Description
We are seeking an Associate Director – Mission Critical & Data Centres (Electrical) to join our team in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
As an Associate Director, you will serve as the single point of contact for all technical aspects of assigned data center projects, leading client discussions and negotiating technical scopes. You will lead and approve concept, schematic, and detailed designs across electrical and mechanical disciplines, including UPS, generators, switchgear, HVAC, cooling, public health systems, Building Management Systems, fire protection, and fire/life safety.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing and standardizing scalable, repeatable data center solutions to drive consistency and efficiencies across UAE and KSA
- Conducting site assessments, capacity planning, and feasibility studies aligned with Uptime Institute Tier requirements
- Ensuring compliance with international standards (Uptime Institute, TIA-942, NFPA, ASHRAE) and local regulations
- Mentoring and coaching engineering teams, driving knowledge transfer, and capturing lessons learned for continuous improvement
- Collaborating with the supervision team and other stakeholders to control costs, manage vendors, and mitigate technical risks
- Driving business growth by contributing to technical proposals, client presentations, and identifying opportunities for service enhancements
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Building Services Engineering
- 10+ years of progressive experience in planning, designing, and delivering large-scale data centers, including multiple Uptime Tier III/IV projects
- Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and coordinate stakeholders in complex, matrixed environments
- Professional certifications such as Uptime Tier Certified Professional, PMP, LEED AP, or BICSI RCDD are highly desirable
- In-depth knowledge of MV/LV power distribution, UPS, emergency generators, CRAC units, economizers, chilled-water systems, VFDs, fire detection/suppression, BMS, and DCIM platforms
Preferred qualifications include experience with fast-track design/build projects and/or multiple significant upgrade projects for large-scale technical operations or large-scale compute farms, as well as familiarity with local and international codes and standards, including NEC, IEC, ISO 50001, ISO 27001, PDPL, and ESMA.