Product and Engineering Director

DATA4'S MISSION

DATA4 creates Smart & Scalable digital facilities for our customers. Our network of highly connected, resilient and sustainable data center campuses underpins our customers’ digital growth in Europe.

DATA4 Group finances, designs, constructs and operates its own data centers. Delivered through our data center campus model, we provide our customers with secure, scalable and high-performance data hosting solutions.

DATA4 VALUES

At DATA4 we are driven by our values. These are the core of everything we do – from the proactivity we show in delivering great outcomes for our clients, to the responsibility we show as a key contributor to the digital economy. Our three values are:

1. To be entrepreneurial – we are teams of doers who make things happen - with autonomy, energy and a sense of responsibility
2. To always take responsibility – for our impact on the people we work with, the society we are part of, and the environment in which we operate
3. To constantly be adaptable – our business is designed to adapt, answering not only today’s challenges, but also anticipating what’s coming next.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Data Center Engineer to Lead our Product and Engineering department. This leadership role focuses on leading all Engineering aspects of data center product and engineering, with leadership of subject matter experts. You will lead the engineering function to provide technical expertise, develop conceptual designs, oversee handover processes, represent the company in project meetings, and ensure the smooth implementation of matters related to Engineering. The role will also focus on developing Global Product standards and ensuring these are implemented on projects. This will also involve significant amount of work with Key internal and external stakeholders (including Clients) to develop standard Product solutions.

• Lead the development of an optimized data centre product appropriate for the market
• Own Quality in End to End process from Design to Lessons learned
• Define & ensure consistency at the platform level in terms of Product Design Standards
• Lead ongoing innovation and improvement of the product and engineering standards
• Support Lessons learned process between all sites & countries
• Lead and develop the product and engineering function, including SMEs and Budget

This position can be based in France (Marcoussis), Italy (Cornaredo), Spain (Alcobendas). 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Design Leadership & Product Ownership

• Act as the discipline owner for Product and Engineering within the Product, Engineering and Design organisation.
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of DATA4 design standards across all European campuses.
• Define and maintain design principles, technical specifications, standard details and approved solutions for data centre developments.
• Provide technical leadership during feasibility studies, due diligence activities and campus master planning exercises.
• Support the development of scalable and repeatable data centre products while driving consistency across projects and geographies.
• Ensure product designs align with operational, commercial, sustainability and customer requirements.

Conceptual & Detailed Design

• Lead technical aspects of design development for new campuses, expansions and retrofit projects.
• Review and approve conceptual, schematic, developed and detailed designs prepared by external consultants.
• Ensure designs achieve the required levels of resilience, safety, functionality, flexibility and operational efficiency.
• Evaluate structural systems, building envelopes, site development strategies, road networks, utilities interfaces and underground infrastructure.
• Coordinate interfaces between architectural, civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, controls and commissioning disciplines.

Technical Governance & Assurance

• Serve as the company's internal expert for all engineering matters.
• Establish and manage design governance processes, technical reviews and design assurance activities.
• Review consultant submissions and verify compliance with company standards, project requirements and applicable regulations.
• Ensure consistency of engineering solutions across multiple projects and countries.
• Support risk identification, mitigation and resolution.

Construction & Project Support

• Provide technical support during construction activities across multiple projects.
• Support project teams in resolving complex design, site and construction challenges.
• Review contractor proposals, value engineering initiatives and technical deviations.
• Participate in site inspections, quality audits and progress reviews.

Stakeholder Management & Representation

• Act as the primary product and engineering representative within the organisation.
• Collaborate with internal departments including Development, Construction, Operations, Procurement, Sustainability and Commercial teams.
• Manage relationships with external engineering consultants, architects, contractors and specialist suppliers.
• Represent DATA4 during technical meetings, design workshops, regulatory discussions and customer engagements.
• Communicate complex technical matters clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Monitor industry trends, technologies, materials and construction methodologies relevant to data centre development.
• Identify opportunities to optimise cost, programme, sustainability, scalability and operational performance.
• Lead the implementation of innovative design approaches and best practices.
• Analyse project feedback and lessons learned to continuously improve standards and processes.
• Contribute to sustainability initiatives, embodied carbon reduction strategies and circular economy objectives.

RESPONSIBILITES IN TERMS OF IMS CERTIFICATIONS

Respect and enforce certification policies in terms of:

• H&S: Respect and enforce health and safety rules.
• Environment: Respect and enforce environmental policies.
• Information security: Respect and enforce information security policies
• Energy: Respect and enforce the policy of reducing energy consumption.

REQUIREMENTS

Education and experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture Engineering.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in design and construction of mission-critical facilities, large industrial developments, commercial developments or data centres.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary design teams and managing external consultants.
• Demonstrated experience in design governance and technical assurance.
• Experience supporting projects throughout the full development and construction lifecycle.
• English: Fluent.

Technical skills

• Strong experience in whole data centre engineering.
• Knowledge of European building codes, structural standards and construction regulations.
• Experience with multidisciplinary coordination within mission-critical facilities.
• Experience reviewing engineering consultant deliverables and managing design reviews.
• Knowledge of BIM methodologies and digital design coordination processes.
• Understanding of sustainability principles and low-carbon construction strategies.
• Experience supporting construction activities and resolving field engineering issues.

Preferred:

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or other Registered professional qualification.
• Experience in hyperscale or colocation data centre developments.
• Experience in design standardisation and product development.
• Experience with BIM, Revit and common design collaboration platforms.
• Create strong cross functional relationships

Behavioral skills

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proactive: Takes initiative and ownership of tasks without needing constant direction.
• Accountable: Admits mistakes, learns from them, and delivers on commitments.
• Agile: Learns quickly and applies new knowledge in practical situations.
• Collaborative: Works effectively with diverse teams and adapts communication styles accordingly.
• Resilient: Maintains a positive attitude and composure under pressure.
• Independent: Works autonomously and takes calculated risks.
• Data-driven: Makes decisions based on evidence and analysis.

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