Data Centre – Design Manager (m/f/d) MEP / Architectural Background

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Data Centre Design Manager (m/f/d) – MEP / Architectural Background

Company: AECOM

Location: Kaiserslautern, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Operations Management / Design & Engineering Operations

Date Posted: March 31, 2026

Experience Level: Senior (10+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Oversee and manage the end-to-end design process for data center projects within the German market, ensuring alignment with client expectations, timelines, and budget constraints.

• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary design teams, including MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) and Architectural disciplines, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.

• Drive the commercial and technical aspects of bid processes for multi-disciplinary opportunities, accurately pricing new projects to ensure profitability and alignment with sold fees.

• Ensure strict adherence to all internal AECOM governance policies and local regulatory requirements throughout the bid and project delivery phases.

• Function as a key interface between clients and internal teams, translating client needs into actionable design strategies and project plans.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Design Manager with a strong emphasis on project and commercial management within the specialized data center (DC) sector in Germany. The description highlights a need for managing complex, fast-paced projects and client relationships, suggesting a critical operations role in ensuring successful project delivery and business development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead multidisciplinary design management activities within a high-paced project environment specifically tailored to the German Data Centre (DC) market.

• Manage and integrate cross-regional teams comprising Civil, Structural, Architectural (CSA), and MEP specialists to ensure cohesive design outcomes.

• Provide expert assistance in both commercial and technical aspects of bidding for multi-disciplinary opportunities with key clients, ensuring accurate scope and pricing.

• Uphold and enforce compliance with all internal AECOM governance standards and relevant local German regulatory frameworks during the bid stage and throughout project execution.

• Identify and deploy the optimal level and capability of resources required for each project to ensure efficient and effective design delivery.

• Drive the accurate bidding and pricing of new opportunities, ensuring that projects are delivered within the initially sold fees and target margins, thereby demonstrating strong project management capabilities.

• Facilitate clear and consistent communication channels between clients, design teams, and other stakeholders to manage expectations and ensure project alignment.

• Proactively identify and mitigate potential design risks and challenges, developing contingency plans to ensure project continuity and success.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes and methodologies within the German DC sector team, incorporating best practices and lessons learned.

• Support the development and mentoring of junior design and project management staff within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities emphasize a dual focus on technical design oversight and commercial acumen. The role requires not only managing the design process but also actively participating in business development through accurate bidding and pricing, indicating a P&L responsibility for design delivery. The integration of cross-regional and multidisciplinary teams points to a complex matrix management requirement.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in design management, with a significant portion dedicated to the Data Centre (DC) sector.

• Proven track record of successfully managing complex, multidisciplinary design projects from conception through to completion.

• Experience in the German construction and engineering market, with a deep understanding of local practices and regulations.

Required Skills:

• Design Management: Expertise in leading and coordinating multidisciplinary design teams, ensuring design integrity and constructability.

• Project Management: Strong capabilities in planning, execution, monitoring, and controlling projects to meet scope, schedule, budget, and quality objectives.

• MEP Systems Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing systems critical to data center operations.

• Architectural Design Principles: Solid grasp of architectural design considerations, space planning, and building codes relevant to commercial and industrial facilities.

• German Language Proficiency: Fluent in German, both written and spoken, for effective communication with local clients, regulatory bodies, and project teams.

• English Language Proficiency: Excellent command of English, both written and spoken, for internal AECOM communications, global team collaboration, and technical documentation.

• Commercial Acumen: Ability to accurately bid, price, and manage project financials to ensure profitability and meet margin targets.

• Regulatory Governance: Thorough understanding of German building codes, data center specific regulations, and AECOM’s internal governance policies.

• Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills for effective stakeholder engagement.

• Workload & Deadline Management: Proven ability to manage a demanding workload, prioritize tasks effectively, and consistently meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with specific Data Centre design standards and best practices (e.g., Uptime Institute Tier Standards).

• Familiarity with common project management software and design collaboration platforms.

• Knowledge of sustainable design principles and energy efficiency strategies applicable to data centers.

• Experience in contract negotiation and management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on both German and English proficiency is crucial, indicating a role that bridges local operations with AECOM's international framework. The "10+" years of experience requirement points to a need for seasoned leadership and deep domain expertise, particularly within the specialized and demanding data center sector.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Project Case Studies: Showcase a minimum of 3-5 significant data center or complex infrastructure projects managed, detailing your specific role, responsibilities, and contributions. Highlight projects within the German market.

• Design Management Framework: Demonstrate your approach to managing multidisciplinary design teams, including methodologies for coordination, conflict resolution, and quality assurance.

• Commercial Management Examples: Include evidence of your involvement in bidding and pricing processes, demonstrating how you’ve ensured profitability and adherence to sold fees and margins.

• Risk Management Documentation: Provide examples of how you have identified, assessed, and mitigated design and project risks in previous roles.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Present examples of implemented design workflows that have improved efficiency, reduced lead times, or enhanced design quality in previous data center projects.

• Bid & Proposal Management Process: Outline your structured approach to developing technical and commercial proposals, ensuring accuracy, competitiveness, and alignment with client requirements.

• Regulatory Compliance Procedures: Detail your methods for ensuring adherence to local German building codes, standards, and AECOM’s internal governance throughout the design and delivery lifecycle.

• Resource Allocation & Management: Illustrate your process for determining and deploying the appropriate level and capability of resources for various project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior role like this, a portfolio demonstrating tangible results in design management, commercial success (profitability), and robust process adherence is critical. The focus should be on quantifiable achievements and well-defined methodologies that can be applied to AECOM's German data center projects.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Given the senior level, specialized industry (Data Centres), and location in Germany (Kaiserslautern), a competitive salary range is expected. Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Design Managers with 10+ years of experience in Germany, the estimated annual gross salary would likely fall between €85,000 and €115,000. This estimate considers the demand for specialized skills in the German data center market, the responsibilities outlined, and the cost of living in the Rhineland-Palatinate region.

Benefits:

AECOM offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees' well-being and professional growth, which may include:

• Health & Wellness: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Disability Benefits, Well-Being Resources, Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Time Off & Flexibility: Paid Time Off (PTO), Leaves of Absences, Flexible Work Options (aligning with the Hybrid work model).

• Financial Security & Growth: Retirement Savings Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), Service Recognition Awards.

• Additional Perks: Voluntary Benefits, General Perks, Business Travel Insurance.

Working Hours:

The standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered through the hybrid work arrangement. This allows for a balance between on-site collaboration and remote work, accommodating the demands of project management and design coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on industry data for similar roles in Germany. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and negotiation. The listed benefits are comprehensive and reflect AECOM's commitment to employee welfare.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering. AECOM is a global leader in providing professional services for infrastructure projects, including buildings, transportation, water