At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead electrical services for major data centre projects and set engineering standards.
- Company: Join a leading UK data centre developer with exciting growth opportunities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, hybrid working, and professional development support.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel to innovative campus sites across the South of England.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on critical infrastructure for top tech companies.
- Qualifications: Degree in Electrical Engineering; significant experience in mission-critical environments required.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
Location: London (hybrid, with travel to data centre campuses)
Sector: Data Centres – Hyperscale & Enterprise
The Opportunity
Ashby’s Consulting is working with a leading UK data centre developer and operator to appoint a Subject Matter Expert in Electrical Services.
You’ll be based in their London office. The client designs, builds and runs large data centre campuses for some of the world’s biggest technology companies and enterprise customers. They’re entering a major period of growth, with several large campus developments in the pipeline.
This is a senior client-side role: you’ll be the technical authority for electrical services across the portfolio. You’ll set the standard and guide design consultants, contractors and internal teams, rather than doing the detailed design yourself. It suits an experienced electrical engineer who wants to move from consultancy or contracting to the client side. You’ll have real influence over how critical infrastructure is specified, delivered and run.
The Role
- Act as the client’s electrical technical authority across all projects, from concept and design through construction, commissioning and handover.
- Develop, own and keep improving the client’s electrical design standards, employer’s requirements and technical specifications.
- Review and challenge design submissions from consultants and design-and-build contractors at every RIBA stage, checking for compliance, resilience, value and buildability.
- Provide expert input on HV/LV distribution, including grid connections, primary substations, HV switchgear, transformers, LV switchboards, UPS systems, standby generation, busbar systems and power monitoring (EPMS).
- Make sure resilience and redundancy strategies (N+1, 2N, distributed redundant) meet customer SLAs and the client’s design philosophy.
- Support utility and grid engagement, power procurement strategy and load planning for new and expanding campuses.
- Take part in factory witness testing and integrated systems testing (IST), and oversee commissioning to confirm systems perform as designed.
- Work with mechanical, controls, operations and construction teams to keep each campus’s engineering joined up.
- Advise on new technology, energy efficiency and sustainability, including higher-density and AI-driven loads, battery energy storage, alternative fuels and on-site generation.
- Support the customer technical due diligence and briefings, explaining the client’s electrical offering to hyperscale and enterprise clients.
- Review lessons learned from operational sites and feed them back into future designs.
About You
- Degree-qualified in Electrical Engineering or Building Services Engineering; Chartered (CEng) or Incorporated (IEng) with the IET or CIBSE is strongly preferred.
- Significant electrical building services experience, much of it in mission-critical environments. Data centre experience is essential.
- A background with a leading MEP consultancy, a specialist contractor, or a client or developer organisation.
- Detailed knowledge of HV and LV systems, protection and discrimination, power quality and critical power infrastructure.
- Thorough understanding of the relevant standards and frameworks, such as BS 7671, BS EN 61439, Uptime Institute Tier classifications, EN 50600 and the Electricity at Work Regulations.
- Confident reviewing designs critically, explaining technical decisions to senior stakeholders and pushing back where needed.
- Strong communication skills, comfortable working with consultants, contractors, customers and board-level stakeholders.
- A practical, commercially aware approach that balances resilience, cost and programme.
- Able to travel to campus sites in the South of England as needed.
What’s on Offer
- A senior client-side role with a growing data centre business that has a strong pipeline.
- Real influence over the engineering standards behind critical national digital infrastructure.
- Competitive salary, annual bonus, pension, private medical cover and a full benefits package.
- Hybrid working from a central London office.
- Support for continued professional development and chartership.
How to Apply
To find out more, please send your CV to George at Ashby’s Consulting. All applications are handled in strict confidence.
Subject Matter Expert – Electrical Services (Client Side) in Whitehall employer: Ashbys Consulting
This forward-thinking MEP consultancy offers an exceptional work environment that prioritises work-life balance, allowing employees to enjoy flexibility with only two days in the office each week. With a strong focus on employee growth and the opportunity to lead a dedicated data centre team, this company stands out as an attractive employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in a dynamic industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Subject Matter Expert – Electrical Services (Client Side) in Whitehall
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Subject Matter Expert – Electrical Services (Client Side) role you’re after at Ashbys Consulting.
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✨Apply Through Company Websites
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We think you need these skills to ace Subject Matter Expert – Electrical Services (Client Side) in Whitehall
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Subject Matter Expert – Electrical Services (Client Side), it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Ashbys Consulting a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Ashbys Consulting specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ashbys Consulting
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Ashbys Consulting, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like Ashbys Consulting want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
