At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead mechanical system design and delivery for data centre retrofit projects.
- Company: Join Ethos, a forward-thinking consultancy in data centre engineering.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 20 days holiday, and support for professional development.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for career growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in mission-critical environments while mentoring the next generation of engineers.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in building services engineering with a focus on data centres.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About the Job
As a Senior Project Engineer – Mechanical, you will play a key role within Ethos’ Data Centre team, with a focus on retrofit projects across mission‑critical data centre environments.
You will lead the design, specification and delivery of mechanical systems, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest technical standards.
Working within live environments, you will help maintain continuity of operations while delivering high‑quality engineering solutions.
This role will involve managing project delivery, mentoring junior engineers and acting as a key technical point of contact for clients and contractors across major European data centre markets.
- Your Day‑to‑Day Activities
- Lead the design and delivery of mechanical building services upgrades within live data centre environments, including M&E upgrades, capacity increases, technology refreshes, phased refurbishments, and lifecycle replacements.
- Develop and manage retrofit‑specific design strategies, including tie‑ins to live systems, redundancy planning, outage and staging strategies, and resilience design.
- Conduct or oversee technical due diligence of existing data centre facilities, including capacity unlock assessments (power, cooling, and white space).
- Prepare and review detailed design drawings, schematics, schedules, technical reports, and tender documentation.
- Manage project scope, budget, programme, and contracts – identifying and mitigating scope creep, risks, and live‑environment constraints.
- Liaise directly with clients (hyperscale, colocation, and enterprise operators), contractors, and vendors to ensure project goals are achieved with zero operational disruption.
- Drive quality assurance and governance across all assigned projects, adhering to WAP/PTW protocols in live environments.
- Mentor and support the development of junior engineers and graduate staff within the retrofit workstream.
- Support business development by contributing to proposals, client presentations, and technical strategies for retrofit opportunities across EMEA.
- Champion innovation in live‑environment engineering and contribute to the continuous improvement of Ethos’ retrofit delivery model.
- Lead phasing strategy for live cooling and HVAC upgrades, ensuring continuity of critical mechanical infrastructure throughout delivery.
About You
- Technical Skills
- Strong expertise in mechanical systems design for live data centre environments, including chilled water plant, CRAC/CRAH upgrades, air handling units, in‑row cooling, and fire suppression systems.
- Experience delivering M&E upgrades within operational facilities – including tie‑ins to live plant, outage management, and resilience planning.
- Proficient in Auto CAD, Revit MEP, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office; working knowledge of IES, HAP, or similar mechanical analysis tools is advantageous.
- Strong knowledge of CIBSE, ASHRAE, BS, IS, and EN standards applied in retrofit and live‑environment contexts.
- Understanding of PUE optimisation and cooling efficiency improvements to meet EU Energy Efficiency Directive targets and client ESG requirements.
- Familiarity with commissioning and integration of mechanical systems within live, mission‑critical facilities.
Experience & Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
- Minimum 8 years’ experience in building services engineering, with at least 3 years focused on data centre or mission‑critical projects.
- Demonstrable experience working in live, operational data centre environments – including brownfield upgrades, M&E replacements, or phased refurbishments.
- Chartered Engineer status (or actively working towards Chartership) with Engineers Ireland or equivalent.
- Proven track record managing multi‑million‑euro MEP projects from concept to completion.
- Strong understanding of Irish and EU building regulations; knowledge of LEED/BREEAM and the EU Energy Efficiency Directive is an advantage.
- Soft Skills
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with confidence in client‑facing settings.
- Strong organisational and problem‑solving abilities, capable of managing multiple concurrent retrofit projects.
- Collaborative approach to working across multidisciplinary teams including mechanical, electrical, sustainability, and BIM disciplines.
- Proactive, detail‑oriented mindset with a sharp focus on risk management and technical quality in live environments.
- Calm under pressure – able to make sound engineering decisions within constrained, operational environments.
Why Join Us?
At Ethos, we’re dedicated to fostering an environment that encourages both technical excellence and personal wellbeing.
- We Offer
- Flexible Fridays and a 9‑day fortnight working schedule – enjoy every second Friday off to maintain work‑life balance.
- A culture that values flexibility, learning, and teamwork, with clear progression pathways and support toward professional accreditation.
- Opportunities to work alongside some of the most experienced engineers in the industry, within a forward‑thinking, technology‑driven consultancy.
Benefits
- Flexible working times / Hybrid Working
- 20 days of holidays
- Pension Scheme
- Coverage for working travel out‑of‑pocket expenses
- Regular training, mentoring, and further college support
- Support for Chartership
- A professional subscription fee paid by the company
- Heavily subsidised social committee activities (5‑a‑side football, golf society, climbing club, and regular social events)
Ethos is a team of collaborative and creative consultant engineers & professionals, leading data centre and energy infrastructure projects globally.
- Our Charter
- We believe in strong human relationships
- We believe clear leadership lights the path
- We believe sustainability is non‑negotiable
- We believe a can‑do mindset can move mountains
- We believe in a relentless focus on delivery
- Performance Made Possible
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Project Engineer – Mechanical (Data Centre Retrofit) in London
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like Ethos Engineering.
✨Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
✨Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like Ethos Engineering love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Ethos Engineering and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Project Engineer – Mechanical (Data Centre Retrofit) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for Ethos Engineering and the Senior Project Engineer – Mechanical (Data Centre Retrofit) role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ethos Engineering
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at Ethos Engineering.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at Ethos Engineering.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with Ethos Engineering, making you a more appealing candidate.
