Design Director (Data Centres) | First Point Group | Singapore

First Point Group; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

First Point Group is seeking a Design Director to lead the engineering and design strategy for its expanding data centre platform in Singapore and beyond. You will serve as the organisation’s senior technical authority, shaping standards, governance, and delivery excellence across projects.

Based in Singapore, you will build and mentor an internal engineering and design team, partner with developers, consultants and contractors, and drive reliability, scalability, and energy efficiency in every

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, civil engineering or data centre engineering.
• Extensive data centre design and infrastructure delivery experience.
• Proven leadership of large-scale mission-critical projects.
• Strong knowledge of Tier III/Tier IV and data centre standards.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Serve as senior technical authority for data centre engineering.
• Lead engineering strategy across the portfolio.
• Oversee design phases from concept to construction.
• Review and approve mechanical, electrical, civil, telecom design.
• Establish engineering standards and governance frameworks.
• Manage external consultants and engineering partners.
• Provide technical leadership during project lifecycle.
• Ensure designs meet reliability, scalability, redundancy requirements.
• Evaluate new technologies for efficiency improvements.
• Support cost optimization and risk mitigation.
• Build and mentor internal engineering teams.
• Collaborate with executives on technical strategy and investments.

Skills

Data centre engineering

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Stakeholder management

Multinational project experience

Design governance

Consultant management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Civil/Data Centre Engineering

Tools

BIM

Digital engineering

Job description

Job Title: Design Director (Data Centres) | First Point Group | Singapore

Recruiting Company: First Point Group (on behalf of a Data Centre Developer/Operator)

Job Location: Singapore

Job Type: Full-Time

Application Method: Contact: [e-mail]

Hiring Information

• Hiring Contact: Christopher Lamb, Managing Director Asia
• Industry: Data Centres & Digital Infrastructure
• Seniority Level: Director / Head of Engineering
• Leadership Opportunity: Build and Lead Engineering & Design Function
• International Data Centre Portfolio Exposure

Position Summary

A well-funded and rapidly expanding data centre developer/operator is seeking a Design Director to lead the engineering and design strategy for its growing international platform. This role offers a unique opportunity to serve as the organization’s senior technical authority while establishing and scaling a world-class design and engineering function.

Detailed Job Description

As the Design Director, you will be responsible for overseeing the design, engineering, technical governance, and delivery standards across data centre development projects. Acting initially as the organization’s Head of Engineering, you will provide technical leadership throughout the project lifecycle, from concept development and design review through construction support and operational readiness. The successful candidate will work closely with executive leadership, development teams, consultants, contractors, and technology partners to ensure facilities are designed for reliability, scalability, efficiency, and long-term operational excellence. As the business expands, you will play a pivotal role in building and managing an internal engineering and design team while establishing technical standards and best practices across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior technical authority for all data centre engineering and design activities.
• Lead the engineering strategy for data centre developments across the organization’s portfolio.
• Oversee conceptual, schematic, detailed, and construction design phases.
• Review and approve mechanical, electrical, civil, structural, and telecommunications design deliverables.
• Establish engineering standards, design guidelines, and technical governance frameworks.
• Manage external consultants, engineering partners, and specialist design firms.
• Provide technical leadership during project planning, development, construction, and commissioning.
• Ensure designs meet reliability, scalability, redundancy, sustainability, and operational requirements.
• Evaluate new technologies and innovations to improve facility performance and efficiency.
• Support cost optimization, value engineering, and risk mitigation initiatives.
• Collaborate with development, project management, operations, and commercial teams.
• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing engineering and design team as the portfolio scales.
• Support executive stakeholders with technical strategy, reporting, and investment decisions.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Data Centre Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience in data centre design, engineering, development, or infrastructure delivery.
• Proven experience leading large-scale mission-critical infrastructure projects.
• Strong understanding of data centre architecture, design standards, and operational requirements.
• Expertise in power systems, cooling systems, redundancy models, and critical infrastructure.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary engineering and consultant teams.
• Strong knowledge of Tier III/Tier IV, Uptime Institute, TIA, or equivalent data centre standards.
• Demonstrated leadership experience within engineering, design, or technical management roles.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to balance technical and business objectives.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and leadership skills.
• Experience working across multinational or regional infrastructure development programmes.

Nice‑to‑Have Skills

• Professional Engineering (PE) registration or equivalent credentials.
• Experience with hyperscale or colocation data centre developments.
• Knowledge of sustainable design and energy efficiency initiatives.
• Experience with commissioning, integrated systems testing, and operational readiness.
• Familiarity with BIM, digital engineering, and advanced design management practices.
• Experience managing international project portfolios.
• PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent project management certifications.
• Knowledge of emerging technologies such as AI‑ready infrastructure and liquid cooling solutions.

Recruitment Pro Tip

For senior data centre leadership roles, employers want evidence of both technical authority and organisational impact. Highlight major data centre projects delivered, total MW capacity managed, engineering teams led, consultant management experience, and measurable achievements related to reliability, efficiency, cost optimisation, scalability, or successful project delivery. Demonstrating experience in building engineering teams and establishing technical standards can significantly strengthen your candidacy for a Design Director or Head of Engineering position.