Director of Design Engineering

xNorth™ - Executive Leadership Solutions; Texas; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

xNorth™ - Executive Leadership Solutions seeks a Director of Design Engineering to lead the data center design function from concept through construction documentation. You will coordinate electrical, mechanical, architectural disciplines and ensure designs meet customer requirements, codes, budgets, and schedules.

Reporting to a senior executive, the role will develop the design team, manage external consultants, and establish standards and quality controls.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of design engineering experience with leadership responsibilities.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary data center design.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the US is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and grow the internal design team.
• Oversee data center design from concept through construction documentation.
• Coordinate electrical, mechanical, architectural, and other design disciplines.
• Establish design standards, review processes, and quality controls.
• Manage external architecture, engineering, and specialist design consultants.
• Ensure designs meet customer requirements, codes, budgets, and schedules.
• Develop repeatable design approaches while accommodating project-specific needs.
• Collaborate with engineering, procurement, and construction teams to ensure deliverability.
• Support construction and commissioning teams in resolving design issues.

Skills

Leadership

Multidisciplinary design

Strategic planning

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Job description

xNorth is supporting a company operating in the data center sector, through an exclusive search for a Director of Design Engineering.

Reporting to a senior executive, the Director will lead and develop the design function, overseeing multidisciplinary data center design and improving quality and consistency across projects. The role works closely with engineering and project delivery leaders.

Scope of the Role

• Lead, develop, and grow the internal design team.
• Oversee data center design from initial concepts through detailed design and construction documentation.
• Coordinate electrical, mechanical, architectural, and other design disciplines.
• Establish design standards, review processes, and quality controls.
• Manage external architecture, engineering, and specialist design consultants.
• Ensure designs meet customer requirements, applicable codes, budgets, and schedules.
• Develop repeatable design approaches while accommodating project-specific needs.
• Work with engineering, procurement, and construction teams to ensure designs can be delivered effectively.
• Support construction and commissioning teams in resolving design issues.
• Manage design resources, priorities, technical risks, and delivery performance.

Candidate Background

• 10+ years of experience in design engineering, with significant leadership responsibility.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary data center design.
• Strong understanding of electrical power, mechanical cooling, and their integration within data center facilities.
• Ability to build and develop teams and manage external design partners.
• Experience overseeing design from concept through construction documentation and delivery.
• Understanding of constructability, procurement, commissioning, and project delivery.
• Effective communication with senior leaders, technical teams, clients, and external partners.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related discipline.
• Active US Professional Engineer (PE) license required.