Senior CAD Design Engineer

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. 

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

Travel: 15% , Occasional travel to data center sites for design validation and project support.

What You’Ll Do:

As a Senior CAD Design Engineer specializing in data center infrastructure, you will independently develop detailed technical drawings and 3D models for high-density white space environments that power the world’s most demanding AI workloads. Working under the general guidance of the CAD Design and Documentation Manager and reporting to the Director of Data Center Capacity and Engineering, you’ll apply your advanced design expertise to deliver constructible, scalable, and efficient infrastructure solutions. You will use sound judgment to resolve complex design challenges, propose creative solutions in uncharted territory, and partner cross-functionally with senior mechanical, electrical, and network engineers to ensure seamless, high-quality documentation that meets both industry standards and Lambda’s design philosophy.

Key Responsibilities:

• Power Distribution Design:

• Independently develop and refine CAD drawings for high-density data center power distribution systems, including PDU layouts, whip routing, RPP placements, and power distribution pathways. Apply engineering judgment to optimize load balance, redundancy, and scalability while maintaining constructability and safety.

• Cooling System Design:

• Design and coordinate advanced cooling system layouts covering CRAC/CRAH placements, airflow and containment optimization, and sensor integration. Lead the creation of detailed liquid cooling system designs—CDU placements, piping networks, and rack-level cooling distribution—ensuring designs meet evolving high-performance computing requirements.

• Overhead Infrastructure Design:

• Design complex overhead cabling and support systems including ladder racks, baskets, trays, and structured cabling routes. Anticipate and resolve clashes through spatial modeling and maintain proper segregation between power and data pathways.

• Cabinet And Equipment Layout:

• Produce precise floor plans for high-density cabinet layouts, network gear placement, and service clearances. Incorporate operational access, thermal management, and compliance requirements while maximizing spatial efficiency.

• Liquid Cooling Infrastructure:

• Generate detailed P&IDs for liquid cooling networks, including supply/return piping, manifolds, and isolation valve configurations. Evaluate system integration and propose design optimizations based on operational insight and scalability considerations.

• Technical Documentation:

• Develop construction-ready drawings—plans, sections, elevations, and details—with minimal supervision. Establish, refine, and maintain Lambda’s drawing templates, symbol libraries, and documentation standards to ensure uniformity and accuracy across projects.

• Design Coordination:

• Interface with senior mechanical, electrical, and network engineering peers to align and validate multidisciplinary designs. Lead or contribute to design review meetings, resolving conflicts proactively and incorporating cross-functional input efficiently.

• 3d Modeling And Visualization:

• Build high-fidelity 3D models to identify spatial conflicts, validate constructability, and support coordination with construction partners. Produce visualizations and renderings for internal reviews and stakeholder presentations.

• Standards Development:

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of Lambda’s CAD and documentation standards. Leverage experience to identify opportunities for workflow efficiency, tool enhancement, and cross-project consistency.

• Quality Assurance:

• Perform rigorous peer reviews of drawings and models to verify technical accuracy, completeness, and adherence to codes and standards. Mentor junior designers on best practices and design review methodologies.
• Independently develop and refine CAD drawings for high-density data center power distribution systems, including PDU layouts, whip routing, RPP placements, and power distribution pathways. Apply engineering judgment to optimize load balance, redundancy, and scalability while maintaining constructability and safety.
• Design and coordinate advanced cooling system layouts covering CRAC/CRAH placements, airflow and containment optimization, and sensor integration. Lead the creation of detailed liquid cooling system designs—CDU placements, piping networks, and rack-level cooling distribution—ensuring designs meet evolving high-performance computing requirements.
• Design complex overhead cabling and support systems including ladder racks, baskets, trays, and structured cabling routes. Anticipate and resolve clashes through spatial modeling and maintain proper segregation between power and data pathways.
• Produce precise floor plans for high-density cabinet layouts, network gear placement, and service clearances. Incorporate operational access, thermal management, and compliance requirements while maximizing spatial efficiency.
• Generate detailed P&IDs for liquid cooling networks, including supply/return piping, manifolds, and isolation valve configurations. Evaluate system integration and propose design optimizations based on operational insight and scalability considerations.
• Develop construction-ready drawings—plans, sections, elevations, and details—with minimal supervision. Establish, refine, and maintain Lambda’s drawing templates, symbol libraries, and documentation standards to ensure uniformity and accuracy across projects.
• Interface with senior mechanical, electrical, and network engineering peers to align and validate multidisciplinary designs. Lead or contribute to design review meetings, resolving conflicts proactively and incorporating cross-functional input efficiently.
• Build high-fidelity 3D models to identify spatial conflicts, validate constructability, and support coordination with construction partners. Produce visualizations and renderings for internal reviews and stakeholder presentations.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of Lambda’s CAD and documentation standards. Leverage experience to identify opportunities for workflow efficiency, tool enhancement, and cross-project consistency.
• Perform rigorous peer reviews of drawings and models to verify technical accuracy, completeness, and adherence to codes and standards. Mentor junior designers on best practices and design review methodologies.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Experienced CAD professional with deep technical proficiency and the ability to independently deliver complex design packages in mission-critical environments.
• Strong command of 2D and 3D CAD workflows, with a practical understanding of interdisciplinary coordination.
• Advanced knowledge of data center infrastructure—power, cooling, and structured cabling—with growing expertise in liquid cooling systems and high-density computing.
• Proven ability to navigate ambiguous design challenges, evaluate alternatives, and select optimal solutions based on technical and operational trade-offs.
• Highly organized and detail-driven, capable of managing multiple concurrent design initiatives with minimal supervision.
• Skilled communicator able to collaborate with senior engineers, contractors, and vendors while clearly conveying technical concepts.
• Familiar with applicable codes and standards (NEC, ASHRAE, TIA/EIA) and how to apply them to real-world data center environments.
• Motivated to stay ahead of emerging technologies, tools, and best practices shaping the next generation of AI-ready data centers.

Top Five Requirements:

1. Cad Design Expertise:

2. Data Center Systems Integration:

3. Technical Documentation Leadership:

4. Cross-Disciplinary Coordination:

5. Quality & Precision:

Qualifications:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology, Drafting & Design, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (or equivalent hands-on experience).
• 6–9 years of experience in CAD design and documentation, ideally in data center, mission-critical, or advanced industrial facilities.
• High proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit MEP, and 3D modeling platforms (Navisworks, AutoCAD 3D, or similar).
• Strong working knowledge of data center systems including PDUs, RPPs, UPS, CRAC/CRAH, and direct liquid cooling infrastructure.
• Solid understanding of MEP design principles, construction documentation workflows, and field constructability.
• Familiarity with industry codes and best practices (NEC, ASHRAE, TIA/EIA).
• Experience using design coordination and project management tools (Smartsheet, Jira, Procore, Google Workspace).
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise judgment, and adapt designs to novel challenges in high-performance computing environments.

Salary Range Information

The 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 Lambda

• Founded in 2012, ~400 employees (2025) 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
• Wellness and Commuter 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.