Principal ELV Engineer | Data Centres - Abu Dhabi
Role Summary:
A leading international engineering consultancy is seeking an experienced Principal ELV Engineer to play a key technical leadership role in the design and delivery of complex data centre and mission-critical infrastructure projects across the Middle East. This opportunity is ideally suited to candidates coming from a consulting engineering environment with extensive experience designing and coordinating ELV systems for large-scale data centre developments.
As the Principal technical authority for ELV systems, you will lead the design strategy, integration, and delivery of critical building technologies across multiple high-profile projects. Working closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, clients, contractors, and technology vendors, you will oversee projects from concept design through commissioning and handover
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the design, coordination and delivery of mission-critical ELV systems across multiple concurrent data centre projects from concept design through to commissioning and handover.
- Act as the principal technical authority for ELV infrastructure including Structured Cabling, CCTV, Access Control, Fire Alarm Systems, BMS, DCIM, Public Address, Intercom, IPTV, SMATV and integrated smart building technologies.
- Develop ELV design strategies, system architectures and integration philosophies that support the resilience, redundancy and operational requirements of Tier III and Tier IV critical facilities.
- Provide technical leadership throughout design development, reviewing calculations, reports, specifications, drawings, schematics, BOQs and detailed engineering deliverables.
- Drive effective coordination between ELV, Electrical, ICT, Mechanical, Architectural and Structural disciplines to ensure seamless project delivery and system interoperability.
- Lead design reviews, technical workshops and client presentations, providing expert guidance on system performance, operational requirements, lifecycle considerations and future scalability.
- Ensure compliance with international and local standards including TIA-942, BICSI, NFPA, NEC and relevant authority requirements.
- Oversee technical governance, design assurance and quality control processes, carrying out peer reviews and providing mentoring to engineering teams.
- Support construction, commissioning and integrated systems testing activities, providing technical oversight and resolving complex site and interface issues.
- Engage with technology vendors and specialist consultants to evaluate emerging technologies, optimise designs and deliver value-engineered solutions without compromising reliability or performance.
- Contribute to bids, proposals and client pursuits, providing technical input, solution development and strategic support to business growth initiatives
Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline. Master's Degree would be advantageous.
- Minimum 15 years' experience in the design, integration and delivery of ELV systems, with a significant proportion of that experience gained within an engineering consultancy, design consultancy or mission-critical consulting environment.
- Demonstrated experience delivering complex Data Centre, Hyperscale, Colocation, Enterprise or Mission Critical facilities throughout the design lifecycle, from concept and master planning through detailed design, commissioning and handover.
- Proven ability to lead the technical delivery of multiple concurrent projects while maintaining quality, consistency and adherence to programme requirements.
- Extensive experience designing and integrating a broad range of ELV systems including Structured Cabling, CCTV, Access Control, Fire Alarm Systems, BMS, DCIM, Public Address, Intercom, IPTV, SMATV and related smart building technologies.
- Strong knowledge of mission-critical design principles, including resilience, redundancy, operational continuity and Tier III / Tier IV infrastructure requirements.
- Expert understanding of international industry standards and best practice including TIA-942, BICSI, NFPA, NEC, BS, IEEE and associated mission-critical design frameworks.
- Experience acting as a Design Authority, Lead Consultant, Principal Engineer or Technical Lead responsible for governance, design assurance, technical reviews and stakeholder management.
- Strong client-facing experience with the ability to engage confidently with developers, operators, investors, contractors and senior stakeholders, translating complex technical concepts into practical business solutions.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary design coordination activities with Electrical, ICT, Mechanical, Architectural and Structural teams within complex project environments.
- Proven capability in reviewing and approving technical specifications, calculations, reports, design drawings, BIM/Revit deliverables, vendor submissions and commissioning documentation.
- Experience supporting proposals, bids, client presentations and technical pursuits would be highly advantageous.
- Previous experience within the Middle East region and familiarity with local authority approval processes would be beneficial.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Accredited Tier Designer (ATD) certification.
- CDCDP, AOS or comparable Data Centre design qualifications.
- RCDD (BICSI), PMP, Chartered Engineer (CEng), MIET or equivalent professional accreditation.
- Proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit and BIM-led design environments
