Design Lead (Data Centre)

About the Position

Nscale is taking on the hyperscalers by building a vertically integrated cloud built for AI. We own the data centres, software, and applications that power today's AI stack using sustainable technology solutions. We thrive on a culture of relentless innovation, ownership, and accountability, where every team member takes pride in their work and drives it with excellence and urgency.

We are seeking an experienced Design Lead to lead the development and delivery of data-centre design across Korea. This role will provide technical spearheading from early site evaluation and concept design through detailed design, construction support, commissioning, and handover.

Role will be based in Gumi, Korea

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end design of new-build, expansion, and retrofit data centre projects across APAC, covering concept, schematic, detailed design, construction documentation, and design handover.
• Establish technical design strategies, standards, and design criteria for critical infrastructure, including electrical, mechanical, cooling, controls, fire/life safety, civil, and structural systems.
• Ensure designs meet availability, resilience, security, scalability, energy-efficiency, and sustainability objectives, while aligning with business, customer, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead and manage external design consultants, architects, engineers, and specialist vendors; ensure quality, timeliness, and cost-effective delivery of design packages.
• Review designs, technical submittals, specifications, drawings, and calculations to ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, and internal design guidelines.
• Partner with site selection, development, and commercial teams to assess potential sites, utility capacity, planning constraints, constructability, programme, and cost risks.
• Work closely with construction and project management teams to resolve technical issues during delivery, support design change control, and manage consultant performance.
• Partner with commissioning and operations teams to ensure designs are operable, maintainable, and ready for effective handover.
• Drive design optimization, value engineering, and lessons learned across the regional portfolio without compromising critical-system reliability or customer commitments.
• Build, maintain, and continuously improve APAC design standards, reference designs, technical specifications, and engineering governance processes.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to design engineers and project teams across the region.
• Support technical due diligence, customer technical discussions, and executive updates as required.

Requirements

• Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Structural, or Building Services Engineering, Architecture, or equivalent.
• Typically 10+ years of relevant experience in mission-critical facilities, data centres, industrial facilities, semiconductor, healthcare, or other complex infrastructure environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading multi-disciplinary design for large-scale data-centre developments from concept through construction and handover.
• Strong technical understanding of data-centre electrical and mechanical systems, including MV/LV distribution, generators, UPS, cooling systems, BMS/EPMS, controls, and fire/life-safety systems.
• Familiarity with data centre design standards and industry practices, such as Uptime Institute, TIA-942, EN 50600, ASHRAE, and relevant local standards.
• Proven ability to manage consultants, technical design reviews, programme milestones, budgets, and competing project priorities.
• Strong understanding of constructability, commissioning, operational readiness, and lifecycle maintenance considerations.
• Experience working across multiple APAC markets and navigating varying local authority, utility, and regulatory requirements is highly preferred.
• Excellent stakeholder-management, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to explain technical issues clearly to non-technical audiences.

We Offer

• Opportunity to work in a cutting-edge, innovative environment.
• Be part of a team that is shaping the future of AI and cloud infrastructure.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Professional growth and development opportunities.

About the Company

At Nscale, we constantly push the boundaries of innovation, embracing creative risks to shape the future. Our aim is to deliver products that not only meet but exceed today’s expectations, setting new standards for tomorrow. We set high standards, ensuring that our contributions are not just good but exceptional. We believe trust and transparency are key to our success. We maintain open communication within our teams and with stakeholders, sharing both successes and challenges. Our open-source approach allows customers to explore our technology, building trust and ensuring our solutions are both innovative, secure, and reliable.

Equal Opportunities Statement

We strongly encourage applications from people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, parents, carers, and people from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

If there’s anything we can do to accommodate your specific situation, please let us know.

The responsibilities outlined in this job description are not exhaustive and are intended to provide a general overview of the position. The employee may be required to perform additional duties, tasks, and responsibilities as assigned by management, consistent with the skills and qualifications required for the role.

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