Market Development Engineering Lead - Data centers

Job Description

The Market Development Engineering Lead is responsible for supporting the early-stage development of data center projects by delivering comprehensive technical due diligence, site feasibility assessments, and concept engineering solutions. This role focuses on evaluating new market opportunities from an engineering perspective, including power and utility availability, site constraints, constructability, and infrastructure readiness. It plays a critical role in bridging site acquisition and detailed design. Defining initial engineering strategies, identifying risks, and recommending practical mitigation measures.

The role involves close coordination with multi-disciplinary teams — including real estate, electrical, mechanical, civil, and project delivery — as well as external stakeholders such as utilities, consultants, and authorities, to ensure all selected sites are development-ready and compliant with local regulatory requirements. This position must be based in Singapore with 30-40% regional APAC travel, and occasional travel across the globe.

Role and Responsibilities

1. Site Identification & Technical Due Diligence

• Lead technical evaluation of potential data center sites across APAC, including site visits and feasibility assessments.

• Assess land suitability, accessibility, infrastructure availability, and development constraints.

• Identify key risks related to environmental conditions, permitting, zoning, and constructability.

• Review and validate due diligence studies (power, water, geotechnical, environmental).

• Provide clear recommendations on site viability and development strategy.

1. Early-Stage Engineering & Concept Development

• Develop test fits, conceptual layouts, and high-level engineering solutions for new developments.

• Define initial technical configurations, including capacity planning, scalability, and redundancy strategies.

• Support development of preliminary design standards aligned with hyperscale and colocation requirements.

• Ensure engineering solutions are optimized for constructability, efficiency, and future expansion.

1. Power & Utility Engagement

• Support and lead engagement with utilities and service providers to assess and secure power capacity.

• Evaluate grid connection strategies (HV/MV), timelines, risks, and cost implications.

• Assess availability and feasibility of water, cooling solutions, and alternative heat rejection strategies.

• Support development of resilient and sustainable infrastructure approaches.

1. Development Planning & Project Structuring

• Prepare high-level development plans outlining key milestones from site acquisition through to operation.

• Develop preliminary project schedules, CAPEX estimates, and development budgets.

• Identify key technical and delivery risks and propose mitigation strategies.

• Support transition from development phase to design and construction teams.

1. Market & Commercial Alignment

• Translate customer requirements (hyperscalers, enterprise clients) into actionable technical and development strategies.

• Support capacity planning, density considerations, and scalability aligned with market demand.

• Collaborate with commercial and real estate teams to ensure site selection aligns with business strategy.

• Provide technical input to support investment decisions and project prioritization.

1. Stakeholder & Authority Engagement

• Engage with local authorities, regulatory bodies, and government agencies to support permitting and approvals.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders including Real Estate, Design Engineering, Finance, and Commercial teams.

• Coordinate with external consultants, contractors, and partners during early-stage development.

• Support resolution of technical and regulatory challenges across multiple jurisdictions.

1. Risk Management & Reporting

• Identify, assess, and track development risks across technical, regulatory, and commercial domains.

• Prepare and present clear, structured reports for senior management, including:

• Site feasibility assessments

• Risk and mitigation strategies

• Development roadmaps and timelines

• Communicate complex technical concepts effectively to non-technical stakeholders.

1. Continuous Improvement & Industry Awareness

• Stay current with industry trends, including hyperscale requirements, AI-driven infrastructure, and advanced cooling technologies.

• Contribute to the development of internal standards, tools, and best practices for site development.

• Drive improvements in development processes, efficiency, and quality of deliverables.

1. Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Civil Engineering, or related discipline

• Minimum 5–8 years of experience in:

• Mission-critical infrastructure

• Large-scale industrial or infrastructure projects

• 2+ years in Data center development

• Strong understanding of:

• Electrical systems (HV/MV, substations, grid connectivity)

• Mechanical systems (cooling, heat rejection, water systems)

• Data center design principles (resilience, redundancy, scalability)

• Experience in early-stage development, feasibility, and site due diligence 

• Exposure to APAC markets (Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia) and multi-country project environments 

Overall Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and critical thinking capability

• Ability to integrate technical, commercial, and strategic considerations

• Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills

• Strong communication and presentation skills (technical and executive level)

• High adaptability in fast-paced, ambiguous environments

• Self-driven, resourceful, and solutions-oriented mindset