Development Program Manager - Acoustics Engineering SME

As a global leader in digital infrastructure, QTS designs, builds and operates advanced data centers that support strategic AI, cloud and digital transformation initiatives. We are driven by a mission to connect the world for good and our people make it possible. Every single day, the creativity, dedication and genuine care for our communities are what push us forward and make this a truly special place to be. 

The Program Manager – Acoustics Engineering SME is responsible for leading the development, standardization, and implementation of acoustical design and noise and vibration control strategies across QTS development projects. This role serves as the technical leader for environmental, building, and equipment acoustics, driving design standards, regulatory compliance, community noise mitigation, reliability, and operational performance throughout the project lifecycle.

The Program Manager will interact daily with Development, Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Operations, Legal, and Community Relations teams, as well as third-party acoustics consultants and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), and should possess written and verbal communication skills commensurate with this level of engagement.

• →Own the development and continuous improvement of enterprise-wide acoustical design and noise and vibration control standards.

• →Establish and maintain design criteria for site noise, property-line limits, occupied spaces, equipment rooms, building envelopes, mechanical and electrical equipment, and vibration-sensitive systems supporting mission-critical facilities.
• →Review site plans, drawing packages, specifications, acoustical models, and engineering deliverables for adherence to established design standards, project criteria, permit conditions, and applicable noise ordinances.

• →Review designs and consultant work from internal and external design teams for compliance with company standards, local regulations, AHJ requirements, lease commitments, and community noise objectives.
• →Partner with Development, Engineering, Procurement, Pre Development, Legal, and Community Relations teams to align on site requirements and acoustical performance objectives.
• →Review and approve practical noise and vibration mitigation strategies proposed by design teams and third-party consultants across the data center portfolio.
• →Define study requirements for environmental noise planning, including baseline studies, predictive modeling, cumulative campus assessments, and long-term build-out evaluations, and review and approve third-party consultant studies to confirm they are performed per company standards.

• →Review and approve acoustical design approaches for generators, cooling equipment, substations, transformers, switchgear, air-handling systems, louvers, exhaust systems, sound barriers, enclosures, silencers, and building envelope assemblies.
• →Collaborate with procurement teams to evaluate acoustical performance requirements, equipment sound data, mitigation systems, and vendor submittals.
• →Work with construction, commissioning, environmental, and risk management teams to resolve technical issues, RFIs, field conditions, and value engineering proposals.

• →Define site due diligence requirements and review consultant findings related to existing ambient sound levels, nearby sensitive receptors, zoning and noise ordinances, permitting risk, utility equipment, transportation sources, and long-term campus expansion.

• →Coordinate with municipalities, AHJs, environmental agencies, utilities, and third-party acoustical consultants regarding noise criteria, studies, permits, complaints, and mitigation requirements.
• →Develop and maintain acoustical specifications, design guidelines, modeling requirements, measurement protocols, commissioning criteria, and best practices.

• →Review consultant field measurements and operational performance data to validate compliance and improve noise control, maintainability, and lifecycle cost.

• →Support project teams in resolving acoustical and vibration issues during design, construction, commissioning, and operations.
• →Work closely with strategic procurement teams on equipment selection, sound-power requirements, and procurement strategies.

• →Evaluate innovative noise and vibration control technologies for mission-critical facilities and incorporate them into company standards.
• →Direct and oversee third-party acoustics consultants, ensuring studies are scoped and performed in accordance with company standards.

• →This position will require approximately 25% travel.

• Bachelor's degree in Acoustical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in architectural acoustics, environmental noise, mechanical systems noise control, vibration control, acoustical consulting, or related industries.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience leading technical programs, engineering initiatives, or large-scale infrastructure projects.
• Experience applying local noise ordinances, permit conditions, acoustical measurement methods, building codes, environmental requirements, and industry best practices.
• Experience supporting the design, construction, commissioning, or operation of large-scale industrial, commercial, or mission-critical facilities.

• Experience providing acoustical design or noise and vibration control for data centers, mission-critical facilities, power generation, industrial facilities, or large commercial developments.
• Experience developing corporate engineering standards and technical governance programs.
• Experience with environmental noise modeling and measurement, including octave-band and one-third-octave-band analysis, sound propagation, tonal assessment, and cumulative source modeling.
• Experience evaluating outdoor equipment noise and mitigation measures such as sound barriers, acoustic louvers, silencers, enclosures, lagging, resilient isolation, and source controls.
• Experience with architectural acoustics, including sound transmission class (STC), outdoor-indoor transmission class (OITC), noise criteria (NC), room criteria (RC), and reverberation control.
• Experience with vibration analysis and control for rotating equipment, generators, transformers, structural systems, and vibration-sensitive spaces.
• Experience working with municipalities, AHJs, environmental agencies, utilities, and community stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of applicable ANSI/ASA and ISO acoustical standards, ASHRAE sound and vibration guidance, local noise ordinances, and standard sound-level measurement practices.
• Experience supporting environmental permitting, community noise studies, and complaint investigation or response.
• Direct experience in data centers, industrial facilities, power generation, manufacturing, or large utility infrastructure projects.
• Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and site equipment sound characteristics and the interaction between equipment selection, layout, barriers, airflow, and acoustical performance.
• Experience reviewing manufacturer sound-power data, acoustical calculations, computational models, and field test reports.
• Advanced understanding of asset lifecycle management, reliability engineering, and operational risk management.
• Proven ability to communicate complex technical issues, acoustical risks, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership and non-technical stakeholders.

Professional Engineer (PE), Board Certified Member of the Institute of Noise Control Engineering (INCE Bd. Cert.), or other relevant acoustics credential preferred but not required.

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interface with all levels of the organization.
• Strong leadership and program management capabilities.
• Ability to develop and implement enterprise-wide technical strategies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple initiatives and projects simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of environmental acoustics, architectural acoustics, equipment noise, vibration control, sound measurement, and predictive modeling.
• Ability to balance regulatory compliance, operational reliability, maintainability, community impact, constructability, and cost objectives.
• Strong understanding of mission-critical facility requirements and operational challenges.

• Ability to influence stakeholders and drive alignment across development, engineering, procurement, construction, operations, legal, and community relations teams.

• This role is also eligible for a competitive benefits package that includes: medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; flexible spending and HSA accounts; paid holidays; paid time off; paid volunteer days; employee assistance program; tuition assistance; parental leave; military leave assistance; QTS scholarship for dependents; wellness program, and other company benefits.
• This position is Bonus eligible.
• This job may be eligible for equity.