Director of Design Engineering

My client, a major global data centre developer/operator, is looking for a Director/ Senior Director of Data Centre Design to be based in the USA, ideally in the Bay Area.

You will be working on global projects for a company that is growing rapidly into multiple countries, backed by significant funding.

Job Title: Director/ Senior Director of Data Centre Design

Department: Global Engineering & Design

Reports To: Global Head of Engineering

Location: United States (West Coast preferred)

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Our organization is a leading global developer and operator of next-generation digital infrastructure, purpose-built for the AI and high-performance computing era. We design, construct, and manage hyperscale-ready facilities for the world's largest technology enterprises and cloud providers across the Asia-Pacific region.

With a rapidly expanding international footprint, we are establishing a strategic presence in the U.S. market to serve as a hub for innovation, global collaboration, and advanced infrastructure delivery. Our mission is to push the boundaries of engineering excellence through sustainable design, energy efficiency, and scalable, future-ready solutions.

ROLE SUMMARY

We are seeking a visionary Director/Senior Director of Data Centre Design to join our Global Engineering team. This is a senior individual contributor role based in the United States.

In this capacity, you will serve as the foremost technical authority for end-to-end integrated data center design, translating complex customer requirements into robust, compliant, and optimized power and thermal architectures. You will lead pre-sales technical engagements, establish global engineering standards, and drive research and development initiatives for emerging technologies. You will also bridge regional teams, ensuring seamless project execution from concept through commissioning.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Global Design Standards & Technical Leadership

• Define and own the organization's global data center design standards, focusing on the seamless integration of power distribution, thermal management, and IT hardware compatibility.
• Lead R&D initiatives to evaluate and integrate next-generation technologies, including high-voltage DC distribution, advanced modular switchgear, liquid cooling architectures, and energy storage systems.
• Conduct high-level technical audits and design reviews for projects across multiple regions to ensure system reliability, constructability, and regulatory compliance.
• Act as the final technical authority for resolving complex design discrepancies and ensuring design integrity across all projects.

2. Strategic Solutioning & Pre-Sales Support

• Serve as the primary technical advisor during high-stakes sales cycles, translating complex customer load profiles and uptime requirements into feasible, innovative infrastructure solutions.
• Develop conceptual system architectures, balancing power availability with thermal efficiency to optimize overall facility performance.
• Perform advanced system-level assessments to validate stability, redundancy, and integration across multi-disciplinary systems.
• Present technical solutions confidently to C-level executives and external clients.

3. Innovation & Sustainability

• Spearhead initiatives to improve power usage effectiveness (PUE) and reduce environmental impact through the adoption of alternative energy sources, fuel cell technologies, and hybrid power/cooling systems.
• Evaluate and qualify new equipment vendors and emerging technologies to maintain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving AI infrastructure market.
• Stay abreast of industry trends in high-efficiency cooling, sustainable design, and energy storage.

4. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as the technical liaison between U.S.-based stakeholders (Sales, Construction, Operations) and international project teams.
• Provide expert-level troubleshooting support for complex infrastructure integration issues encountered during construction or commissioning phases.
• Manage and guide external design consultants to ensure completeness and quality of all design deliverables.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline (Master's degree preferred).
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent certification is highly desirable.
• Relevant data center industry certifications (e.g., CDCP, CDCS) are a plus.

Experience

• 12+ years of progressive experience in mission-critical data center infrastructure design, engineering, or commissioning.
• Proven track record of leading the design and delivery of large-scale hyperscale data center projects (20MW+), with comprehensive understanding of both power and cooling ecosystems.
• Extensive experience with redundant architectures (2N, N+1), medium-voltage distribution, advanced UPS topologies, and high-density thermal management strategies.
• Demonstrated experience in data centre greenfield design, live facility modifications, testing and commissioning, and MEP work phasing.

Technical Expertise

• System-Level Proficiency: Deep understanding of power and cooling system interactions, including arc flash analysis, grounding/bonding, and thermal load balancing.
• Cutting-Edge Knowledge: Demonstrated experience or strong familiarity with high-voltage DC power distribution, immersion and direct-to-chip liquid cooling integration, and modular data center systems.
• Software: Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit (BIM), and MS Office Suite; familiarity with system analysis tools (e.g., ETAP, SKM, CFD) is preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills; capable of presenting complex technical information to C-level executives and external clients.
• Fluent in English (spoken and written).
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple high-priority technical workstreams simultaneously.
• Willingness to travel regionally and internationally as required by project demands.

If you do not receive a reply, you were not shortlisted.