Technical Program (Data Center Design) Program Manager, APAC (Johor)

Job Summary

The Technical (Data Centre Design) Program Manager will oversee the end-to-end delivery of data centre projects, including design review, construction, commissioning, and operational handover. This role ensures that all MEP engineering, construction, and operational requirements are met on time, within budget, and according to quality and compliance standards.

The position involves close coordination with multi-disciplinary teams — mechanical electrical, plumbing (MEP), civil, electrical, IT infrastructure, security and operations — to deliver hyperscale, colocation, and enterprise data centres.

This role is ideal for candidates with strong mechanical and electrical expertise, hands-on experience in hyperscale and Tier III+ data centres, and proven project management leadership.  This position is based in Johor as a hybrid onsite structure is needed, and will require at least 30% travel to the other site (Cyberjaya) and other regional travel when key meetings or coverage is needed.

 Key Roles & Responsibilities

1. Project Management & Execution

• Lead full project lifecycle: planning, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, energization, and handover.
  Develop, monitor, and maintain master project schedules, budgets, and resource plans.
  • Establish project governance framework, reporting cadence, and executive dashboards.
  • Identify project risks, maintain risk registers, implement mitigation strategies, and escalate critical issues.
  • Manage contract administration, variation orders (VO), claims assessment, and commercial negotiations.
  • Ensure contractor compliance with contractual milestones, performance guarantees, and LD provisions.
  • Support procurement strategy including evaluation of EPC / D&B / CM delivery models.
  • Manage long-lead equipment procurement (transformers, generators, UPS, chillers) including FAT oversight.
  • Prepare and present progress reports, KPIs, cost forecasts, and milestone updates to senior management and stakeholders.

       2. Engineering & Technical Oversight

• Review, approve, and coordinate technical designs: electrical, mechanical, HVAC, fire protection, security, and IT infrastructure.
  Validate system redundancy (N+1, N+2, 2N, 2N+1) and operational reliability requirements.
  • Ensure compliance with local regulations, utility requirements, and international standards (Uptime Tier III/IV, NFPA, IEC, TIA, ISO).
  • Coordinate with utility providers (e.g., TNB or regional utilities) for grid interconnection, energization, and regulatory approvals.
  • Oversee HV/MV infrastructure delivery, protection coordination, and energization strategy.
  • Supervise Testing & Commissioning (Level 1–5) including IST, FMEA validation, black building tests, and reliability verification.
  • Review power system studies (short circuit, load flow, arc flash) and reliability analysis.
  • Oversee vendor, contractor, and consultant performance to meet technical specifications and project objectives.

         3. Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Monitor CAPEX budgets, cost forecasts, and financial controls.
  Track procurement schedules and mitigate supply chain risks.
  • Review progress payment certifications and contractor claims.
  • Ensure performance bond, insurance (CAR/EAR), and risk transfer compliance.
  • Participate in tender evaluations and contract award recommendations.

       4.Team Leadership & stakeholder management

• Lead multi-disciplinary project teams, contractors, consultants, and internal engineers.
  Act as primary interface between clients, suppliers, utility authorities, and internal teams.
  • Mentor junior engineers and project staff, fostering knowledge transfer and operational excellence.
  • Ensure seamless communication and coordination across all stakeholders.
  • Support Director of Engineering in strategic planning and executive reporting.

         5. Compliance, quality & safety

• Enforce adherence to engineering standards, corporate governance, and safety regulations.
  Conduct QA/QC inspections to validate system installation and workmanship.
  • Support environmental, health, and safety (EHS) initiatives.
  • Ensure environmental permits and statutory compliance are maintained throughout project lifecycle.

      6.Operation and Handover

• Facilitate smooth transition to operations including as-built documentation, SOPs, MOPs, EOPs, and asset registers.
  Ensure operational readiness, maintainability, and uptime SLA compliance.
  • Support training of O&M teams and post-handover stabilization.
  • Validate performance metrics including PUE, WUE, and system reliability KPIs.

Job Functions & Competencies

Function Area

Key Activities / Competencies

Project Planning & Execution

Develop master schedules, manage scope, budget, and milestones.

Construction & Commissioning Management

Supervise contractors, ensure commissioning success, validate systems.

Technical Design Review

Approve electrical mechanical plumbing sanitary,  HVAC, fire, security and IT infrastructure designs.

Cost & Budget Management

Track budget, forecast cost variances, implement financial controls.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

Enforce standards, safety, and regulatory compliance.

Team Leadership & Coordination

Lead multi-disciplinary teams, mentor staff, manage stakeholders.

Risk Assessment & Mitigation

Identify project risks, create mitigation plans, escalate when needed.

Operational Readiness

Prepare documentation, SOPs, MOPs, and handover to O&M teams.

Key Requirements

Education & Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Building Services Engineering.
• Preferred: CDCP, PMP, ATD (Accredited Tier Designer)

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years in data centre construction, commissioning, or hyperscale infrastructure projects.
• Experience with 275kV grid intake and campus-scale developments preferred.
• Proven delivery of large-scale Tier III+ or hyperscale DCs (50 MW+) in South East Asia.
• Hands-on experience with critical systems: chillers, CRAH/CRAC, UPS, generators, LV/MV electrical distribution, BMS/SCADA, fire protection systems.
• Experience managing EPC / D&B contractors and complex stakeholder environments.

Technical Skills:

• Knowledge of electrical, mechanical, sanitary, plumbing, HVAC systems, IT infrastructure, security system
• Familiarity with Uptime, TIA, NFPA, IEC, ISO standards.
• Experience in project management tools: Primavera P6, MS Project, or equivalent.

Soft Skills & Leadership:

• Excellent leadership, team coordination, and stakeholder management.
• Effective communication, negotiation, and problem-solving under tight deadlines.
• Strong decision-making under tight deadlines and high-pressure environments.
• Fluent in English; native language preferred.

 Key Competencies

• Candidate should take full ownership of projects and provide hands-on technical and managerial leadership.
• Must be capable of delivering hyperscale, Tier III+, and colocation data centres
• Strong focus on mechanical & electrical engineering systems, commissioning, operational readiness, and uptime SLA compliance.
• Capable of managing large campus-scale developments and phased expansions.
• Ability to bridge engineering, commercial, and operational disciplines.

Overall:
This role requires a versatile engineering leader with strong technical depth, project management skills, and operational awareness. The ideal candidate will ensure safe, compliant, and timely delivery of high-availability data centre infrastructure, bridging design, construction, and operations.