Design Manager - Data Centers - Dubai

The Design Manager / Project Manager will own end-to-end project delivery for large, multidisciplinary data centre and mission-critical facility projects, responsible for scope definition, schedule management, integrated design quality, client engagement, and commercial success. 

This role goes beyond design coordination and requires complete lifecycle ownership from concept development and team assembly through detailed design delivery, construction support, commissioning coordination, and project close-out. You will lead all technical disciplines, manage resource planning and allocation, track financial performance and profitability, and serve as the primary client interface ensuring expectations are met and relationships are strengthened. 

 

Client Engagement  

Act as the primary project interface with clients and senior stakeholders, leading project design review meetings, and executive steering committee sessions 

Continuously engage clients on deliverables, priorities, risks, and schedule/budget performance, proactively surfacing issues and managing expectations 

Resolve scope ambiguities, change requests, and conflicts between client needs and project constraints 

Build and maintain strong client relationships through clear communication, demonstrated progress, and reliable delivery 

 

Design Management & LDC 

Initiate and setup the project, the tools, the schedule, introduce the teams, create the workstreams, draft and monitor the WBS 

Lead and oversee all technical disciplines – Mechanical (HVAC, cooling, fire protection), Electrical (MV/LV systems, UPS, generators), ELV/IBMS (controls, security, monitoring), Architecture (planning, compliance), Structural (foundations, loads), and Civil (site development, utilities) 

Manage and coordinate third-party consultants and stakeholders in the project. Establish communication processes and ensure the highest level of quality and coordination between disciplines 

Establish and maintain a structured coordination process 

Identify and resolve complex cross-discipline conflicts at early design stage (concept/schematic) before they become costly rework 

Ensure all discipline outputs (SLDs, P&IDs, layouts, specifications) are coordinated, integrated, and constructible before client submission 

Review design for buildability and operability 

Identify and assess technical, schedule, budget, and commercial risks at project inception and continuously throughout delivery 

Develop mitigation strategies for identified risks and track mitigation status 

Manage change requests and scope variations using formal change control process and quantify impact 

Communicate schedule status and risks to client  

Develop and maintain the master project schedule incorporating all disciplines, design stages, client reviews, and permitting milestones 

Track schedule performance, identify delays early and implement corrective actions 

 

Technical Oversight & Design Quality 

Review key design deliverables across all disciplines to ensure compliance with TIA-942, Uptime Tier standards, ASHRAE, NFPA/NBC fire codes, and local UAE regulations 

Guide multidisciplinary teams in solving complex technical challenges and ensuring design solutions are optimal, integrated, and aligned with project objectives 

Manage BIM coordination workflow 

Ensure quality standards are maintained across all project stages 

Support to Project Manager 

Provide information to the project manager regarding monthly reporting on project budget vs actual, timesheets, and utilization 

Provide the input and produce the monthly EVM reports 

Monitor resource utilization efficiency 

Provide all related input for the monthly P&L reports 

Team Leadership & Capability Building 

Lead and motivate the multidisciplinary project team  

Create a collaborative team culture  

Exceptional verbal and written communication in English 

Ability to communicate with C-suite clients, internal senior leadership, and multidisciplinary teams 

Accountability and decision-making skills 

Client-facing skills and managing senior stakeholder relationships 

Proven ability to mentor engineers and develop high-performing teams

Technical Expertise 

Strong working knowledge across multiple disciplines: HVAC & mechanical systems, electrical power systems, ELV/IBMS, architecture, and structural design 

Understanding of data center design processes 

Extended knowledge of current data center requirements, AI infrastructure, construction methods, etc 

Ability to review and understand design outputs: Single Line Diagrams (SLDs), P&ID drawings, system layouts, BIM models, equipment schedules, and technical specifications 

Understanding of how design decisions cascade across disciplines 

Familiarity with data centre standards and requirements: TIA-942, Uptime Institute Tier III/IV, ASHRAE 90.4, fire codes, and UAE regulatory landscape 

 

Project & Delivery Management 

8+ years of project management or design management experience, with at least 5 years managing data centre or mission-critical facility projects 

Proven track record of delivering large, multidisciplinary projects on schedule and within budget 

Experience managing teams of engineers across multiple disciplines and geographies 

Demonstrated ability to identify schedule/budget risks early and implement corrective actions 

 

Qualifications & Experience 

BE in Mechanical, Electrical, or Building Services (or equivalent) 

PMP (Project Management Professional) or equivalent certification (strongly preferred) 

Hands-on experience in hyperscale or mission-critical data centre projects 

Familiarity with Uptime Institute certification processes (ATD, ATS, CAP, ICCA) 

Experience with global project delivery across multiple geographies/time zones 

Knowledge of UAE regulatory landscape and authority approval processes (DEWA, ADDC, Civil Defence) 

Experience with BIM workflows and coordination (Revit, Navisworks, or equivalent) 

 

Good to Have  

Experience with integrated project delivery (IPD) or collaborative design methodologies

What we can offer you

• Investment in your development

• Leaders you can count on, guided by our Leadership Principles

• Be valued for the unique person you are.

• Never be short of inspiration from colleagues, clients, and projects.

• The long-term thinking of a foundation-owned company

We offer:

• A challenging and interesting workday characterized by continuous learning, in an environment where you have many to spar with and learn from.

• Opportunity to work with varied work tasks, across the organization.

• Opportunity to develop and influence your own area of responsibility.

Work at the heart of sustainable change

Ramboll is a global architecture, engineering, and consultancy company. We believe that the purpose of sustainable change is to create a thriving world for both nature and people. So, that’s where we start – and how we work. At Ramboll, our core strength is our people, and our history is rooted in a clear vision of how a responsible company should act. Being open and curious is a cornerstone of our culture. We embrace an inclusive mindset that looks for fresh, diverse, and innovative perspectives. We respect, embrace, and invite diversity in all forms to actively cultivate an environment where everyone can flourish and realize their full potential.

Ready to join us?

Are you our new Lead Piping Engineer? If yes, click the apply button and send your application as soon as possible.

Please submit your application. Be sure to include all relevant documents including your CV, cover letter, etc.

Thank you for taking the time to apply! We look forward to receiving your application.