Associate Electrical Director: Data Centres

AECO; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

AECO is seeking an Associate Electrical Director to lead technical excellence in data centre projects across the UK and EMEA, guiding a team of engineers and collaborating with global colleagues to deliver resilient, efficient, and low‑carbon electrical designs.

You will own electrical design from feasibility through handover, define power architectures, lead protection studies, coordinate multi‑disciplinary interfaces, and ensure compliance with IEC/BS/EN standards while embedding

Qualifications

• Extensive experience delivering electrical design for data centres.
• Strong leadership and team development capabilities.
• Proven client-facing and work-winning track record.
• Deep knowledge of IEC/BS/EN standards and project controls.
• Commercial acumen with ability to manage project financials.

Responsibilities

• Own electrical design across feasibility to handover for data centre projects.
• Define and validate power architectures including MV/LV, UPS, generators, switchgear.
• Lead power systems studies and protection design (load flow, short circuit, arc-flash).
• Coordinate monitoring/controls (BMS/SCADA) and metering strategies.
• Embed decarbonization and energy efficiency initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with codes and AECOM quality procedures.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary interfaces to deliver integrated designs.

Skills

Electrical design

Data centre expertise

Team leadership

Client facing

Project delivery

Tools

ETAP

SKM

Job description

Role overview

Associate Electrical Director responsible for driving technical excellence in data centre projects, leading a UK/EMEA-based team of engineers and collaborating with global colleagues to deliver resilient, efficient, and low‑carbon electrical designs.

Responsibilities

• Own electrical design across feasibility, concept, scheme, and detailed design, through procurement support, construction, commissioning, and handover.
• Define and validate power architectures (utility intake, MV/LV distribution, UPS topologies, generators, switchgear, PDUs, STS, busway, earthing, and lighting).
• Lead power systems studies and protection design (load flow, short circuit, protection coordination, arc‑flash, harmonic analysis) using tools such as ETAP/SKM.
• Integrate monitoring and controls (BMS/EPMS/SCADA), metering strategies, and resilience features aligned to availability objectives (e.g., Tier II–IV).
• Embed decarbonization and energy efficiency (high‑efficiency UPS, advanced controls, heat recovery, demand response, on‑site renewables, and grid‑interactive strategies).
• Assure compliance with applicable standards and codes (e.g., IEC/BS/EN and/or NEC/NFPA), client specifications, and AECOM quality procedures.
• Coordinate multi‑disciplinary interfaces (mechanical, structural, architectural, fire/life safety, security, ICT) to deliver fully integrated designs.

Qualifications

• Strong career background in the delivery of electrical project work across data centres and mission‑critical environments.
• Proven experience leading data centre project work streams in the UK and preferably across EMEA.
• Demonstrable client‑facing and work‑winning experience.
• Excellent team leadership and development capability.
• Detailed knowledge of mechanical design, engineering practices, techniques and procedures for data centres and their interfaces with clients.
• Strong commercial acumen and experience in managing project financials.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Good financial understanding of projects to ensure successful delivery.

Note: This description excludes non‑essential promotional content and recruitment process details. All information reflects the responsibilities and qualifications for the role.