Design Manager

Nscale; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading AI infrastructure company based in Southampton seeks a Design Manager to oversee the design and permitting of cutting-edge AI-optimised data centres across Europe. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of experience in design engineering or management for data centres, a strong understanding of MEP systems, and proficiency in BIM workflows. You will collaborate with diverse teams to ensure that high-performance infrastructures meet world-class standards. Join early to shape the future and enjoy a competitive package in a flexible working environment.

Benefits

Unlimited growth potential

Competitive salary and bonus

Equity options

Remote/hybrid work setup

Qualifications

• 5+ years in design engineering or design management for data centres.
• Experience with permitting across European jurisdictions.
• Knowledge of high-density power infrastructure.
• Ability to work in collaborative remote teams.
• Fluency in English is a must.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design lifecycle for AI-optimised data centres.
• Coordinate with internal teams and external consultants.
• Manage permitting processes across Europe.
• Design facilities for advanced AI infrastructure.
• Ensure quality and compliance of design packages.
• Maintain project schedules and documentation control.

Skills

Design engineering experience

MEP systems knowledge

Team collaboration

Proficiency in Revit

Fluency in English

Tools

Revit

Navisworks

BIM-based workflows

Job description

About Nscale

At Nscale, we are building the infrastructure for Europe’s AI revolution. Nscale are developing cutting‑edge sovereign generative AI solutions, powered by a new generation of high‑performance, sustainable data centres and GPUs built specifically for AI workloads.

The growth of artificial intelligence is driving unprecedented global demand for compute and GPU infrastructure. Nscale is positioned at the heart of this transformation — building the platforms that will enable the next decade of innovation.

Nscale are working closely with the world’s most advanced AI technology providers, integrating next‑gen compute hardware and GPU clusters in both partner and Nscale built facilities. This is an opportunity to join Nscale’s journey, play a key role in delivering transformative AI infrastructure, and help shape a company designed to scale rapidly across Europe and beyond.

The Role

We’re looking for an experienced and driven Design Manager to lead the technical design and permitting of AI‑optimised data centres across Europe. Reporting to the Development Director, these roles will be essential in ensuring our facilities are built to world‑class technical standards, delivered on schedule, to budget, and adaptable to the rapidly evolving needs of AI compute.

You’ll work together with Construction, Cost Management, and in‑country delivery teams, as well as collaborating with key technology providers and external design partners to bring high‑density infrastructure from concept to reality.

Key Responsibilities

• Design Leadership : Lead the full lifecycle of data centre and infrastructure design — from concept development through construction drawings — Nscale’s solution is tailored to support dense AI compute, low‑latency workloads, and high‑efficiency operations.
• Team Coordination : Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders (construction, cost, engineering, in‑country teams) and external consultants (architects, MEP, CSA) to align design with business objectives and needs.
• Permitting Management : Oversee and manage permitting processes across multiple European jurisdictions; coordinate with local consultants and public authorities to secure approvals.
• AI Infrastructure Alignment : Design and adapt facilities to accommodate advanced compute clusters, high‑power electrical infrastructure, and liquid cooling solutions. Familiarity with modern AI compute architecture is a strong advantage.
• Stakeholder & Consultant Engagement : Manage internal alignment and external consultant teams, ensuring cohesive, accurate, and high‑quality design deliverables that meet technical and operational standards.
• Quality Assurance & Risk Management : Review design packages for code compliance, constructability, and performance. Identify risks early and implement design changes to maintain project trajectory.
• Schedule & Documentation Control : Maintain project schedules, deliverable tracking, and clear documentation workflows using BIM and cloud‑based collaboration tools.

Who You Are

• Experienced – 5+ years in design engineering or design management with relevant data centre, mission‑critical, or high‑performance computing projects.
• Permitting‑Savvy – Proven experience delivering permits across European jurisdictions.
• Technically Strong – Deep knowledge of MEP systems, high‑density power, and infrastructure suited for AI compute.
• Collaborative – Comfortable working across teams and time zones, including remote and hybrid models. NScale’s culture is to build collaborative teams of which you will be an integral part.
• Fluency in English is required; other European languages are an advantage.
• Digitally Fluent – Proficient with Revit, Navisworks, and BIM‑based workflows.
• Startup‑Ready – Flexible, proactive, and ready to help build world leading AI systems, culture, and scale.

Why Join Nscale?

• Join as an early team member and shape the future of a company set to grow rapidly across Europe. There is unlimited growth potential for the right team member.
• Directly contribute to building the next wave of data centres powering world‑class AI platforms.
• Collaborating with the most advanced AI hardware and GPU infrastructure partners in the world.
• Enjoy a remote / hybrid setup built on autonomy and accountability.
• Highly competitive package inclusive of salary, bonus and equity options.