WSP

Plans and designs infrastructure projects

Associate Director - Mission Critical & Data Centres, Electrical

Building Services EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeDubai - United Arab EmiratesNo salary listedIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Building Services Engineering.
At least 15 years of progressive experience planning, designing, and delivering large-scale data centers, including multiple Uptime Tier III/IV projects.
Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and coordinate stakeholders in complex, matrixed environments.
In-depth knowledge of medium- and low-voltage power distribution, uninterruptible power supply systems, emergency generators, computer room air conditioning units, economizers, chilled-water systems, variable-frequency drives, fire detection and suppression, building management systems, and data center infrastructure management platforms.
Strong understanding of current data center system trends and technologies, including liquid cooling.
Familiarity with local and international codes and standards, including the National Electrical Code, International Electrotechnical Commission standards, ISO 50001, ISO 27001, PDPL, and ESMA.
Expert-level knowledge in civil, structural, and architectural disciplines, as well as mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, with a record of delivering complex, mission-critical infrastructure.

Responsibilities

Serve as the single technical point of contact for assigned data center projects, leading client discussions and negotiating technical scopes.
Lead and approve concept, schematic, and detailed designs across electrical and mechanical disciplines, including uninterruptible power supplies, generators, switchgear, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, cooling, public health systems, building management systems, fire protection, and fire and life safety.
Develop and standardize scalable, repeatable data center solutions to improve consistency and efficiency across the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
Conduct site assessments, capacity planning, and feasibility studies aligned with Uptime Institute Tier requirements.
Ensure compliance with international standards, including Uptime Institute, TIA-942, NFPA, and ASHRAE, and with local regulations.
Mentor and coach engineering teams, drive knowledge transfer, and capture lessons learned for continuous improvement.
Collaborate with the supervision team and other stakeholders to control costs, manage vendors, and mitigate technical risks.
Contribute to technical proposals and client presentations, and identify opportunities for service enhancements to support business growth.
Lead engineering standards and cross-regional collaboration to promote consistency, innovation, and technical excellence in data center design methodologies and delivery practices.
Act as a senior liaison among internal engineering teams, regional centers of excellence, external consultants, construction leads, and key stakeholders to align technical vision and support execution.
Direct all phases of engineering and design, including site feasibility analysis, conceptual development, basis-of-design formulation, scope definition, and construction documentation, ensuring alignment with business objectives and performance targets.
Act as the technical authority across engineering initiatives and be accountable for team outcomes relating to design integrity, budget adherence, schedule management, and stakeholder coordination.
Engage with the global data center engineering community to identify emerging technologies, evolving standards, and best practices for continuous improvement.
Use modeling and simulation platforms such as ETAP, 6Sigma CFD, and AmpCalc to validate design decisions and optimize system performance.

Desired Qualifications

Professional certifications such as Uptime Tier Certified Professional, Project Management Professional, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional, or BICSI Registered Communications Distribution Designer.
Experience with fast-track design/build projects and/or multiple significant upgrade projects for large-scale technical operations or large-scale compute farms.

WSP in the Middle East is seeking an experienced Associate Director – Mission Critical & Data Centres (Electrical), based in Dubai, UAE, supporting the continued growth of our Building Services Data Centre discipline.

You will be responsible for the end-to-end design, delivery, and technical leadership of mission-critical data centre facilities. You will act as the single technical authority, interfacing directly with clients, vendors, and internal teams to ensure projects meet performance, reliability, and compliance targets from design inception through to delivery.

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Building Services Engineering.

15+ 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.

Strong understanding of latest Data Centre system trends and technologies such as liquid-cooling are highly desirable

Preferred experience with fast track design/build projects and or multiple significant upgrade project for large-scale technical operations or large-scale compute farms

Familiarity with local and international codes and standards, including NEC, IEC, ISO 50001, ISO 27001, PDPL, and ESMA.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

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With us, you can. Apply today.

Serve as the single point of contact for all technical aspects of assigned data center projects, leading client discussions and negotiating technical scopes.

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.

Develop and standardize scalable, repeatable data center solutions to drive consistency and efficiencies across UAE and KSA.

Conduct site assessments, capacity planning, and feasibility studies aligned with Uptime Institute Tier requirements.

Ensure compliance with international standards (Uptime Institute, TIA-942, NFPA, ASHRAE) and local regulations.

Mentor and coach engineering teams, drive knowledge transfer, and capture lessons learned for continuous improvement.

Collaborate with the supervision team and other stakeholders to control costs, manage vendors, and mitigate technical risks.

Drive business growth by contributing to technical proposals, client presentations, and by identifying opportunities for service enhancements

Champion Engineering Standards Lead cross-regional collaboration to ensure consistency, innovation, and technical excellence in design methodologies and delivery practices across all data center projects.

Cultivate Strategic Technical Partnerships Serve as a senior liaison among internal engineering teams, regional centers of excellence, external consultants, construction leads, and key stakeholders to align technical vision and drive successful execution.

Oversee End-to-End Engineering Lifecycle Direct all phases of engineering and design, including site feasibility analysis, conceptual development, basis of design formulation, scope definition, and construction documentation—ensuring alignment with business objectives and performance targets.

Provide Visionary Project Leadership Act as the technical authority across engineering initiatives, accountable for team outcomes related to design integrity, budget adherence, schedule management, and stakeholder coordination.

Stay Ahead of Industry Evolution Maintain active engagement with the global data center engineering community to identify emerging technologies, evolving standards, and best practices that can be leveraged for continuous improvement.

Demonstrate Mastery in CSA & MEP Disciplines Bring expert-level knowledge in civil, structural, architectural (CSA) and mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP) systems, with a proven track record of delivering complex, mission-critical infrastructure.

Apply Advanced Engineering Analysis Tools Utilize sophisticated modeling and simulation platforms such as ETAP, 6Sigma CFD, AmpCalc, and other analytical tools to validate design decisions and optimize system performance.

About the Company

WSP

Plans and designs infrastructure projects

WSP is an engineering and science consultancy that helps governments and businesses plan, design, and manage infrastructure. Its teams work on transport networks, buildings, water systems, power facilities, and environmental projects, combining engineers with scientists, planners, and technical advisers. Services include feasibility studies, detailed design, environmental assessments, and project management, with specialists supporting assets through construction and operation. Clients pay through contracts priced by staff time, agreed project fees, or a share of project costs. Genivar reorganized as WSP Global in 2014, and the group is headquartered in Montreal, Quebec.

Company size: 10,001+
Company stage: IPO
Headquarters: Montreal, Canada
Founded: 1959

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