the end-to-end lifecycle of design changes from initiation through implementation.
You will work closely with Design Engineering, Construction Management, Procurement, Finance, and Product teams to ensure design changes are properly vetted, funded, and executed.
Key job responsibilities
Technical Design Evaluation
Evaluate complex design changes across multiple engineering disciplines including electrical power distribution, mechanical cooling systems, structural loads, civil site work, architectural layouts, controls systems, plumbing infrastructure, and fire protection systems
Analyze technical specifications, construction drawings, equipment datasheets, and system integration requirements to assess design change feasibility and impact
Understand and explain the complexity of data center designs including power distribution from utility to rack level, cooling system architectures, backup power systems, and building infrastructure
Identify technical dependencies and cross-discipline impacts when evaluating proposed design changes
Assess constructability, maintainability, and operational implications of design modifications
Review and validate technical calculations including electrical load calculations, cooling capacity requirements, structural load analysis, and hydraulic calculations
Design Change Management
Manage portfolio of design changes across multiple in-flight projects, ensuring alignment with business priorities and technical requirements
Conduct feasibility analyses and production readiness assessments for proposed design changes, evaluating technical risk, schedule impact, and cost implications
Coordinate technical reviews with principal engineers across mechanical, electrical, structural, civil, architectural, controls, plumbing, and fire protection disciplines
Develop and maintain implementation plans, tracking design change execution from approval through site deployment
Present design change recommendations and cost implications to senior leadership, clearly articulating technical complexity and business impact
Evaluate design improvements and innovations, assessing their applicability across the global portfolio
Cross-Discipline Collaboration
Partner with Electrical Engineers on power distribution design, generator sizing, UPS configurations, switchgear specifications, and high-voltage systems
Collaborate with Mechanical Engineers on cooling system design, HVAC configurations, piping layouts, and thermal management strategies
Work with Structural Engineers on foundation design, seismic requirements, equipment support structures, and building loads
Engage with Civil Engineers on site grading, stormwater management, utility routing, and site infrastructure
Coordinate with Architectural teams on building layouts, space planning, and building envelope design
Interface with Controls Engineers on building management systems, monitoring systems, and automation strategies
Partner with Fire Protection Engineers on fire suppression systems, detection systems, and life safety requirements
Stakeholder Coordination
Partner with Design Management teams to understand project-specific requirements, constraints, and technical challenges
Collaborate with Finance teams on cost validation, funding strategies, and budget tracking for design changes
Work with Construction Management and Procurement teams to assess schedule impacts, supply chain constraints, and constructability
Engage with Product and Solutions teams to evaluate new equipment, emerging technologies, and design approaches
Coordinate with Commissioning teams to ensure design changes support testing and startup requirements
Process Improvement
Identify opportunities to streamline design change workflows and reduce execution timelines while maintaining technical rigor
Develop and maintain technical documentation including standard operating procedures, design standards, technical specifications, and RACI matrices
Contribute to automation initiatives and tooling improvements for design change management
Support integration of cost validation frameworks and bulk funding mechanisms
Drive continuous improvement in technical review processes and design quality standards
Program Execution
Track and report on design change metrics including approval timelines, cost avoidance, implementation status, and technical quality
Maintain design change databases and dashboards for cross-functional visibility
Support BOD release planning and coordination to minimize redesign impacts
Participate in weekly leadership reviews presenting program status, key decisions, and technical recommendations
About the team
The Global Design Standards and Change Management (GDSCM) organization within Data Center Engineering is responsible for establishing and maintaining design standards across the global data center portfolio

Our team manages three mission-critical programs:
Basis of Design (BOD)Establishes and governs the foundational technical standards for all global data center designs, ensuring consistency and quality across the portfolio.
Programmatic Design Change Management (PDCM)Manages design change requests across 300+ in-flight projects.
360 Equipment Qualification Program (360 EQP)Qualifies equipment and technologies for deployment across the global portfolio, evaluating emerging solutions and driving standardization of critical systems.
Together, these programs deliver capacity across the AMER, APAC, and EMEA regions.
Why AWS
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Diverse Experiences
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Even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn't followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don't let it stop you from applying.
Work/Life Balance
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