Data Center Development Advisor at Shadeform (Remote)
Role details
Job description
About the role
Shadeform is a GPU cloud marketplace aggregating compute capacity across 30+ providers. As we expand into powered-land and data center development in partnership with a major US landowner, we're looking for an experienced Data Center Development Advisor. You'll partner directly with our Head of Colo / Powered Land to vet sites, review design specs, and provide technical oversight across the development lifecycle. We're engaging on a project-by-project basis to start, but for the right person this can grow into a full-time role as our development pipeline scales.
Our sites typically fall in the 2.5–100MW range.
What you'll do
- Vet prospective sites for data center suitability (power, cooling, connectivity, land constraints, permitting risk)
- Review design specs, MEP plans, and construction documentation for feasibility and cost
- Advise on facility layout, power density, and buildout economics across the 2.5–100MW range, including high-density GPU/AI deployments
- Serve as a technical liaison between Shadeform, our landowner partner, and construction/engineering teams
- Bring and leverage your network of construction, engineering, and GC contacts as needed
What we're looking for
- Direct experience managing or overseeing the development/construction of data center facilities, ideally across the sub-100MW range
- Strong grasp of power infrastructure, cooling systems, and site selection criteria
- Existing relationships across construction, MEP engineering, and general contracting
- Comfort working independently and engaging on a flexible, per-project cadence
- Bonus: experience with high-density / AI-GPU deployments, powered-land deals, or colo/hyperscale builds
Engagement structure Independent contractor, project-based to start, with a clear path to full-time as the pipeline grows. Scope, deliverables, and compensation defined per engagement initially. Open to semi-retired DC development professionals wanting selective work, as well as those seeking a full-time home as we scale.
Why work at Shadeform
- Impact: Early-stage infrastructure startup where engineers and sales hires can directly shape the product and company direction.
- Remote-friendly: Roles listed as San Francisco, CA / Remote (US) – flexible work arrangement.
- Culture: Small, high-impact team working on hard infrastructure problems; YC-backed with a fast-paced, ownership-driven environment.
- Compensation: Salary ranges posted ($100K-$190K for engineering, $125K-$300K for founding sales, plus equity likely included).
- Engineering focus: Building distributed systems, cloud APIs, and orchestration tools – ideal for engineers who enjoy deep infrastructure challenges.