Black & White Engineering
Design Manager – Data Centres (Frankfurt)
Requirements
Candidates should have proven experience in a Design Manager or senior design coordination role, with a strong background in building services or MEP design, ideally within data centres. Familiarity with BIM processes and the ability to manage client relationships are also essential.
Job Description
Ready to lead the design delivery of complex, mission-critical projects in Europe’s data-centre capital?
This is a rare opportunity to relocate to Frankfurt and take on a Design Manager role at the heart of some of Europe’s most technically demanding and high-profile data-centre developments.
This position is ideally suited to an experienced design professional from a building services, MEP, or multidisciplinary background, currently working in the UK or EU, who is ready to step into a leadership role with responsibility for coordination, delivery, and client engagement across major projects.
What’s in It for You
Relocation to Europe’s Data-Centre Capital - Frankfurt is one of the most active data-centre markets globally. By relocating, you’ll be working on large-scale hyperscale and colocation developments with strong long-term demand and investment.
Lead the Full Design Lifecycle - As Design Manager, you’ll take ownership of design delivery from concept through to construction, ensuring coordination across all disciplines and alignment with client expectations.
Work on Mission-Critical Projects - You’ll be involved in highly complex, high-availability environments, managing the integration of mechanical, electrical, and specialist systems designed for resilience and continuous operation.
Drive Collaboration Across Disciplines - You’ll act as the central point of coordination between MEP, structural, BIM, and client teams — ensuring designs are efficient, coordinated, and deliverable.
Client Engagement & Project Influence - You’ll work closely with clients, providing leadership, clarity, and assurance throughout the design process, helping to manage expectations and drive successful outcomes.
International & High-Performing Environment - You’ll collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across Black & White Engineering’s global offices, combining UK best practice with German standards and local delivery requirements.
Build Capability Around You - You’ll support and guide engineers and coordinators, helping to develop team capability while strengthening your own leadership and commercial skills.
Essential Skills
- Proven experience in a Design Manager or senior design coordination role within construction or consulting engineering
- Strong background in building services / MEP design, ideally within data centres or mission-critical environments
- Experience managing multidisciplinary design teams across complex projects
- Strong understanding of design processes, coordination, and project delivery from concept to handover
- Ability to manage client relationships and communicate effectively at all levels
- Familiarity with BIM processes and coordinated digital delivery
- Experience within the UK or EU construction or consulting engineering market
- Willingness to relocate to Frankfurt, Germany (support provided)
German language skills are advantageous but not essential at the point of relocation — support can be provided as you settle into the role.
In addition, you will be joining a community that actively supports learning and development through regular knowledge-sharing sessions and investment in accredited professional courses. You can set the pace for your professional development, with the support needed to progress in the direction that suits your career ambitions.
Company Overview
Black & White Engineering is a multi-award-winning engineering consultancy with offices across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.
We are a leading provider of engineering design services for the data-centre sector, delivering expertise across Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP), Civil and Structural, Power Systems, Sustainability, BIM, Design Management and specialist infrastructure disciplines.
Our teams support projects across the full construction lifecycle, providing practical, efficient design solutions that prioritise real-world installation, maintenance, and operational performance.
As one of the fastest-growing consultancies in our industry, we offer genuine opportunities for progression. Many of our engineers have developed into leadership roles as the business has expanded.
Joining Black & White means making a meaningful impact with clients and colleagues, while receiving the recognition you deserve.
Skills
About Black & White Engineering
Black & White Engineering is a global MEP design consultancy. We delight in presenting quality in all we offer. We listen, collaborate, and challenge to provide simple, practical, and agile solutions to our clients’ changing needs. AWARD-WINNING In 2021, we were awarded MEP Engineering Company of the Year for the fourth consecutive year at the Middle East Consultant Awards. These awards are a testament to the exceptional level of proficiency, compliance, dependability, and quality that we have achieved. Black & White has extensive experience in producing energy efficient, practical electrical and mechanical designs that are commercially feasible and robust, and that meet the exacting demands of the local conditions in each of the regions we operate. OUR APPROACH Our ethos is simple: quick delivery of premium MEP services by experienced and talented engineers. Our business model is designed to commit all our available engineering expertise to client projects. That means our directors are able to devote their time to the needs of clients, away from the shackles of general management. It also allows our senior engineers to do what they do best: produce distinctive and innovative designs that maintain Black & White as an industry leader. OUR PRINCIPLES - ACCOUNTABILITY: Everyone is accountable. - QUALITY: We strive to get it right first time, every time. - INTEGRITY: We are straight talking, respectful, and fair. - SUPPORTIVE: We are approachable, inclusive, and we recognise success. - SIMPLICITY: Both in our approach and solutions. QUALITY ASSURANCE Black & White is committed to the continuous quality improvement of our practices and procedures and strives to provide a level of service that exceeds the expectations and requirements of our clients. We are certified in ISO 9001:2015 / ISO 45001:2018 / ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 19650.