Design Manager

About the role

The Design Manager will lead and oversee the end-to-end design process for data center projects across the APAC region, ensuring compliance with TERA global design standards, applicable local statutory codes and regulations, and project-specific requirements. The role requires effective coordination among internal teams, consultants, Engineers of Record (EORs), contractors, vendors and other project stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert guidance and in-depth technical knowledge across key systems, including power, cooling, network infrastructure and structural systems, to support reliable designs.
• Lead cross-functional subject matter experts across electrical, mechanical, civil and architectural disciplines to drive outcomes, accountability, collaboration and technical excellence.
• Take full responsibility for design accuracy, compliance and delivery.
• Ensure designs align with TERA global standards and local statutory regulations.
• Address pre- and post-construction permits and statutory approvals applicable to each jurisdiction.
• Manage design submittals during construction in coordination with project managers, architects, civil engineers, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers and other relevant disciplines to integrate data center designs into overall project master plans.
• Ensure proper document-control workflows and audit project deliverables for completeness, version control and compliance with established requirements and procedures.
• Ensure adherence to international and local building codes, zoning requirements and statutory approvals.
• Monitor designs for compliance with sustainability practices and industry-leading standards.
• Act as a key liaison between internal engineering teams, project management, clients, regulatory bodies and external design consultants, ensuring clear, consistent and timely communication regarding design progress, challenges and decisions.
• Facilitate regular meetings to address design issues, milestones and escalations as needed.
• Prepare, review and approve comprehensive design documentation, including technical specifications, equipment schedules, commissioning plans and progress reports, ensuring records are accurate, complete and systematically maintained.
• Collect feedback from construction and commissioning teams to support continuous improvement.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, such as Electrical, Mechanical, Civil or Structural Engineering, Architecture, or a related technical field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in data center design or critical infrastructure systems.
• Proven ability to manage multidisciplinary teams, including architects, engineers, contractors and regulatory agencies.
• Proven experience managing the design phases of complex, multidisciplinary projects from conceptualization through construction documentation and handover.
• Technical proficiency in data center infrastructure systems, including mechanical, electrical and structural systems.
• Familiarity with hyperscale data center design considerations and operational requirements.
• Strong leadership and project management capability.
• Excellent communication skills for stakeholder engagement across diverse cultural contexts.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines while maintaining high-quality outcomes.
• Familiarity with sustainability practices in data center design is an advantage.