Head of Data Centre Design
The Role
We're looking for a senior, hands-on technical leader to own the end-to-end design governance of our data center projects. Over the next 6-9 months, you'll be the technical authority coordinating design work across external engineering teams, working closely with our site sourcing team on project briefs and delivery.
Once established, you'll build and lead a team to optimize our reference architecture as we scale globally.
This isn't a typical data center roleyou'll be working at the intersection of HPC infrastructure, energy systems, and thermal network integration.
What You'll Do
- Own and develop our data center reference architecture and technical standards
- Lead technical review, challenge, and sign-off of all externally produced designs
- Provide hands-on oversight across M&E disciplinespower architecture, high-density cooling, heat recovery interfaces
- Manage day-to-day relationships with architects, MEP consultants, and design-build contractors
- Support construction and commissioning teams with rapid technical decision-making
- Translate technical strategy into clear Employer's Requirements and design briefs
- Ensure designs meet HPC performance requirements, resilience targets, and heat-reuse objectives
What We're Looking For
Essential:
- 8-12+ years in data center or mission-critical facility design with strong M&E background
- Proven experience as technical authority over third-party designs
- Track record delivering complex engineering projects from concept through commissioning
- Experience with HPC environments, high-density cooling, and resilient power systems
- Practical, hands-on mindsetcomfortable diving into detailed design when needed
- Strong understanding of D&B delivery models
- Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Building Services Engineering
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
- Comfortable in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments
Highly Desirable:
- Experience in energy or electrical infrastructure sectors
- Exposure to heat reuse, district heating, or thermal networks
- Broader system design experience beyond pure data center work
- Large infrastructure construction and operations background
- Chartered Engineer status
What We Offer
- Salary up to £120k + competitive package
- Hybrid working (office-based with flexibility)
- The chance to work at the cutting edge of sustainable infrastructure
- Mission-aligned, sharp team tackling a real climate challenge
- Opportunity to shape technical strategy as we scale globally
We're looking for the right person, not the fastest hirehappy to wait for exceptional talent.
Interested? Apply now with your CV.
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