MEP Associate Director (Data Centre Background)

AtkinsRéalis; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tax-free salary

Medical insurance

Annual flight contribution

Housing allowance

Life insurance

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis seeks an experienced MEP Associate Director to lead planning, design, delivery, and operational oversight of MEP systems for mission-critical data centre projects in the UAE. You will drive technical excellence, ensure reliability, and manage multidisciplinary teams across mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection disciplines.

Responsibilities include leading design delivery, coordinating with architecture and operations, and ensuring compliance with Uptime Institute,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 15 years of experience delivering data centre or mission-critical infrastructure projects.
• Proven leadership of MEP teams on hyperscale/data centre developments.
• Strong knowledge of data centre standards (Uptime Institute, TIA-942, ASHRAE, NFPA, IEEE/IEC).
• Experience with design management, commissioning, and operational readiness.

Responsibilities

• Lead MEP design engineering and delivery for hyperscale data centre projects.
• Provide strategic direction and technical leadership across MEP systems.
• Oversee design reviews, coordination, and integration of MEP systems.
• Ensure MEP designs meet reliability, uptime, and operational requirements.
• Manage multidisciplinary engineering teams, consultants, and contractors.
• Drive project execution from concept through construction, commissioning, and handover.
• Review and approve technical specifications, drawings, and calculations.

Skills

Electrical power distribution

UPS and backup power systems

Generators and fuel systems

HVAC and cooling infrastructure

Chillers, cooling towers, CRAH/CRAC

Fire detection and suppression

BMS

DCIM platforms

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Masters Degree in Engineering Project Management or MBA

Tools

BMS

DCIM platforms

Job description

Overview

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.

Your role

• 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 lifecycles.
• 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.

About you

• Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Building Services Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Masters 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, N1, 2N, 2N1).
• 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.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive at every stage of your life and your career.

• Tax‑free salary.
• Life insurance coverage.
• Medical insurance.
• Annual leave balance.
• Company gratuity scheme.
• Discretionary bonus program.
• Annual flight contribution.
• Transportation & housing allowances.
• Employee Wellbeing Program: 24/7 access to specialists in finance, legal matters, family care, personal health, fitness, and nutrition.

At AtkinsRéalis we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds, and perspectives. We strongly believe that world‑class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnicity, national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion, or disability but enriches itself through these differences.

Required Experience: Director