Associate Director – Electrical (Data Centres)

Black & White Engineering; Lombardia; Hybrid; EUR 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Black & White Engineering is seeking an Associate Director of Electrical Engineering to lead complex data centre projects in Europe. Milan-based with hybrid working, you will shape electrical infrastructure design and deliver high-uptime solutions for hyperscale clients.

You will mentor engineers, coordinate across multi-disciplinary teams, and engage directly with clients to drive technical excellence, resilience, and scalable power systems.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Electrical Engineering or Building Services.
• Extensive data centre electrical building services design experience.
• Strong knowledge of LV distribution, standby power, UPS, earthing.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams and client-facing roles.
• Chartered Engineer status or equivalent is advantageous.
• Proficiency with Revit, AutoCAD and BIM environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the electrical design across data centre projects from concept to delivery.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers.
• Engage with clients and stakeholders to shape project outcomes.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary design teams and contractors.
• Ensure resilience, reliability, and performance of electrical systems.
• Contribute to business development and portfolio growth.

Skills

Electrical design

Data centre experience

Client-facing

Leadership

Revit/AutoCAD/BIM

Education

Degree in Electrical Engineering/Building Services

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

BIM

Job description

Associate Director - Electrical (Data Centres)

Location: Milan, Hybrid Working

As an Associate Director with an Electrical Engineering background, you'll have the opportunity to lead the development of some of the most advanced data centres and mission-critical facilities being delivered across Europe and beyond.

This is a role where your expertise will directly influence high-profile projects for global hyperscale, colocation, and technology clients. You'll work on facilities that demand exceptional levels of resilience, reliability, and performance, helping deliver the electrical infrastructure that powers cloud computing, artificial intelligence, financial services, telecommunications, and other critical digital services relied upon by millions of people every day.

From concept design through to technical delivery, construction support and commissioning, you'll lead the design of complex electrical systems including power distribution, UPS, standby generation, earthing and lightning protection systems. You'll provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams, engage directly with clients, mentor developing engineers, and help shape innovative engineering solutions for some of the world's most demanding environments.

Whether your ambition is to become a recognised technical authority, lead major project portfolios, or progress into senior business leadership, this role offers the scale, complexity, and visibility needed to accelerate your professional growth.

What's In It For You

Work on Industry-Leading Data Centre Projects

Gain exposure to some of the largest and most technically challenging hyperscale and colocation developments in Europe, delivering solutions for globally recognised technology clients.

Technical Leadership & Influence

Lead electrical design strategies and provide technical direction across multidisciplinary engineering teams, influencing decisions that shape project success.

Complex Engineering Challenges

Develop resilient electrical infrastructure solutions including LV distribution, standby power, UPS systems, critical power networks and energy‑efficient design strategies within facilities where uptime is paramount.

Client Engagement & Industry Visibility

Build trusted relationships with clients and stakeholders while becoming recognised as a key contributor within the mission‑critical engineering sector.

Mentorship & Team Development

Share your expertise with developing engineers, helping to build technical capability while strengthening your own leadership and people management skills.

Outstanding Career Progression

Join a rapidly growing international consultancy where experienced engineers have genuine opportunities to progress into technical, operational and leadership positions.

Essential Skills

• Degree qualified in Electrical Engineering, Building Services Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience delivering electrical building services design projects within data centres, mission‑critical facilities, commercial developments, healthcare, pharmaceutical, semiconductor, or similarly complex environments.
• Strong knowledge of LV distribution, standby generation, UPS systems, earthing and critical electrical infrastructure.
• Proven experience leading complex engineering projects and multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Strong level of experience in a client‑facing role.
• Experience undertaking electrical calculations, equipment selection, specification writing and technical design reviews.
• Proficiency with industry‑standard software such as Revit, AutoCAD and BIM environments.
• Strong understanding of Italian, European and international engineering standards and regulations.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with clients, consultants, contractors and multidisciplinary design teams.
• Chartered Engineer status or equivalent professional accreditation is advantageous.
• Experience mentoring engineers and providing technical leadership.
• Excellent communication, commercial awareness and stakeholder management skills.
• Data centre or mission‑critical engineering experience would be highly advantageous.

In addition, you will be joining a community that focuses on learning and development through regular knowledge‑sharing sessions, investment in accredited professional courses, and ongoing support for professional development. You can set the pace for your career, and whatever path you choose, you'll receive the support needed to achieve your goals.

In addition, you will be joining a community that focuses on learning and development through regular lunch and learn sessions, investment in accredited professional courses or educational programmes. You can set the pace for your professional development, and whatever path you choose, you will receive relevant support.

Company Overview

About Black & White Engineering

Black & White Engineering is a multi‑award‑winning engineering consultancy with more than 1,300 employees across the UK, Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific and North America.

We specialise in the full spectrum of engineering design consultancy for the data centre sector, including Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing (MEP), Civil & Structural, Design Management, Sustainability, BIM, Power Systems and other infrastructure‑related services.

Our engineering approach is grounded in practicality, technical excellence and operational efficiency. With rapid growth across regions, many colleagues have progressed from engineering roles into leadership positions — your future development is supported and recognised.