Lambda is hiring a Director, Data Center Operations - North America to lead and support large-scale AI and high-performance computing infrastructure across all our North American data centers. In this role, you will oversee all aspects of operations to ensure world-class uptime, customer response, and scalability to meet rapidly growing AI infrastructure demands.
What You'll Do
- Develop and execute the North American data center operations strategy aligned with AI infrastructure goals and organizational growth.
- Drive continuous improvement across facility operations, emphasizing sustainability, efficiency, and resilience.
- Partner with Engineering, Capacity Planning, and Infrastructure teams to forecast and support future AI and GPU-based compute requirements.
- Provide operational feedback on designs and system improvements.
- Oversee expansion projects, retrofits, and site selection in collaboration with Data Center Infrastructure Engineering and HPC Architecture teams.
- Lead a multi-site operations team ensuring 24/7/365 reliability, availability, and SLA response across all facilities.
- Establish standardized procedures, metrics, and best practices for preventive maintenance, incident management, and service delivery.
- Monitor operational KPIs including uptime, PUE, safety, and compliance with corporate and regulatory standards.
- Implement automation and AI-driven monitoring solutions to optimize system performance and predictive maintenance.
- Coordinate and communicate data center provider maintenances with customers and impacted teams.
- Build, mentor, and scale a high-performing team of operations managers, technicians, and engineers across multiple regions.
- Routinely visit all sites to maintain standards, develop relationships, and identify areas of efficiency.
- Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous learning driving data center operations to take on more responsibility and work up the stack.
- Assist in the build out of new data center whitespace and deployment of AI Infrastructure.
- Develop and manage operating budgets, capital expenditures, and cost-optimization initiatives.
- Oversee strategic vendor partnerships with numerous data center providers for power, cooling, maintenance, and critical infrastructure components.
- Ensure compliance with environmental, safety, and industry regulations (e.g., NFPA, OSHA, ISO standards).
- Lead incident response and root cause analysis to drive preventive improvements for incidents related to data center operations or infrastructure.
- Act as primary point of contact for audits related to data center operations for compliance such as SOCII, ISO, etc.
What We're Looking For
- 10+ years of experience in data center operations.
- At least 7 years in a leadership role managing multi-site or hyperscale facilities.
- Proven experience supporting AI, HPC, or cloud infrastructure at scale.
- Deep understanding of power and cooling systems, networking, capacity planning, and facility automation tools (DCIM, BMS, etc.).
- Strong track record of improving operational efficiency and managing relationships with data center providers.
- Exceptional communication, cross-functional collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to build relationships and consensus and positive team culture.
- Willingness to travel (up to 50%) to data center sites across North America and data center sites under construction.
Nice to Have
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field; Master’s bonus.
- Experience with GPU clusters, AI infrastructure networking, and large-scale storage systems.
- Familiarity with cloud-scale operational practices (e.g., AWS, Google, Microsoft data center standards).
- Certifications such as CDCDP, CDCP, PMP, or PE are a plus.
Technical Stack
- GPU clusters
- AI infrastructure networking
- Large-scale storage systems
- Facility automation tools (DCIM, BMS)
Team & Environment
You will lead and support a multi-site operations team across Lambda's Data Center Operations in North America.
Benefits & Compensation
- Annual salary range set based on market data and other factors + equity: Generous cash & equity compensation.
- Health, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents.
- Wellness and Commuter stipends for select roles.
- 401k Plan with 2% company match (USA employees).
- Flexible Paid Time Off Plan.
Work Mode
This is an onsite role based in North America.
Lambda 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 law.
