Data Center Infrastructure - Standards Architect

In 2012, Lambda started with a crew of AI engineers publishing research at top machine-learning conferences. We began as an AI company built by AI engineers. That hasn't changed. Today, we're on a mission to be the world's top AI computing platform. We equip engineers with the tools to deploy AI that is fast, secure, affordable, and built to scale. Whether they need powerhouse GPU hardware on-site or the flexibility of cloud-based solutions, we've got the horsepower to make it happen. Lambda’s AI Cloud has been adopted by the world’s leading companies and research institutions including Anyscale, Rakuten, The AI Institute, and multiple enterprises with over a trillion dollars of market capitalization. Our goal is to make computation as effortless and ubiquitous as electricity.

If you'd like to build the world's best deep learning cloud, join us. 

*Note: This position requires presence in our San Francisco office location 4 days per week; Lambda’s designated work from home day is currently Tuesday.

About the Job 

We are seeking an experienced Data Center Infrastructure Standards Architect to lead the design and engineering of our data center and telecommunications infrastructure. Lambda currently has 7 data centers regions across the US and we are growing rapidly.  In this role, you serve as the principal architect and subject matter expert for network and cabling infrastructure standards, ensuring robust, scalable, and cost-effective designs across our production data centers and corporate office facilities. Your expertise will drive the development of detailed specifications, vendor partnerships, and operational best practices that support high-density, mission-critical environments.

What You'll Do

• Design & Engineering: Design and engineer telecommunications and data cabling infrastructure across production data centers and corporate office facilities. Serve as the principal architect and subject matter expert for network infrastructure design, specifications, and standards.

• Collaboration & Specification Development: Collaborate with HPC architecture, network engineering teams, and hardware manufacturers to define switch and router specifications based on bandwidth, power, and thermal requirements. Engineer physical network infrastructure standards—including structured data cabling and conveyance requirements—that support both intra- and inter-connectivity among data centers, colo/POPs, campuses, and intercontinental transit.

• Telecommunications Architecture: Architect the data center telecommunications layer by defining intra- and inter-building cabling routes and pathways, support systems, network device placements, and associated power and thermal provisioning. Develop detailed specifications for data cabling types, lengths, and quantities.

• Vendor Partnerships: Partner with suppliers and manufacturers to qualify, select, and develop customized, cost-effective solutions that meet our specific cabling and network infrastructure needs. Negotiate optimal pricing and manage supply chain logistics.

• Operational Excellence: Develop operational best practices and installation SOPs that govern cabling infrastructure construction, installation, testing and quality control validation, uptime and SLA parameters, and capacity utilization.

• Data Analysis & Optimization: Perform detailed data analysis and develop key metrics to assess overall network and cabling infrastructure performance—including efficiency, uptime, capacity utilization, cost forecasting, and growth—and use these insights to optimize operations and reduce expenses.

• Thought Leadership: Present world-class cabling and network infrastructure design principles and best practices to internal and external stakeholders, providing training and collaborating as a technological leader to address industry challenges and drive future innovations.

• Travel: Willingness to travel up to 50%.

• Location: This role is ideally based in the Bay area (SF or SJC). There is a possibility of remote work for the right candidate. 

You

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.

• Minimum 10 years  experience in designing and deploying telecommunications and data cabling infrastructure for high-density data centers.

• Proven expertise as a subject matter expert in network infrastructure design, including experience with structured cabling, Ethernet, InfiniBand, Mellanox, and fiber solutions.

• Strong understanding of physical network infrastructure requirements, including power, thermal, and space planning.

• Excellent collaboration skills with a track record of working effectively with cross-functional teams, vendors, and external partners.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with experience in data analysis and performance metric development.

• Familiarity with industry best practices, regulatory requirements, and emerging technologies in data center design and telecommunications.

Nice to have

• Construction Management  and vendor selection experience

Salary Range Information 

Based on market data and other factors, the salary range for this position is $207,000-$310,000 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 Lambda

• Founded in 2012, ~350 employees (2024) and growing fast

• We offer generous cash & equity compensation

• Our 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 profitability

• Our research papers have been accepted into top machine learning and graphics conferences, including NeurIPS, ICCV, SIGGRAPH, and TOG

• Health, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents

• Commuter/Work from home stipends for select roles

• 401k Plan with 2% company match (USA employees)

• Flexible Paid Time Off Plan that we all actually use

A Final Note:

You 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 Employer

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 local, state, or federal law.