Engineering & Design Director (Data Centres)

Location: Madrid, Spain Sector: Data Centres / Critical Infrastructure Type: Permanent, Full Time

The Opportunity

We are partnering with a leading data centre developer on a confidential search for an Engineering & Design Director to lead the design and delivery of a growing portfolio of hyperscale and colocation facilities across Europe, based out of Madrid.

This is a rare opportunity to take genuine ownership of the engineering and design function, shaping projects from the very first land assessment through to commissioning and client handover. You will sit at the heart of the development lifecycle, working hand in hand with commercial, finance, and construction leadership to bring large scale critical infrastructure to life.

If you are a senior engineering leader who has both designed and delivered data centres at scale, and you want a role where your decisions shape the outcome of every project, this is one to consider.

The Role

Reporting into senior leadership, you will lead all key design and engineering phases of the project lifecycle, including:

• Site selection: assessing and selecting land plots, with power access already secured, to identify the optimal locations for new facilities.


• Design leadership: owning the data centre design and ensuring it is fully aligned with the commercial strategy.


• Budget management: defining and tracking project budgets in close partnership with the finance and construction teams.


• Programme management: preparing and monitoring the project development calendar, including key milestones and delivery timelines.


• Supplier management: selecting, appointing, and managing suppliers across the full project lifecycle.


• Design handover: transferring the completed design package to the Construction Director.


• Construction support: coordinating closely with the Construction Director throughout the build phase.


• Delivery oversight: overseeing suppliers throughout development and delivery to protect quality, cost, and programme.


• Commissioning: leading data centre commissioning and managing handover to the client(s).

What We Are Looking For

• A proven track record of successfully designing and delivering both hyperscale and colocation data centres.


• The ability to lead across all phases of the project lifecycle, from land assessment through to commissioning and handover.


• Strong engineering foundations (electrical, mechanical, or building services), ideally degree qualified or equivalent.


• Demonstrable experience owning project budgets, programmes, and delivery milestones on large scale builds.


• Confidence managing and holding accountable a wide ecosystem of suppliers and consultants.


• The commercial awareness to align technical design decisions with business and commercial strategy.


• Excellent stakeholder management, with the credibility to influence finance, construction, and executive teams.


• Experience delivering across European markets; Iberian market knowledge is an advantage.


• Fluent English is essential. Spanish is highly desirable given the Madrid base.

What Is On Offer

• A senior leadership mandate with real autonomy over the engineering and design function.


• A pipeline of large scale, high profile hyperscale and colocation projects across Europe.


• A competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with the seniority of the role.


• The chance to build and shape a function at a developer with serious growth ambitions.

How to Apply

This is a confidential search. To register your interest or learn more about the opportunity, please apply with an up to date CV and we will be in touch to discuss in confidence. All applications will be handled discreetly.