Principal Program Manager - Onsite Data Center Deployment

About the Role

We're looking for a Doer

—someone who lives and breathes the site. This role sits at the center of our GPU cluster deployments...

What You'll Do

• Onsite Delivery & Execution
• Own cluster bootstrapping, cabling, and fit-out execution from initial deployment through production readiness.
• Use LLDs as the reference point to verify that onsite work is being executed according to plan.
• Maintain complete visibility into onsite blockers and proactively remove them.
• Be regularly present during construction and onsite throughout active deployment phases.
• Build trusted relationships with vendors, contractors, and engineering teams.
• Technical Leadership
• Bring credible technical judgment to design and readiness reviews.
• Anticipate recurring technical issues across sites and drive preventative solutions.
• Facilitate technical trade-off decisions across engineering, operations, and customers.
• Resolve moderately complex technical challenges independently.
• Program & Risk Management
• Proactively identify program-level risks before they impact delivery.
• Manage schedules, dependencies, and risks across multiple concurrent deployments.
• Drive systemic improvements across programs.
• Create scalable operating mechanisms for consistent execution.
• Stakeholder & Executive Communication
• Serve as the trusted leader when deployments encounter challenges.
• Navigate customer escalations and vendor performance issues.
• Translate technical complexity into executive-ready updates.
• Provide concise reporting on risks, decisions, and milestones.
• Process Improvement & Team Development
• Improve deployment processes, tools, and operational practices.
• Balance standardization with program-specific needs.
• Mentor and develop TPMs and onsite talent.
• Build organizational capability by growing others.
• Who Thrives in This Role
• Doers.
• You lead from the floor, not from a dashboard.
• Trusted leaders.
• You earn confidence through competence and execution.
• Calm under pressure.
• You bring clarity when deployments go off track.
• People builders.
• You enjoy developing others.
• Systems thinkers.
• You recognize patterns across multiple deployments and drive continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Proven experience as an onsite Technical Program Manager, Deployment Lead, or similar role supporting data center construction, GPU cluster deployments, or large-scale infrastructure delivery.
• Hands-on experience interpreting and applying Low-Level Designs (LLDs) to verify onsite implementation.
• Demonstrated success managing multiple complex deployments simultaneously.
• Strong technical credibility and readiness review experience.
• Experience managing third-party vendors and driving accountability.
• Excellent executive communication skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively and remain onsite for extended periods during active deployment phases.
• Location
• : Onsite at active construction/deployment sites (multiple regions)
• Travel
• : Mandatory — frequent site visits during construction; extended onsite presence during active deployment phases
• The range below reflects the base salary for the position. Actual compensation may vary based on job-related factors such as skill set, experience, education, and location. In addition to base salary, this role may be eligible for bonus, equity, and/or commission programs. Nscale may offer a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, flexible paid time off, parental leave, and retirement plan participation.