Electrical Associate Director & Tech Lead, Data Centers

HDR; Manchester; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking an accomplished Electrical Associate Director / Technical Team Lead to join our Global Technology, Media and Telecommunications practice. You will lead complex electrical engineering solutions for hyperscale data-centre campuses, guiding projects from concept to delivery across the UK and internationally.

You will combine technical authority, people leadership and commercial judgement to shape high-performing teams, maintain stakeholder relationships, and deliver projects that are

Qualifications

• At least eight years’ relevant experience, including substantial experience operating at Senior Engineer level or above.
• A bachelor’s degree in engineering or an equivalent recognised qualification.
• Chartered Engineer status, or clear progress towards achieving chartership, is preferred.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain technical information to non-technical audiences and present clearly to senior leaders, clients and other stakeholders.
• Strong working knowledge of industry-standard design software, such as Amtech, DIALux, Revit and Bluebeam, together with the ability to develop the capability of junior design-team members.

Responsibilities

• Act as the senior technical point of contact for clients, building trusted relationships and guiding projects from concept through to successful delivery.
• Provide authoritative leadership across electrical engineering systems, including power distribution and generation, critical backup systems, energy management and resilient infrastructure.
• Set the standard for technical quality, ensuring designs achieve exceptional levels of innovation, performance, safety, sustainability and reliability.
• Champion advanced engineering tools, digital design technologies and emerging AI capabilities to improve decision-making and deliver better project outcomes.
• Build long-term partnerships by understanding each client’s ambitions and delivering solutions that create measurable value.
• Lead discussions with senior client stakeholders, translating complex technical challenges into clear, practical business decisions.
• Identify opportunities to broaden our services, deepen relationships and contribute to HDR’s sustainable growth.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams in delivering complex projects, balancing technical excellence with programme, budget and quality commitments.
• Maintain a clear view of project performance and provide timely strategic direction to resolve challenges without compromising design integrity.
• Work with HDR leaders and fellow employee-owners to strengthen our technical capability, project performance and reputation in the market.
• Create a culture of collaboration, innovation, continuous improvement and shared accountability.
• Lead technical reviews, design audits and quality-assurance activities that support consistently outstanding delivery.
• Identify learning and professional-development opportunities that build individual confidence and team capability.
• Encourage the open exchange of knowledge, lessons learnt and best practice across our global employee-owned network.
• Be a visible mentor, coach and trusted adviser to engineers at every stage of their careers.
• Develop future technical leaders by offering purposeful guidance, honest feedback and meaningful opportunities to grow.
• Build an environment where curiosity, inclusion, innovation and professional excellence can thrive.

Skills

Electrical design

Leadership

Client engagement

Communication

Amtech

DIALux

Revit

Bluebeam

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Amtech

DIALux

Revit

Bluebeam

Job description

HDR is seeking an accomplished Electrical Associate Director / Technical Team Lead to join our Global Technology, Media and Telecommunications practice. You will lead complex electrical engineering solutions for hyperscale data-centre campuses, guiding projects from concept to delivery across the UK and internationally.

You will combine technical authority, people leadership and commercial judgement to shape high-performing teams, maintain stakeholder relationships, and deliver projects that are