Job Description
Design Manager – Data Centres
Location
Hong Kong / Singapore / Malaysia (or other APAC locations)
About the Company
Our client is a rapidly growing global data centre developer and operator, delivering highly resilient, hyperscale-ready facilities across Asia-Pacific. Backed by significant investment, the business partners with some of the world's largest cloud and AI organisations to develop next-generation digital infrastructure.
Due to continued expansion, they are seeking an experienced Design Manager to lead multidisciplinary design delivery across multiple mission-critical data centre developments.
The Role
The Design Manager will take ownership of the design process from concept through to construction, ensuring projects are delivered to the highest technical, commercial, and operational standards.
Working closely with internal development, construction, operations, and external consultants, you will coordinate all aspects of architectural, mechanical, electrical, structural, and specialist systems design while ensuring compliance with client requirements, programme milestones, and budget.
This is an excellent opportunity to join one of the fastest-growing data centre platforms supporting large-scale AI and hyperscale cloud deployments.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the end-to-end design management process for multiple hyperscale and colocation data centre projects.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary consultant teams including Architecture, Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical and specialist vendors.
- Review and manage design deliverables through each project gateway.
- Ensure designs meet operational requirements, maintainability, scalability and reliability standards.
- Manage design programmes to align with construction schedules and development milestones.
- Drive value engineering initiatives without compromising performance or resilience.
- Review technical specifications, drawings and calculations for quality and compliance.
- Coordinate utility providers and external authorities where required.
- Support procurement activities through technical reviews of equipment and contractor submissions.
- Work closely with Construction and Commissioning teams to resolve design issues during delivery.
- Manage design risks, technical queries and change control throughout the project lifecycle.
- Ensure compliance with local codes, international standards and internal design guidelines.
- Participate in lessons learned reviews and continuously improve design standards across the portfolio.
Required Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Building Services Engineering, Architecture or a related discipline.
- Typically 8+ years' experience delivering complex building or mission-critical infrastructure projects.
- Previous experience managing multidisciplinary consultant teams.
- Strong understanding of data centre design principles including:
- Electrical infrastructure (HV/LV)
- UPS systems
- Standby generators
- Cooling systems
- Chilled water and liquid cooling (desirable)
- Fire protection systems
- BMS / EPMS
- Security systems
- Experience coordinating projects through concept, detailed design and construction.
- Strong knowledge of international data centre design standards and best practices.
- Ability to review technical documentation and identify design risks.
- Experience working with contractors, consultants and equipment manufacturers.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
Desirable Experience
- Experience delivering hyperscale or AI-ready data centres.
- Knowledge of liquid cooling technologies for high-density compute environments.
- Experience working across multiple countries or international projects.
- Familiarity with BIM workflows and digital design coordination.
- Chartered Engineer (or working towards chartership) is advantageous.
Key Skills
- Design Management
- Project Coordination
- Mission Critical Infrastructure
- Multidisciplinary Design
- Value Engineering
- Technical Risk Management
- Stakeholder Management
- Design Reviews
- Programme Management
- Consultant Management
- Change Control
- Problem Solving
What's on Offer
- Opportunity to join a rapidly expanding global data centre platform.
- Work on some of the largest hyperscale and AI infrastructure developments in APAC.
- Exposure to cutting-edge technologies including high-density compute and liquid cooling.
- Collaborative, international working environment.
- Clear career progression within a high-growth organisation.
- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.