Associate Director - Mechanical Design

Eligo Recruitment; Greater London; Remote; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency seeks an Associate Director of Mechanical Design to lead critical data center projects. The ideal candidate has over 10 years of mechanical engineering expertise, experience in team management, and project oversight. This role allows for remote work with required travel across the EU. The candidate must possess exceptional communication and relationship-building skills while championing design excellence in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of recognized technical expertise in mechanical engineering related to data centers.
• 3+ years of experience in people management, leading and mentoring teams.
• 3+ years of project management experience, overseeing mechanical engineering projects.

Responsibilities

• Review and approve technical designs to ensure compliance.
• Enhance project functionality and optimize costs.
• Manage group resources and train junior members.
• Ensure collaboration between Mechanical and Electrical teams.
• Interpret contracts and liaise with senior management.

Skills

Exceptional communication

Presentation skills

Organizational capabilities

Education

Bachelor's (Honours) degree in Engineering

Job description

Associate Director, Mechanical Design (Remote - UK /EU Travel)

About the Role

As an Associate Director of Mechanical Design, you will be a pivotal leader, working on a diverse range of critical data centre projects across the EMEA region. Operating as a key member of the management team, you are a proven self-starter and a talented problem-solver. You will apply current mechanical design technologies, exercise independent technical and financial judgment, and thrive in a fast-paced, agile environment. This role requires an experienced leader who is committed to upholding the highest standards of design processes and engineering techniques through close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.

Candidate Profile

This senior position offers a remote work arrangement based in The UK, with essential travel throughout the European Union to meet project and team needs.

• Education: Bachelor's (Honours) degree in Engineering or a related field. Chartered Engineer status is an advantage but not mandatory.
• Experience:
  • 10+ years of recognized technical expertise within the sector, specifically in mechanical engineering related to data centers and/or complex industrial/high-tech and commercial facilities.
  • 3+ years of progressive experience in people management, leading and mentoring multidisciplinary teams (including consultants and in-house engineers).
  • 3+ years of project management experience, overseeing the successful delivery of both electrical and mechanical engineering projects.
• Skills: Exceptional communication, presentation, and organizational capabilities. Proven ability to build effective working relationships with employees at all levels and with external partners.
• Mindset: Strong drive for continuous innovation, adoption of emerging technologies, and championing design process excellence.

Key Day-to-Day Activities

• Design & Quality Oversight: Review and approve complex technical designs to ensure full compliance with scope and functional requirements. Lead a high-performing team, championing Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) to meet stringent project deadlines.
• Technical & Financial Enhancement: Enhance project functionality and optimise costs. Monitor expenditure and innovate to minimise expenses.
• Resource & Team Management: Manage group resources, including effective outsourcing strategies. Conduct monthly one-on-ones and maintain informal communication to monitor team development. Train junior members and implement clear action plans for performance improvement.
• Collaboration & Communication: Ensure effective collaboration and seamless integration between Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) teams. Effectively communicate complex information to external parties (clients, suppliers, partners, vendors) and build strong relationships with key business associates.
• Business & Contractual Acumen: Interpret contracts, understand terms and conditions, and ensure all work adheres to established parameters. Assist in the procurement of new business and liaise with senior management regarding relevant industry trends, new products, and technologies.
• Strategic Input: Represent the engineering group to the wider company, providing strategic inputs to shape Quality Assurance procedures and ensure the team is up-to-date on new technologies.
• Project Delivery: Manage a team in the simultaneous delivery of multiple large-scale capital projects.

Eligo Recruitment is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. Eligo is proud to be an equal opportunity employer dedicated to fostering diversity and creating an inclusive and equitable environment for employees and applicants. We actively celebrate and embrace differences, including but not limited to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, and disability. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences and all will be considered for employment without discrimination. At Eligo Recruitment diversity, equity and inclusion is integral to achieving our mission to ensure every workplace reflects the richness of human diversity.