Job Description
About Vantage Data CentersVantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world’s well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.Job DescriptionPosition OverviewThe Vice President, Mission Critical Engineering – EMEA is the senior technical authority responsible for engineering design integrity, performance assurance, and technical design platform compliance across the EMEA data centre portfolio.Reporting to the CTO EMEA, this role leads Mission Critical Engineering (MCE) as the function accountable for defining, leading, validating, and protecting engineering intent across all projects and product deployments. The role ensures that all engineering solutions are technically correct, regulatorily defensible, aligned with platform standards, and capable of delivering the required levels of reliability, scalability, and performance.This role governs what is built and why, ensuring that engineering decisions are robust, consistent, and aligned to both global product direction and regional constraints.
It operates in clear partnership with Design Quality, Commissioning and Management, which govern how the design is delivered, and with Delivery and Operations, which execute and operate the assets.The Vice President is responsible for ensuring that engineering design remains a controlled, disciplined, and value-adding function — preventing performance erosion, unmanaged deviation, and inconsistency across the EMEA portfolio.Role PurposeThe purpose of this role is to act as the technical guardian of engineering intent across EMEA by:Defining and governing mission-critical engineering standards and technical directionOwning the engineering philosophy, system topology, and performance envelope across all developmentsEnsuring all project designs delivered through VDC Design Partners are technically sound, permit-compliant, and aligned with product platform standardsLeading engineering assurance through concept, design, and pre-construction phasesEstablishing and enforcing formal design freeze and performance control mechanismsPreventing degradation of engineering integrity through uncontrolled change or delivery pressuresEmbedding engineering consistency, repeatability, and platform discipline across all marketsSupporting delivery and operations through structured technical authority at key intervention pointsLeading Centre of Excellence Teams responsible for driving technical OFCI EMEA product updates and improving on BCO and TCO targetsDriving Value Engineering delivery, and operations through structured technical authority at key intervention pointsKey ResponsibilitiesEngineering Strategy and Technical LeadershipDefine and lead the mission-critical engineering strategy for EMEA, aligned with the CTO EMEA and global product directionEstablish engineering as a strategic control point for performance, reliability, scalability, and product consistencyTranslate global product frameworks into executable regional engineering standards, reflecting local regulatory, environmental, and power constraintsEnsure engineering decisions support long-term asset performance, customer requirements, and commercial outcomesAct as the senior engineering authority within EMEA leadership discussions and strategic decision-makingTechnical Authority and Engineering GovernanceServe as the final technical authority for mission-critical engineering across EMEAEstablish and enforce clear technical governance, decision rights, and escalation pathwaysEnsure all engineering decisions are made with appropriate rigour, cross-functional input, and documented justificationLead engineering assurance across all major design decisions, including topology selection, redundancy philosophy, and system integrationGovern deviations, ensuring any departure from standards is controlled, justified, and approved at the appropriate levelMaintain discipline in engineering reviews, approvals, and technical sign-off processesDesign Intent, Performance Integrity, and AssuranceOwn the engineering philosophy, system architecture, and performance criteria for all developmentsDefine and validate:Electrical and mechanical topologyRedundancy strategyProtection philosophyCooling architectureAvailability modelEnsure all engineering designs are supported by robust modelling and analysis, including:Short circuit and fault level studiesHarmonic analysisAvailability modellingThermal and CFD modellingEnsure designs are regulatorily defensible and aligned with planning, environmental, and permitting requirementsLead identification and mitigation of technical risks from early-stage development through design completionChallenge consultants and internal teams to ensure technical robustness and alignment with standardsDesign Freeze and Change Control DisciplineOwn and enforce formal design intent freeze, ensuring that:Basis of Design is clearly defined and approvedPerformance criteria are lockedInterfaces and system boundaries are understoodKey vendor selections are technically validatedEnsure that post-freeze changes are tightly controlled and assessed for impact on performance, compliance, and riskPrevent erosion of engineering integrity through uncontrolled value engineering or late-stage design changesDefine escalation pathways for performance-impacting decisionsProduct Platform and StandardisationProtect and enforce engineering alignment with the EMEA product platform and global product strategyEnsure engineering supports modular, repeatable, and scalable data centre solutionsDrive standardisation across systems, components, and design approaches to improve consistency and delivery efficiencyManage the balance between standardisation and necessary regional adaptationEnsure engineering decisions support product integrity, cost efficiency, and delivery repeatabilityIntegration with Delivery, Procurement, and DfMAEnsure engineering is fully aligned with how projects are procured, packaged, and deliveredProvide technical authority over key engineering decisions impacting:DfMA and prefabrication strategiesEquipment selection and integrationConstructability and sequencingSupport validation of vendor technical solutions and ensure alignment with performance requirementsEnsure engineering decisions do not compromise delivery efficiency, programme certainty, or buildabilityAct as the escalation point for performance-impacting issues arising during procurement or constructionConstruction and Commissioning Technical AuthorityProvide targeted technical oversight during construction and commissioning phasesIntervene at key stages, including:Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT)System integration milestonesCommissioning readinessMajor technical variationsEnsure that delivered systems remain aligned with original engineering intent and performance expectationsApprove or reject performance-impacting changes arising during constructionDC Campus Energy, Power, and Infrastructure Strategy SupportProvide engineering leadership into DC power and energy strategy across EMEAEnsure engineering solutions align with grid constraints, utility strategies, and power availability realitiesSupport engineering input into site selection, capacity planning, and resilience strategyEnsure designs are aligned with evolving power density requirements, including high-density and AI-driven loadsContribute to development of energy-aware engineering solutions that balance performance, resilience, and efficiencyRisk, Compliance, and ReliabilityOwn engineering-related risk identification, mitigation, and control across the portfolioEnsure compliance with all relevant engineering codes, standards, and regulatory requirementsMaintain control over technical risks associated with design decisions, system integration, and performance outcomesEnsure lessons learned from incidents, operational performance, and project delivery are embedded into standards and future designsPrevent systemic risks arising from design inconsistency or uncontrolled changeStakeholder EngagementAct as the senior engineering interface with internal and external stakeholdersProvide CTO approved technical support to:Customer Solutions EngineeringSalesDevelopmentProductDesign ManagementProcurementEnergyDeliveryOperationsSupport customer engagement, technical reviews, and strategic discussions where engineering credibility is requiredEnsure alignment between engineering decisions and broader business objectivesPeople Leadership and Capability DevelopmentLead and develop a high-performing, multidisciplinary engineering organisation across EMEABuild strong technical capability across mechanical, electrical, fire, ICT, and security engineering disciplinesEstablish clear roles, responsibilities, and accountability within the MCE functionDevelop succession planning and leadership capability within the engineering teamFoster a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and disciplined decision-makingRequired Experience and QualificationsExtensive senior leadership experience in mission-critical engineering, data centres, or comparable critical infrastructure environments (nominal 10+ years)Proven experience acting as technical authority across multidisciplinary engineering systemsDeep expertise in electrical and mechanical systems, with strong understanding of fire, ICT, and security engineeringDemonstrated experience in engineering governance, design assurance, and performance validationExperience working across multiple countries and regulatory environments within EMEAStrong understanding of engineering modelling, system integration, and performance validation methodologiesExperience supporting large-scale capital projects and complex infrastructure deliveryAbility to operate effectively within a matrix organisation and influence across functionsStrong commercial awareness and ability to balance technical integrity with business objectivesDegree-qualified in either Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or a related field; chartered status essential.Leadership ExpectationsThe successful candidate will demonstrate:Clear and decisive technical judgementStrong ownership of engineering outcomes and accountabilityAbility to operate at both strategic and detailed technical levelsA disciplined, structured approach to decision-making and governanceThe ability to challenge constructively and maintain engineering integrity under pressureStrong collaboration across engineering, product, delivery, and operationsMeasures of SuccessSuccess in this role will be demonstrated through:Consistent, high-quality engineering standards across all EMEA projectsStrong control of design integrity and reduction of late-stage engineering issuesEffective design freeze and change control disciplineImproved alignment between engineering, product, and deliveryReduced technical risk and increased reliability across the portfolioImproved repeatability and scalability of engineering solutionsStrong leadership capability and development within the engineering teamAdditional Job DescriptionThis role is a key member of the EMEA CTO leadership team and plays a central role in shaping the engineering foundation of the organisation’s product platform, delivery model, and long-term infrastructure strategy.Vantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers.#LI-AF1We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other’s strengths and respecting each other’s weaknesses.
We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community.Don't meet all the requirements?
Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values.Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity EmployerVantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers.n#J-18808-Ljbffr
…