Data Centre Design Manager

The Opportunity

This is a senior leadership role focused on design management and governance, rather than discipline-specific design. You will operate at the centre of project delivery—coordinating across MEP disciplines, architects, specialist consultants and client teams from concept through to commissioning and handover.

Working in close partnership with Project Managers, Project Directors and technical leaders, you will establish the design vision, manage critical interfaces and ensure that design delivery meets technical, commercial, program and sustainability objectives.

What you wil do

• Lead design governance across complex, multidisciplinary data centre programs, ensuring alignment to client outcomes and project objectives.
• Establish and drive design management frameworks—including design management plans, schedules and interface strategies.
• Facilitate structured design reviews, coordination forums and risk workshops to enable informed decision-making and issue resolution.
• Lead client engagement and optioneering, translating requirements into integrated, value-driven and future-ready design solutions.
• Act as the central point of accountability for design coordination across internal teams, consultants and stakeholders.
• Manage design change, risks and opportunities, ensuring clear governance, documentation and traceability.
• Partner with project leadership to align design delivery with program, procurement, cost and construction milestones.
• Oversee technical assurance and quality processes, ensuring discipline leads deliver to agreed standards and outcomes.
• Review and guide design deliverables at key gateways, providing clear, actionable direction.
• Champion and embed consistent design standards and governance frameworks across projects and portfolios.

What you will bring

• Degree qualification in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Building Services or similar), or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience within an engineering consultancy or integrated project environment, leading design delivery on large, complex projects.
• Demonstrated success in multidisciplinary design management, ideally within data centres or other mission-critical environments.
• Strong capability across design governance and project controls—including execution planning, scheduling, risk and change management, and commercial oversight of subconsultants.
• The ability to influence, align and lead diverse stakeholders, including clients, contractors and specialist partners.
• Clear and structured communication skills, with confidence to facilitate, present and drive decisions at senior levels.
• Working knowledge of Australian codes and standards (NCC, AS/NZS), with exposure to BIM coordination tools (Revit, Navisworks) advantageous.

Our Data Centres Capability

WSP’s Building Services team delivers end-to-end solutions for mission-critical facilities, from early advisory and masterplanning through detailed design, construction and commissioning.

Our expertise spans:

• Power and cooling strategies
• Mechanical and electrical systems
• Fire and life safety
• ICT, security and controls
• BIM and digital coordination
• Sustainable and energy-efficient design

We bring together deep technical expertise with strong design management to deliver integrated, resilient and future-ready infrastructure.

Across Australia, our teams are delivering hyperscale and enterprise data centres that support the nation’s digital growth. We work closely with clients to de-risk delivery, optimise performance and accelerate program outcomes, embedding continuous improvement and commissioning insights into every stage.

At WSP, you’ll be part of a global team of over 80,000 professionals, united by a shared purpose: to make a positive, lasting impact.

We offer a flexible, inclusive environment where you can grow your career while shaping projects that matter. Our Employee Share Purchase Plan enables you to share in our success, alongside a range of benefits that support your health, wellbeing and work-life balance.

With us, you can.Apply today.