At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead electrical upgrades in live data centre environments and mentor junior engineers.
- Company: Ethos, a forward-thinking consultancy in data centre and energy infrastructure.
- Benefits: Flexible Fridays, 25 days holiday, and support for professional development.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for social events and career growth.
- Why this job: Join a team that values innovation and work-life balance while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in electrical engineering with experience in mission-critical projects.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
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.
Your day-to-day activities:
- 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:
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 AutoCAD, 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 25 Days holidays
- Pension Scheme
- Working travel out-of-pocket expenses
- Regular training/mentoring / further college support
- Support for Chartership
- Subsidised Health Insurance Allowance
- A Professional Subscription Fee paid by the company
- Paid Statutory Leaves
- Referral scheme
- Heavily subsidised social committee (5 a side, golf society, climbing club and regular social events)
At Ethos, we offer Flexible Fridays every second Friday as a perk! Apply today and take the first step towards a healthier work-life balance!
Company Description: 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.
Our Tagline: Performance Made Possible.
Senior Project Engineer – Electrical U.K (Data Centre Retrofit) in Birmingham employer: Ethos
Ethos is an exceptional employer that prioritises both technical excellence and personal wellbeing, making it an ideal place for a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to thrive. With a flexible working model, including Flexible Fridays and a 9-day fortnight, employees enjoy a healthy work-life balance while benefiting from clear progression pathways and opportunities for professional development. The Birmingham hub offers a collaborative environment where you can work alongside experienced engineers on cutting-edge data centre projects across the EMEA region.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Project Engineer – Electrical U.K (Data Centre Retrofit) in Birmingham
✨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 Senior Project Engineer – Electrical U.K (Data Centre Retrofit) role you’re after at Ethos.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
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Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at Ethos.
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Project Engineer – Electrical U.K (Data Centre Retrofit) in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Senior Project Engineer – Electrical U.K (Data Centre Retrofit), 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 Ethos 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 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 Ethos
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Ethos, 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 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.
