Head of Engineering (Data Centre)

About the job

Number of Openings: 1

Company Name: Confidential

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Employment Type: Full-time, Hybrid (flex-time offered)

Compensation: Annual salary in JPY(commensurate with experience)

Overview

A global data center operator is seeking a seasoned VP/Director level leader to head engineering and design functions in Japan. The role drives program-wide strategy and execution across multiple campuses, ensuring alignment with global standards and regional delivery excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead end-to-end engineering and design execution for multiple data center sites, ensuring consistency with corporate strategy, quality, and sustainability targets.
• Adapt and harmonize global design standards for the Japan market, bridging local operations to broader technology practice.
• Manage the full engineering lifecycle: planning, procurement, budgeting, risk mitigation, scheduling, and reporting.
• Lead and mentor project managers and technical teams to deliver projects on-time and on-budget.
• Integrate cross-functional teams including construction, operations, procurement, finance, and design consultants.
• Monitor performance through KPIs, critical-path scheduling, proactive risk identification, and regular stakeholder reporting.
• Build and manage relationships with consultants, hyperscaler partners, and regulatory bodies familiar with APAC/Japan context.
• Drive team development, performance reviews, and define long-term hiring roadmap to scale engineering capability.
• Conduct regular business reviews—daily to annual—to ensure operational alignment and forecast delivery needs.

Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in Engineering, Architecture, or related disciplines.
• Japanese and English fluency is mandatory.
• 10+ years in senior leadership roles within data center engineering/design or mission-critical programs.
• Proven track record managing multiple project managers across multi-site design-build programs.
• Deep knowledge of Japan’s data center market, including MEP consultancy, hyperscaler specifications, design standards (e.g. Uptime Institute, TIA-942), and cost/schedule dynamics.
• Familiarity with large-scale repeatable design, engineering-driven procurement, and capital program delivery best practices.
• Excellent negotiation, stakeholder management, communication and cross-functional leadership abilities.
• Strategic orientation with strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Experience developing operations-focused documentation, standards, SOPs and performance metrics.
• Desirable: Advanced engineering qualification (e.g. PE license) or Master’s in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering.
• Prior experience operating within hyperscaler or global colocation environments in APAC/Japan.
• Track record managing capital budgets, OPEX, CAPEX, and energy-efficiency/ESG initiatives.
• Familiarity with vendor and consultant RFP processes, design document reviews, and commissioning workflows.
• Ability to develop local network within Japanese design and construction ecosystem.

Additional Information:

Based in Tokyo CBD (directly connected to Tokyo Station).

Hybrid working policy with flexibility and flex-time available.

Compensation commensurate with experience and scope.