Job Title:
Project Manager – Data Center Construction
Location:
Pune, India (Onsite)
Employment Type:
Full-time, Permanent
Experience Required:
10–20 years in mission-critical facility construction, specifically in data center fit-outs, MEP systems, and infrastructure deployment
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering (Master’s degree or advanced certification preferred)
Reporting To:
Senior Director of Data Center Operations (based in the United States)
About The Role
We are looking for an experienced and technically proficient Project Manager to take full ownership of the end-to-end delivery of a new
hyperscale/enterprise data center
in Pune. This is a high-visibility role that requires deep domain knowledge in data center construction, mechanical and electrical systems, and mission-critical infrastructure.The ideal candidate will be the single point of accountability on-site, driving the project from design and procurement through construction, commissioning, and final handover. You will collaborate with US-based leadership, local engineering teams, contractors, and vendors to ensure the facility is delivered
on schedule, within budget, and in full compliance with global performance, safety, and redundancy standards.
Success in this position demands strong technical acumen, rigorous project governance, and exceptional stakeholder alignment in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Key Responsibilities
- End-to-End Project Leadership
- Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of the entire data center construction project, covering civil works, structural builds, MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) installation, and IT infrastructure fit-out.
- Develop and maintain detailed project plans, including phased timelines, budget forecasts, risk registers, resource allocation, and procurement schedules.
- Ensure all project phases adhere to global standards such as Uptime Institute Tier Certification, ASHRAE thermal guidelines, TIA-942, and local regulatory codes.
- Coordinate and synchronize efforts across multiple stakeholders: architects, general contractors, MEP specialists, vendors, and internal technical teams.
- Technical Design & Infrastructure Oversight
- Mechanical Systems: Direct the deployment of HVAC systems, chilled water plants, CRAC/CRAH units, and advanced cooling architectures. Oversee implementation of hot/cold aisle containment, underfloor airflow design, and emerging liquid cooling solutions (direct-to-chip, immersion cooling).
- Electrical Systems: Manage the installation and integration of high- and low-voltage power distribution, UPS systems, diesel generators, PDUs, and backup power configurations. Ensure required redundancy levels (N+1, 2N) are met and energy efficiency goals are achieved.
- Cabling & Rack Layouts: Supervise structured cabling (fiber/copper), cable tray routing, rack power distribution, and overall floor plan optimization for thermal management, scalability, and operational efficiency.
- Stakeholder, Vendor & Contract Management
- Act as the primary liaison between US leadership, local operations teams, contractors, and regulatory bodies.
- Conduct weekly project review meetings, track milestones, manage change requests, and provide transparent updates on budget, schedule, and risks.
- Lead the RFP process, evaluate contractor bids, negotiate contracts, and ensure vendor performance aligns with SLAs and project requirements.
- Quality Assurance, Safety & Compliance
- Enforce stringent safety protocols aligned with OSHA, NFPA, and local safety standards to maintain a zero-incident worksite.
- Oversee quality control inspections, factory acceptance tests, on-site integration testing, and final commissioning of all infrastructure systems.
- Drive sustainability initiatives, targeting compliance with LEED certification, energy-efficient cooling strategies, and carbon footprint reduction goals.
- Reporting, Documentation & Handover
- Maintain real-time project dashboards tracking schedule performance, budget health, risk exposure, and safety metrics.
- Deliver clear, data-driven executive briefings to US-based leadership and other stakeholders.
- Ensure comprehensive project documentation, including as-built drawings, system manuals, warranties, and operational handover packages, is accurately archived for future reference.
Required Skills & Qualifications
Technical Expertise
- Must-Have:
- 10+ years of hands-on experience in data center construction, fit-outs, or mission-critical facility upgrades.
- Deep expertise in grey space mechanical systems: cooling strategies, airflow management, containment, and precision environmental control.
- Strong knowledge of electrical infrastructure: UPS, generators, switchgear, power distribution, and backup power solutions.
- Familiarity with liquid cooling technologies (direct-to-chip, immersion) and their integration into existing data center designs.
- Understanding of Building Management Systems (BMS), Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) tools, and integrated monitoring platforms.
- Good-to-Have:
- Knowledge of hyperscale data center design principles (aligned with Google, AWS, or Microsoft frameworks).
- Experience with modular/prefabricated data center deployments and rapid scaling models.
- Exposure to network cabling standards, fiber optic installations, and physical security systems.
Project Management Skills
- Professional certification such as PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent is highly preferred.
- Proficiency with project management tools: MS Project, JIRA, Smartsheet, and design tools such as AutoCAD or BIM.
- Demonstrated capability in budgeting, forecasting, risk management, and schedule optimization in complex construction environments.
Soft Skills & Competencies
- Exceptional communication skills—both written and verbal—with the ability to convey technical details clearly to US-based leadership and cross-cultural teams.
- Proactive problem-solving ability, with a resilient, results-driven, and “can-do” attitude.
- Capable of managing high-pressure situations, tight deadlines, and rapidly evolving project requirements without compromising quality or safety.
Skills: data center,project,mep,data center construction,infrastructure
