Head of Engineering Design

About the organization

CTS Group is a leading global provider of critical infrastructure solutions, specializing in datacenter design, construction, and maintenance across emerging markets. We foster an innovative, collaborative environment where engineering excellence drives our mission to deliver world-class infrastructure that powers the digital economy.

The Role

• Engineering Team Build;

• Lead and scale the full engineering design function: electrical, mechanical, structural, multi-disciplinary;

• First engineers already in place — take this from 30 to 300+

• Set hiring standards; build Brazil's top DC engineering talent pipeline;

• Player-coach at every stage — technically engaged, not just organisationally overhead;

• Customer Translation & BD;

• Work with the CEO and CTS global BD teams to translate customer requirements into engineering briefs;

• The engineering voice in client conversations —making commercial discussions technically credible;

• Build peer relationship with CTS SVP Engineering (Portugal) and global engineering leads;

• Design Quality & Technical Standards;

• Own the engineering design quality framework for CTS Brazil | CTS Portugal sets the global standard — Brazil meets and advances it

• Final technical sign-off before any deliverable leaves;

• QA/QC processes, design review protocols, compliance with European and global engineering codes;

• GCC Co-Leadership;

• Partner with the CEO on governance, process, and cross-functional integration;

• Senior leadership table presence and full strategic visibility;

• Interface with the Brazil. D&B entity — ensuring design output is buildable and incorporating

  delivery feedback into design practice;

COO means co-building a company, not running a department. The engineering function is yours. You sit at the leadership table, participate in all strategic decisions, and carry the engineering identity of CTS Brazil on your shoulders. The team you build here will define CTS's global engineering capability for years to come.

What we're looking for:

Deep, hands-on DC MEP and power systems design expertise — HV/MV/LV, cooling architecture for high-density AI loads, multi-code delivery. The kind that earns immediate peer respect from CTS's European engineering teams in the first meeting.

Proven track record of building and scaling an engineering design team — from small to large, from support function to trusted global partner. Not inherited. Built.

P&L accountability and delivery experience — has owned revenue, margin, and delivery targets, not just technical outputs.

Career step-up ambition — motivated by what you'll build, not collecting another line on a CV.

Brazil -based and ready to commit.

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Civil Engineering with 12+ years of experience in critical infrastructure design;

• Professional Engineering license (CREA registration) and fluency in Portuguese and English;

• Proven track record leading engineering teams of 10+ professionals in complex

  infrastructure projects;

• Deep expertise in datacenter design including power distribution, cooling systems, fire

  protection, and building management systems;

• Strong knowledge of Brazilian electrical codes (NBR standards), safety regulations, and

  environmental compliance requirements;

• Experience with AutoCAD, Revit, ETAP, and other engineering design software;

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with budgets exceeding $50M;

• Strong client-facing skills and experience presenting to C-level executives;

• PMP certification or equivalent project management qualification preferred;

What we offer

• A functioning engineering team already assembled — a running start, not a blank page;

• A CEO who brings GCC build, P&L, commercial, and DC delivery expertise — your counterpart,

  not your competitor;

• A D&B entity peer with hyperscaler relationships and delivery depth — natural interface for BD

  and construction alignment;

• CTS Group growing from €700M to €4B+, anchored in AI data centers, Dragonfly modular

  technology, and guaranteed PUE propositions no competitor matches;

• The authority to hire who you believe in, set standards you're proud of, and build a team whose

  work goes to construction on some of the world's mos complex DC projects.