MEP Associate Director; Data Centre Background

We are seeking an experienced MEP Associate Director to lead the planning, design, delivery, and operational oversight of Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems for mission‑critical data centre projects. The role will be responsible for driving technical excellence, ensuring system reliability and scalability, managing multidisciplinary teams, and delivering complex data centre developments in accordance with industry standards, budget, and schedule requirements.

Lead MEP design, engineering and delivery for hyperscale colocation and enterprise data centre projects. Provide strategic direction and technical leadership across mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems. Oversee the design review, coordination and integration of MEP systems throughout project life cycles. Ensure MEP designs meet reliability, redundancy, uptime, performance and operational requirements. Manage multidisciplinary engineering teams, consultants and contractors. Drive project execution from concept design through construction, commissioning and handover.

Review and approve technical specifications, drawings, calculations and engineering deliverables. Ensure compliance with Uptime Institute, TIA‑942, ASHRAE, NFPA, IEC and local regulatory requirements. Lead value engineering initiatives to optimize cost, efficiency, sustainability and operational performance. Support site selection, due diligence, capacity planning and infrastructure strategy development. Oversee commissioning, integrated systems testing (IST) and operational readiness programs. Manage project risks and develop mitigation plans for technical and operational challenges.

Coordinate with architecture, structural, civil, ICT and operations teams to ensure successful project delivery. Drive sustainability initiatives including energy efficiency, water conservation and PUE optimization. Monitor project budgets, schedules, resource allocation and performance metrics. Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, regulatory authorities and service providers. Support procurement activities, vendor evaluations and contractor performance management. Lead technical audits, design reviews and quality assurance processes.

Mentor and develop engineering teams while promoting best practices and continuous improvement. Serve as a senior technical advisor for business development, bids, proposals and client presentations.

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Building Services Engineering, or a related discipline. Master’s Degree in Engineering, Project Management, or Business Administration preferred.

• 15+ years of experience in MEP engineering, with significant experience delivering data centre or mission‑critical infrastructure projects.
• Proven experience leading MEP teams on hyperscale, colocation, enterprise, or Tier III/Tier IV data centre developments.
• Strong expertise in:
  Electrical power distribution systems; UPS and backup power systems;
  Generators and fuel systems; HVAC and cooling infrastructure;
  Chillers, cooling towers, and CRAH/CRAC systems;
  Plumbing and water management systems;
  Fire detection and suppression systems;
  Building Management Systems (BMS);
  Data Centre Infrastructure Management (DCIM) platforms;
  Extensive knowledge of data centre redundancy concepts (N, N+1, 2N, 2N+1).
• Experience in design management, project delivery, commissioning, and operational readiness.
• Strong understanding of data centre standards and best practices, including:
  Uptime Institute Tier Standards; TIA‑942; ASHRAE Guidelines; NFPA Standards; IEEE and IEC Standards.
• Experience managing large‑scale capital projects, budgets, and engineering resources.
• Demonstrated expertise in stakeholder management, client engagement, and executive‑level communication.
• Strong leadership, team‑building, and mentoring capabilities.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.
• Experience working with international consultants, contractors, and global project teams.
• Knowledge of sustainability frameworks, ESG principles, LEED certifications, and energy‑efficiency initiatives.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects in fast‑paced, mission‑critical environments.