Design Manager (M&E) Data Centres

The Design Manager (M&E) is responsible for leading the mechanical and electrical design development of data centre projects from concept through to commissioning and handover. The role ensures that all building services designs meet client requirements, industry standards, sustainability targets, operational resilience objectives, and project delivery timelines. The Design Manager will coordinate consultants, contractors, vendors, and client stakeholders to deliver highly resilient, efficient, and scalable data centre infrastructure.

Responsibilities

Lead the M&E design process throughout all project stages; Manage and coordinate design consultants, specialist subcontractors, and equipment suppliers; Review and approve mechanical and electrical design documentation; Ensure designs comply with project specifications, client standards, and relevant regulations; Drive design optimisation to improve efficiency, constructability, maintainability, and cost-effectiveness; Oversee the design and integration of power distribution systems, HV and LV installations, UPS systems and battery storage, standby generators and fuel systems, cooling systems, BMS, EPMS and DCIM systems, fire detection and suppression systems, telecommunications and structured cabling infrastructure; Act as the primary M&E design contact for clients and project teams; Chair design coordination workshops and technical meetings; Collaborate closely with construction, commissioning, and operations teams; Support procurement and technical evaluation of suppliers and contractors; Identify design risks and implement mitigation strategies; Ensure compliance with Uptime Institute standards, TIA-942 requirements, BREEAM/LEED standards, local building regulations and health & safety requirements; Manage design and change control processes; Support programme development and monitor design deliverables; Assist with commissioning planning and testing activities; Support project handover and close-out documentation; Represent the business upholding core values and behaviours; Maintain business and client confidentiality

Requirements

Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Building Services Engineering or related discipline; Proven experience in M&E design or design management; Strong experience delivering mission-critical or data centre projects; Experience managing multidisciplinary design teams; Knowledge of Tier III and Tier IV data centre design principles; Experience working within design-and-build or EPC environments; Experience with hyperscale data centre developments; Experience of liquid-cooling or chiller systems in a data centre environment; Experience working with major cloud providers or colocation operators; Commissioning and operational readiness experience

Nice to have

CIBSE Member; IET Member; Chartered Engineer (CEng) status preferred