At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead electrical upgrades in live data centres, ensuring safety and efficiency.
- Company: Ethos, a dynamic consultancy focused on innovative data centre solutions.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, 25 days holiday, and support for professional development.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to sustainability and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on critical infrastructure while growing your career.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in building services engineering, with data centre experience preferred.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
About Ethos
Ethos is a collaborative team of engineers, consultants, and creative thinkers designing and delivering data centre and energy infrastructure across the world's most dynamic markets. As a multidisciplinary consultancy , we combine technical expertise, creativity, and integrated delivery to lead complex, mission-critical projects .
Built on strong relationships , clear leadership , and a can-do mindset, Ethos is entering an exciting phase of growth , expanding our capabilities and taking on increasingly high-impact projects across EMEA and beyond.
Sustainability guides how we design, collaborate, and deliver , creating innovative solutions and lasting value for our clients and communities - making Performance Made Possible.
About the Job
As a
Senior Project Engineer - Electrical , you will play a key role within Ethos' Data Centre Retrofit area, supporting the delivery of complex upgrades across mission-critical data centre environments.
You will lead the design, specification and delivery of electrical 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 also 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.
Responsibilities
- Lead the design and delivery of electrical 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 electrical system tie-in strategies for live power distribution upgrades, including UPS changeovers, busbar modifications, and generator integration in operational environments.
About You
Experience & Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical 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 EU building regulations; knowledge of LEED/BREEAM and the EU Energy Efficiency Directive is an advantage.
- Familiarity with BMS/EPMS integration and smart building systems within mission-critical environments is advantageous.
- Technical Skills
- Proven expertise in electrical building services design for live data centre environments, including LV/MV power distribution, UPS systems, standby generation, busbar upgrades, and life safety systems.
- Experience delivering electrical upgrades within operational mission-critical facilities - including live switchgear replacements, UPS changeovers, and phased distribution upgrades.
- Strong working knowledge of Auto CAD, Revit MEP, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office; experience with ETAP, Amtech, or DIALux for calculations.
- Excellent understanding of IEC, CIBSE, BS, IS, and EN standards applied to retrofit and live-environment projects.
- Experience producing single-line diagrams, schematics, and technical drawings for complex electrical retrofit scopes.
- Familiarity with commissioning, power system coordination studies, and compliance documentation for live data centre upgrades.
- 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?
Join collaborative leaders –
Work alongside experienced, approachable professionals who combine technical excellence with calm, supportive leadership.
Make a real impact –
Contribute to mission-critical infrastructure projects that support the digital and energy transition across EMEA and beyond.
Grow with us –
As a rapidly growing consultancy, we offer opportunities to develop your skills, broaden your experience, and build your career.
Shape a more sustainable future –
Sustainability isn't an initiative- it's embedded in every project, every discipline, and every decision we make.
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
- 25 Days holidays
- Pension Scheme
- Refer a Friend scheme
- Subsidised Health Insurance Allowance
- Working travel out-of-pocket expenses
- Regular training/mentoring / further college support
- Support for Chartership
- A Professional Subscription Fee paid by the company
- Paid Statutory Leaves
- Heavily subsidised social committee
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Senior Project Engineer – Electrical U.K (Data Centre Retrofit) Data Centre Retrofit · Birmingham, London · employer: Ethos Engineering
Ethos Engineering is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises collaboration and innovation in the fast-paced environment of data centre projects. With flexible working options and a strong commitment to professional development, employees are empowered to grow their skills while contributing to mission-critical projects. Located in Birmingham, the company fosters a supportive atmosphere where experienced engineers can mentor the next generation, making it a rewarding place to advance your career.
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We think this is how you could land Senior Project Engineer – Electrical U.K (Data Centre Retrofit) Data Centre Retrofit · Birmingham, London ·
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Project Engineer – Electrical U.K (Data Centre Retrofit) Data Centre Retrofit · Birmingham, London ·
Some tips for your application 🫡
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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 Ethos Engineering 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 Ethos Engineering 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!
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How to prepare for a job interview at Ethos Engineering
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Ethos Engineering, 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 Ethos Engineering 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.
