Technical Director - Data Centre

About the role

The Technical Director - Data Centres is the senior technical authority for multidisciplinary engineering services on Data Centre projects across the Middle East. The role ensures technical excellence, design quality, governance compliance and successful project delivery, while also supporting the development and expansion of AtkinsRéalis' Data Centre market sector together with the Market Director.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic technical direction for hyperscale, colocation, enterprise and edge Data Centre developments and review and approve major engineering strategies and design philosophies.
• Lead resolution of complex technical challenges, constructability issues and multidisciplinary coordination, and ensure designs meet resilience, reliability, maintainability, energy efficiency and operational flexibility.
• Ensure compliance with quality management processes, technical governance frameworks and OCRA requirements, lead peer reviews and audits, and act as technical signatory for major deliverables where delegated authority permits.
• Provide specialist expertise in mission-critical building systems, including power generation and distribution, UPS and battery systems, cooling and thermal management, fire protection, BMS, DCIM and security and communications systems.
• Work with the Market Director on market strategy, client engagement, thought leadership, marketing material and business planning.
• Lead technical input for major bids, support fee development, risk assessments and resource planning, and prepare client presentations and interview submissions.
• Oversee multiple commissions, support Project Directors and Project Managers, and review project performance, risks and resources.
• Promote digital engineering (BIM, Digital Twin, automation, AI-enabled workflows) and champion sustainable, resilient design aligned with decarbonisation and Net Zero objectives.
• Mentor senior engineers, support succession planning and foster knowledge sharing across the regional and global Data Centre community.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Building Services Engineering or a related discipline; Master's degree desirable.
• Chartered Engineer status (CEng, PE or equivalent) and membership of a relevant professional body such as CIBSE, IET, IEEE or ASHRAE.
• Typically 20+ years post-graduate experience, including significant experience delivering mission-critical or Data Centre projects.
• Proven leadership in a major international consultancy and ability to manage complex multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong client-facing and stakeholder management experience.