At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the technical delivery of a mission-critical control centre for HS2.
- Company: Join High Speed Two Ltd, shaping the future of Britain's railway.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 12% pension, hybrid working, and career progression.
- Other info: Opportunity to lead a team and engage with senior stakeholders.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on a flagship infrastructure project with long-term security.
- Qualifications: Experience in complex infrastructure delivery and systems integration.
The predicted salary is between 85000 - 92000 £ per year.
Lead Project Engineer / Engineering Manager - Control Centre in Birmingham / Washwood Heath | Hybrid Working (3 Days Office/Site) 💰 £85,000 – £92,000 (potential to £101,500 subject to approval) + 12% Pension + Benefits.
HS2 Washwood Heath Depot – National Infrastructure Control Centre (NICC) is a long-term programme and flagship critical infrastructure asset. This is a rare opportunity to join High Speed Two Ltd in a senior client-side engineering leadership role, taking ownership of the NICC, a mission-critical facility at the heart of Britain’s new high-speed railway. This control centre building is similar to a Data Centre and will have similar power, cooling, and building systems to cope with a large amount of computers and electrical equipment. Candidates from both rail and non-rail environments are sought.
The NICC is a highly complex operational control environment, requiring exceptional levels of resilience, systems integration, and engineering assurance. You will lead the technical delivery, coordination, and assurance of the building from design through to construction, commissioning, and operational handover. You will act as the client’s senior technical authority, ensuring the supply chain delivers a fully compliant, integrated, and operationally robust facility that meets stringent safety, performance, and regulatory requirements.
Why This Role Stands Out:- Client-side leadership role on a nationally significant infrastructure asset
- Ownership of a mission-critical control centre within HS2’s rail operations network
- High exposure across MEP, building systems, controls, and infrastructure interfaces
- Full lifecycle involvement: design, construction, testing & commissioning
- Significant stakeholder engagement across contractors, engineers, and senior leadership
- Complex systems integration environment with multiple interfacing work packages
- Strong long-term programme security and career progression
- Opportunity to lead and develop a small team of senior engineers
- Hybrid working with a delivery-focused, flexible culture
The Role: Reporting into the Head of Engineering, you will lead the risk-based technical assurance of the NICC building across all phases of delivery. You will act as the key interface between HS2 and multiple Tier 1 contractors, ensuring that mission-critical building systems are designed, built, and commissioned in line with client, regulatory, and operational requirements. A core focus of the role is systems integration and assurance, ensuring mechanical, electrical, HVAC, digital, and control systems operate cohesively within a high-availability operational environment. You will also be responsible for supporting CDM Principal Designer duties and NEC Supervisor responsibilities, working closely with project managers, commercial teams, and technical specialists.
Key Responsibilities:- Lead technical assurance of NICC building design, construction, and commissioning
- Review and approve contractor submissions against client and regulatory standards
- Manage systems integration across MEP, controls, and building infrastructure
- Discharge CDM Principal Designer Representative and NEC Supervisor duties
- Ensure compliance with operational, safety, and resilience requirements
- Coordinate technical interfaces between multiple contractors and work packages
- Identify and manage technical risk, assumptions, and engineering change
- Support commissioning, testing, and operational readiness activities
- Provide clear technical direction and resolve complex engineering challenges
- Lead reporting on technical progress, assurance, and risk
- Manage and support a small team of Senior Project Engineers
You are likely a senior engineer or engineering manager with experience delivering or assuring complex, mission-critical infrastructure buildings.
Essential Experience:- Strong background in MEP, building services, or complex infrastructure delivery
- Experience on large-scale buildings (£100m+), ideally mission-critical environments
- Understanding of systems integration across multi-disciplinary engineering teams
- Experience working under NEC contracts
- Familiarity with CDM 2015 and Principal Designer responsibilities
- Strong stakeholder management across contractors and client organisations
- Ability to manage technical risk and drive engineering decisions
- Data centres or control centres
- Rail, aviation & nuclear control centres
- Telecommunications hubs or mission-critical environments
- Large-scale industrial or automated facilities
- Client-side, consultancy, or Tier 1 contractor experience
This is a career-defining opportunity to lead the technical delivery of one of HS2’s most important operational buildings. You will play a central role in shaping how a mission-critical control environment is delivered, integrated, and commissioned, directly influencing the safe and reliable operation of Britain’s future high-speed railway for decades to come.
Engineering Manager - Data / Control Centres in Birmingham employer: Charlton Recruitment
High Speed Two Ltd offers an exceptional opportunity for Engineering Managers to lead the technical delivery of the National Infrastructure Control Centre in Birmingham. With a focus on hybrid working, a supportive culture, and significant career progression, employees are empowered to shape critical infrastructure while enjoying a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. Join a team that values resilience, innovation, and collaboration in delivering one of the UK's most vital control centres.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Manager - Data / Control Centres in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and recent developments, especially around mission-critical environments like control centres. This will help you tailor your responses and show you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your technical explanations! As an Engineering Manager, you'll need to communicate complex ideas clearly. Try explaining your past projects to friends or family to refine your pitch and make it relatable.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you a leg up in the process. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Manager - Data / Control Centres in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Engineering Manager role. Highlight your background in MEP, building services, or complex infrastructure delivery to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for leading technical delivery and how your experience aligns with the mission-critical nature of the NICC. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a senior engineer or engineering manager, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Talk about your experience managing teams and coordinating with multiple contractors to ensure seamless project delivery.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at HS2!
How to prepare for a job interview at Charlton Recruitment
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of MEP systems, building services, and complex infrastructure delivery. Be ready to discuss your experience with large-scale projects, especially those over £100m, as this will show you understand the scale and complexity of the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Engineering Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead a team and manage stakeholders effectively. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, particularly in high-pressure environments, and be ready to discuss your approach to technical assurance and risk management.
✨Understand the Regulatory Landscape
Familiarise yourself with CDM 2015 regulations and NEC contracts, as these are crucial for the role. Be prepared to explain how you've applied these in previous projects and how you ensure compliance with safety and operational requirements.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Don't just wait for questions; engage with your interviewers by asking insightful questions about the NICC project and its challenges. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company culture aligns with your values.
