Job Description: Head of Datacenter Design
Location: Texas
Type: Full-Time
About the Role: We are seeking a highly experienced Head of Datacenter Design to lead our Datacenter Design and Build Business Unit, driving the design and build of international modular and traditional construction datacenters. This role requires a technical leader with deep expertise in MEP systems, mission-critical infrastructure, and sustainable design strategies, capable of leading design teams through all phases of concept, detailed design, and construction. As the Head of Datacenter Design, you will shape the technical vision, innovation strategy, and execution for cutting-edge datacenters, ensuring high reliability, energy efficiency, and compliance with global standards. You will also work closely with clients, stakeholders, and international design and construction teams to deliver scalable, high-performance datacenters.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Leadership & Team Management:
* Lead and manage multi-disciplinary design teams (MEP, structural, architectural, and technology) across international projects.
* Develop and implement the best practices for datacenter design and engineering processes.
* Mentor and grow internal talent, ensuring technical excellence and innovation.
* Collaborate with construction, operations, and procurement teams to optimize design for constructability, cost, and performance.
* Define new and innovative ways of shortening design and supply chain challenges but leveraging our R&D and Product development teams.
2. Datacenter Design & Engineering:
* Oversee the full datacenter lifecycle design, from concept development to detailed engineering and construction support.
* Ensure the integration of MEP, power, cooling, and critical systems for both modular and traditional builds.
* Drive energy-efficient and sustainable design solutions, including liquid cooling, immersion cooling, waste heat recovery, and renewable energy integration.
* Specify UPS systems, generators, power distribution (MV/LV), cooling technologies (air, liquid, and immersion cooling), and security systems.
* Ensure compliance with Uptime Institute Tier Standards, ASHRAE, NFPA, ISO, IEEE, NIST, and other global datacenter standards.
3. Project Execution & Stakeholder Collaboration:
* Work closely with clients, vendors, and internal stakeholders to define project requirements and ensure design alignment with business objectives.
* Drive the execution of high-density AI/HPC datacenters, hyperscale facilities, and edge deployments.
* Support design-build and EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction) project delivery models.
* Lead technical due diligence for site selection, power availability, and grid integration.
4. Quality, Compliance & Innovation:
* Implement quality control measures to ensure all designs meet regulatory and operational standards.
* Lead R&D initiatives for next-generation datacenter architecture, including direct to-chip cooling, hydrogen fuel cells, and microgrid-enabled facilities.
* Stay updated on emerging technologies, sustainability trends, and industry innovations.
Qualifications & Experience:
Education & Certifications:
* Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or a related field. * PE, Chartered Engineer, or equivalent professional certification preferred.
* Certifications such as Uptime Institute ATS/AFE, LEED AP, CEM (Certified Energy Manager), or PMP are a plus.
Experience:
* 10+ years in datacenter design and construction, including experience with hyperscale, colocation, or enterprise datacenters.
* Strong background in MEP, power, cooling, and modular design methodologies.
* Experience with modular and prefabricated datacenter deployments.
* Proven expertise in leading design teams through all project phases (concept to commissioning).
Technical Skills:
* Expertise in power distribution (MV/LV, UPS, switchgear, and batteries).
* Strong knowledge of cooling systems (DX, chilled water, free cooling, liquid cooling, immersion cooling).
* Experience with AutoCAD, Revit, BIM, CFD modeling, and electrical load calculations.
* Understanding of resiliency and redundancy planning (Tier II-IV, N+1, 2N, etc.).
* Familiarity with grid interconnection, renewable energy, and microgrids is a plus.
Soft Skills & Leadership:
* Ability to manage complex international projects with multiple stakeholders.
* Strong communication and leadership skills to work with technical and executive teams.
* Problem-solving mindset and a passion for sustainable and energy-efficient design.
