Technical Director - Data Centre

Atkins Realis Group; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Atkins Realis Group seeks a Technical Director Data Centres to lead technical excellence and governance across the Middle East Data Centre projects. You will steer design philosophies, complex multidisciplinary coordination, and ensure resilience and energy efficiency throughout the project lifecycle.

You will collaborate with the Market Director to grow the Data Centre sector, engage major clients, and advance innovation, digital delivery and thought leadership within a leading engineering

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical or building services engineering.
• Chartered Engineer status (CEng, PE or equivalent).
• Twenty years post-graduate experience in mission-critical or data centre projects.

Responsibilities

• Act as the highest level of technical authority for Data Centre projects in the region.
• Provide strategic technical direction for hyperscale, colocation, enterprise and edge developments.
• Lead technical reviews, design governance, audits and risk management.
• Support development of regional Data Centre market strategy and client engagement.

Skills

Technical Leadership

Engineering Excellence

Design Governance

Data Centre SME

Market Development

Client Engagement

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical/Electrical Building Services

Chartered Engineer status (CEng/PE)

Tools

BMS

DCIM

Job description

The Technical Director Data Centres is the senior technical authority for Multidisciplinary engineering services associated with Data Centre projects across the Middle East region. The role is responsible for ensuring technical excellence, design quality, governance compliance, innovation, digital delivery and successful project execution across all stages of the project lifecycle. The position provides leadership to project teams, supports strategic client engagement, leads technical input into major pursuits and serves as a trusted advisor to clients and internal stakeholders. In addition to project delivery responsibilities, the role is accountable for supporting the development and expansion of AtkinsR alis Data Centre market sector in partnership with the Market Director. This includes sector strategy development, client engagement, market intelligence, thought leadership, capability building and work-winning support. The Technical Director is expected to be recognised both internally and externally as a subject matter expert in mission-critical facilities and to contribute to the growth and reputation of AtkinsR alis as a leading Data Centre engineering consultant.

Your role

Technical Leadership amp Engineering Excellence: Act as the highest level of technical authority for Data Centre projects. Provide strategic technical direction for hyperscale, colocation, enterprise and edge Data Centre developments. Review and approve major engineering strategies, design philosophies and technical solutions. Lead resolution of complex technical challenges, constructability issues and multidisciplinary coordination matters. Ensure designs achieve optimum levels of resilience, reliability, maintainability, energy efficiency and operational flexibility. Support projects through design reviews, assurance gates and independent technical audits. Promote best practice engineering methodologies and continuous improvement across project teams. Champion technical excellence and innovation throughout the project lifecycle.

Design Governance amp Quality Assurance

Ensure compliance with AtkinsR alis quality management processes, technical governance frameworks and OCRA requirements. Lead peer reviews, technical audits and independent design verifications. Maintain alignment with applicable international standards, local authority regulations and client requirements. Monitor technical risks and develop mitigation strategies. Ensure lessons learned are captured and incorporated into future project delivery. Act as technical signatory for major deliverables where delegated authority permits.

Data Centre Subject Matter Expertise

Provide specialist expertise in mission-critical building systems including Civil, Architectural and Structural envelope, Power generation and distribution systems, UPS systems and battery technologies, Cooling and thermal management systems, Water conservation and sustainability solutions, Fire protection and life safety systems, Building Management Systems (BMS), Data Centre Infrastructure Management (DCIM), Security and critical communications systems. Maintain awareness of emerging technologies and industry trends affecting Data Centre design and operation. Promote adoption of innovative solutions that improve performance, resilience and sustainability.

Market Sector Development

Working jointly with the Market Director, support development and implementation of the regional Data Centre market strategy. Identify emerging opportunities and growth areas within the mission-critical sector. Build and maintain relationships with hyperscale operators, colocation providers, investors, developers and technology partners. Participate in executive client engagement programmes. Represent AtkinsR alis at industry forums, conferences and sector events. Develop sector-specific marketing material, thought leadership publications and technical papers. Contribute to annual business planning, forecasting and pipeline development. Support strategic account planning and key client relationship management. Help position AtkinsR alis as a preferred engineering advisor within the Data Centre market.

Key Accountabilities

The role holder shall be accountable for Technical quality of Data Centre engineering outputs, Technical governance compliance and risk management, Successful delivery of major and complex Data Centre projects, Growth of AtkinsR alis technical reputation within the market, Development of Data Centre sector capability and market presence, Contribution to sector revenue growth and work winning, Technical development and mentoring of engineering teams, Adoption of innovation and digital delivery initiatives.

Education

Bachelor s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Building Services Engineering or related discipline. Master s Degree desirable.

Professional Qualifications

Chartered Engineer status (CEng, PE or equivalent recognised institution). Membership of a relevant professional institution such as CIBSE, IET, IEEE, ASHRAE or equivalent.

Experience

Typically 20 years post-graduate experience. Significant experience delivering mission-critical or Data Centre projects. Proven record of leadership within a major international consultancy. Demonstrated capability managing complex multidisciplinary engineering teams. Strong client-facing and stakeholder management experience. Evidence of successful work-winning and business development activities.

Technical Knowledge

Demonstrable knowledge of Uptime Institute principles, TIA-942, ASHRAE Data Centre guidance, NFPA standards, IEC and IEEE standards, High-voltage and low-voltage electrical systems, Critical cooling technologies, Resilience and redundancy strategies, Sustainability and energy optimisation approaches.