Head of Design – Japan Data Center Development & Delivery

Sovereign AI is a UK-based AI infrastructure and software solutions provider building the next generation of sovereign-grade AI data centres across EMEA. Designed for resilience, security, and scale, we enable commercial and government customers to deploy advanced AI with confidence in environments where performance, reliability, and compliance are non-negotiable. Focused on regulated and mission-critical sectors including Government, Defence, Healthcare, and Financial Services, we are creating the trusted foundations for AI adoption at scale, combining robust infrastructure with disciplined governance to support long-term innovation and national-level capability.

As Head of Design for our Japan data centre programme, you will own the technical direction of our highest-density AI infrastructure builds in the market. You will set the Basis of Design for hyperscale AI clusters, lead full-lifecycle engineering from concept through to construction issue, and build the local team and partner network needed to deliver at pace.

Based in Tokyo with regular time on project sites, you will act as the country's technical authority on advanced cooling, power architecture, and seismic-resilient design, working closely with local regulators, utilities, and A&E partners to bring next-generation AI data centres to market.

• Own the enterprise Basis of Design (BOD) for high-density AI clusters, integrating advanced liquid cooling (DLC, immersion), ultra-high-density power distribution, and accelerated network architectures

• Act as the country subject matter expert on emerging AI workloads, thermal management, low-PUE energy strategies, and sustainability goals

• Drive innovation in modularity, scalable deployment, and disaster resilience for high-density compute environments

• Oversee full-lifecycle engineering from Concept and Schematic Design through Detailed Design and Issued for Construction documentation

• Lead cross-functional coordination across structural, electrical, mechanical, civil, network, and security disciplines

• Establish design-stage quality frameworks, peer reviews, and constructability audits to eliminate variations before site execution

• Lead evaluation, procurement, and onboarding of top-tier local A&E partners, engineering consultants, and commissioning agencies, and manage their delivery against spec, budget, and milestones

• Ensure full compliance with Japan's Building Standards Act, Fire Services Act, Electricity Business Act, and municipal guidelines, and lead engagement with utilities and regulators to secure construction, environmental, and electrical permits

• Integrate country-specific hazards into core design criteria, including seismic base isolation and typhoon/flood mitigation

• Partner with Global Supply Chain to evaluate and integrate long-lead critical infrastructure equipment, and work with local vendors and contractors to ensure design compatibility with Japanese materials and construction methods

• Recruit, build, and mentor a multidisciplinary team of structural, electrical, mechanical, and BIM/CAD engineers in Japan, establishing team KPIs and development tracks

  Experience

• 12+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience in data centre design

• Proven track record delivering hyperscale, colocation, or high-density compute facilities in Japan

• Demonstrated experience managing local A&E partners, engineering consultants, and commissioning agencies

• Experience building and scaling engineering teams from the ground up in a competitive talent market

• Track record engaging directly with Japanese regulators, municipal authorities, and utilities (e.g. TEPCO, KEPCO)

• In-depth expertise in high-density cooling technologies (Direct-to-Chip, Rear Door Heat Exchangers, Liquid Cooling Loops) and high-density power architectures

• Comprehensive understanding of Japanese building codes, zoning laws, seismic isolation design, and permitting processes

• Strong cross-functional design leadership across structural, electrical, mechanical, civil, network, and security disciplines

• Native or business-fluent Japanese (JLPT N1 equivalent) and professional fluent English

• Ability to interface confidently with both local regulatory bodies and global corporate leadership

• Team-building and people leadership in a technical, high-growth environment

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, or Structural Engineering, or Architecture

• First-Class Registered Architect (一級建築士) or Professional Engineer (PE / 技術士) in Japan preferred