Technical Program Manager - Data Center MEP Design

Job Description

Location: Harquahala, AZ (TPM should be based locally), hybrid onsite structure

The Technical Program Manager, Engineering will oversee the end-to-end delivery of data center projects, including design review, construction, commissioning, and operational handover. This role ensures that all 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, IT infrastructure, security and operations — to deliver hyperscale, colocation, and enterprise data centers.

This role is ideal for candidates with strong mechanical and electrical expertise, hands-on experience in hyperscale and Tier III+ data centers, and proven project management leadership. The ideal candidate will ensure safe, compliant, and timely delivery of high-availability data center infrastructure, bridging design, construction, and operations. While this position requires someone local to Harquahala, AZ and onsite in a hybrid capacity, there could be some additional travel (10-20%) for team/company meetings, as well as conference attendance domestically.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

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.
• Ensure contractor compliance with contractual milestones, performance guarantees, and LD provisions.
• Support procurement strategy including evaluation of EPC / D&B / CM delivery models.

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.
• 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.

Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Monitor CAPEX budgets, cost forecasts, and financial controls.
• Maintain portfolio-level reporting including project dashboards, schedule health metrics, and risk registers aligned with corporate PMO standards.
• Develop capital funding requests, maintain cost forecasts, and coordinate with corporate finance and PMO on capital authorization and variance reporting.
• Track procurement schedules and mitigate supply chain risks.
• Review progress payment certifications and contractor claims.
• Participate in tender evaluations and contract award recommendations.
• 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.

Compliance, Quality & Safety

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

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.

Education & Certifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Building Services Engineering.
• Master’s Degree in Business Administration, engineering leadership, or similar, preferred.
• Preferred: PMP, CDCP, ATD (Accredited Tier Designer)

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years in data center 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+).
• Working-level of knowledge of critical data center systems design and operation including HVAC (chillers, CRAH/CRAC, liquid cooling systems, etc.), Electrical (LV/MV distribution, UPS systems, generators, etc.), Fire Suppression systems (Pumps/Motors, pre-action, sprinklers, etc.), and BMS/SCADA software.
• 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.

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 centers
• 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.