Associate Director – Mechanical (Data Centres)

Black & White Engineering; Lombardia; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Black & White Engineering's Milan office seeks an Associate Director - Mechanical (Data centres) to lead the design of mission-critical facilities across Europe. You will shape cooling strategies, HVAC and infrastructure for 24/7 operations from concept through commissioning.

You will mentor engineers, engage clients, and influence solutions for hyperscale and colocation clients, with a clear path to leadership in a rapidly growing consultancy.

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Building Services Engineering.
• Significant experience delivering mechanical building services design for data centres or similar.
• Strong knowledge of HVAC, cooling technologies, and critical infrastructure.
• Client facing experience and ability to lead multidisciplinary design teams.
• Chartered Engineer status or working towards accreditation.

Skills

Mechanical Engineering

Building Services Engineering

HVAC systems

Chilled water systems

Cooling technologies

Ventilation systems

Heat rejection solutions

Critical infrastructure

Client facing

Engineering calculations

Thermal modelling

Equipment selection

Technical design reviews

Revit

AutoCAD

IES

Hevacomp

BIM environments

Italian/European/international codes

Multidisciplinary leadership

Chartered Engineer (CEng)

Mentoring

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree qualified in Mechanical Engineering or Building Services Engineering

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

IES

Hevacomp

BIM environments

Job description

Associate Director - Mechanical (Data centres)

Location: Milan, Hybrid Working

As an Associate Director with a Mechanical Engineering background within our Milan office, 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, efficiency, and performance. This includes designing mechanical systems that support 24/7 operations where downtime simply isn't an option. From innovative cooling strategies and sustainable design solutions to complex HVAC and critical infrastructure systems, you'll be involved throughout the full project lifecycle, from concept and technical design through to construction support and commissioning. You'll collaborate with industry-leading engineers, engage directly with clients, mentor developing talent, and help shape engineering solutions that support cloud computing, artificial intelligence, financial services, telecommunications, and other critical digital services relied upon by millions of people every day. Whether your ambition is to become a recognised technical specialist, lead major project teams, or progress towards senior 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 mission-critical developments in Europe, delivering solutions for globally recognised clients operating at hyperscale.
• Technical Leadership & Influence – Take ownership of mechanical design strategies and provide direction across multidisciplinary teams, influencing decisions that shape project success.
• Complex Engineering Challenges – Develop innovative solutions for cooling, resilience, sustainability, energy efficiency, and critical infrastructure within facilities where performance is paramount.
• Client Engagement & Industry Visibility – Build trusted relationships with clients and stakeholders while becoming recognised as a key contributor within the data centre engineering community.
• Mentorship & Team Development – Share your expertise with developing engineers, helping to build technical capability while strengthening your own leadership skills.
• Outstanding Career Progression – Join a rapidly growing consultancy where experienced engineers have genuine opportunities to progress into technical, operational, and leadership positions.

Essential Skills

• Degree qualified in Mechanical Engineering or Building Services Engineering.
• Significant experience delivering mechanical building services design within data centres, mission-critical facilities, pharmaceutical, healthcare, semiconductor, or similarly complex environments.
• Strong knowledge of HVAC systems, chilled water systems, cooling technologies, ventilation systems, heat rejection solutions, and critical mechanical infrastructure.
• Strong level of experience in a client facing role.
• Experience undertaking engineering calculations, thermal modelling, equipment selection, and technical design reviews.
• Proficiency with industry-standard software such as Revit, AutoCAD, IES, Hevacomp, and BIM environments.
• Strong understanding of Italian, European, and international engineering standards and regulations.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary design teams and coordinate effectively with clients, contractors, and consultants.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or working towards professional accreditation.
• Proven ability to mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

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.