Director of Construction - Data Center

Lambda, The Superintelligence Cloud, builds Gigawatt-scale AI Factories for Training and Inference. Lambda’s mission is to make compute as ubiquitous as electricity and give every person access to artificial intelligence. One person, one GPU.If you'd like to build the world's best deep learning cloud, join us.About The JobYou will own the full lifecycle of Lambda’s AI-ready data center build program — from greenfield site development through commissioning. You’ll define construction strategy, manage budgets and vendors, and deliver facilities on time and on budget to power the world’s fastest AI training clusters. This is a highly visible role, interfacing directly with executive leadership and driving innovation in how Lambda builds mission-critical infrastructure at scale.What You’ll DoLead all phases of data center construction: site prep, utilities, core/shell, CSA/MEP systems, commissioning, substantial completion, deferred commissioning, and warranty resolution.Build and manage relationships with general contractors, EPCs, and subcontractors; oversee bids, contracts, and change orders, ensuring accountability.Partner with design engineering, operations, real estate, and supply chain to align builds with Lambda’s capacity roadmap.Coordinate with capacity, construction contractors, equipment suppliers and internal financing/accounting teams to ensure efficient use of capital in line with reported projections.Establish scalable standards for cost, schedule, safety, and quality across multiple programs.Report progress, risks, and financials directly to executive leadership.Push innovation in delivery models (modular builds, prefabrication, liquid cooling) to accelerate timelines and boost resiliency.Guide teams through troubleshooting and root-cause analysis during commissioning.YouBachelor’s or master’s degree in Civil, Structural, or Architectural Engineering (or related).15+ years of construction leadership, including hyperscale data centers or other mission-critical facilities, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.Deep understanding of constructability elements of CSA and MEP systems, high-density compute environments, and large-scale commissioning.General contractor and vendor management experience (RFPs, bidding, change orders, QA/QC, RFIs, submittals).Proven track record delivering $100M+ construction projects with full budget accountability.Strong financial acumen and contract negotiation skills, with demonstrated ability to deliver projects on budget.Experience building and scaling high-performing teams; demonstrated success in talent attraction, development, and retention.Nice to HaveProficient in enterprise construction tools (Procore, MS Project, Primavera, Bluebeam).Familiarity with sustainable building practices and green certifications (LEED, ISO, etc.).Professional certifications such as PE, PMP, CCM, or OSHA 30.Deep knowledge of construction codes, regulations, and permitting processes.Demonstrated ability to attract, develop, and scale high-performing teams.Strong cross-functional MEP system knowledge.Salary Range InformationThe annual salary range for this position has been set based on market data and other factors. However, a salary higher or lower than this range may be appropriate for a candidate whose qualifications differ meaningfully from those listed in the job description.About LambdaFounded in 2012, ~400 employees (2025) and growing fastWe offer generous cash & equity compensationOur investors include Andra Capital, SGW, Andrej Karpathy, ARK Invest, Fincadia Advisors, G Squared, In-Q-Tel (IQT), KHK & Partners, NVIDIA, Pegatron, Supermicro, Wistron, Wiwynn, US Innovative Technology, Gradient Ventures, Mercato Partners, SVB, 1517, Crescent Cove.We are experiencing extremely high demand for our systems, with quarter over quarter, year over year profitabilityOur research papers have been accepted into top machine learning and graphics conferences, including NeurIPS, ICCV, SIGGRAPH, and TOGHealth, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependentsWellness and Commuter stipends for select roles401k Plan with 2% company match (USA employees)Flexible Paid Time Off Plan that we all actually useA Final NoteYou do not need to match all of the listed expectations to apply for this position. We are committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.Equal Opportunity EmployerLambda is an Equal Opportunity employer. Applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, age, sex, gender, marital status, sexual orientation and identity, genetic information, veteran status, citizenship, or any other factors prohibited by local, state, or federal law.Compensation Range: $253K - $422K