Mechanical Maintenance Engineer - Data Centre

James Lewis Recruitment; Slough; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Shift allowance

Private medical

Pension

Holiday entitlement

Job summary

James Lewis Recruitment in Slough is seeking a Mechanical Maintenance Engineer to maintain live data centre facilities. You will focus on cooling systems and critical infrastructure, operating on a 4 on 4 off, 12-hour shift pattern.

The role requires hands-on maintenance experience in data centres or similar critical environments, with strong mechanical expertise and a recognised qualification. A permanent position offering a competitive package is on offer.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Mechanical Maintenance Engineer or similar in data centres or critical facilities.
• Experience with liquid cooling systems preferred.
• Ability to work 4 on 4 off, 12-hour shifts.
• Recognised mechanical qualification (NVQ, City & Guilds, apprenticeship)

Responsibilities

• Carry out planned and reactive mechanical maintenance for live data centres.
• Maintain liquid cooling systems and associated plant.
• Monitor performance, identify faults, and respond to alarms.
• Complete logbooks, permits, and maintenance reports.
• Coordinate with shift team, subcontractors, and client reps.
• Maintain health and safety and site procedures.

Skills

Mechanical maintenance

Critical facilities

Data centre experience

Shift work

Education

Mechanical qualification

Job description

Mechanical Maintenance Engineer

Slough | Data Centre | 4 on 4 off shift

£50,000 - £60,000 + 10% shift allowance + bonus + private medical + pension + holiday

If you're a Mechanical Maintenance Engineer who wants to work in a proper live data centre environment rather than a standard commercial building, this is a strong opportunity.

You’ll be working on a live data centre site with four data halls, supporting the day-to-day mechanical maintenance of critical cooling and associated building services infrastructure. The role will have a particular focus on liquid cooling systems, alongside the wider mechanical plant needed to keep a mission‑critical facility operating safely and reliably.

This is not a basic maintenance role. You’ll be working in an environment where uptime, response, documentation, safety and attention to detail all matter.

The role

You’ll be part of the on‑site engineering team responsible for planned and reactive mechanical maintenance across a live data centre facility.

The site operates around four data halls, with mechanical systems supporting high‑density technical environments. You’ll help maintain liquid cooling systems and associated infrastructure, while also covering the usual mechanical systems found within a critical environment.

The role is based on a 12‑hour shift pattern, working 4 on 4 off.

You’ll need to be comfortable working in a controlled site environment, following procedures, maintaining accurate records and responding quickly when issues occur.

What you’ll be doing

• Carrying out planned preventative maintenance and reactive maintenance across the data centre.
• Maintaining liquid cooling systems serving live data hall environments.
• Working across chilled water systems, pumps, valves, pipework, pressurisation units, AHUs, FCUs, CRAC / CRAH units and associated mechanical plant.
• Monitoring mechanical plant performance and identifying faults before they become operational issues.
• Responding to alarms, plant failures and urgent maintenance requirements.
• Supporting water treatment, temperature control, cooling performance and general mechanical compliance.
• Completing logbooks, PPM records, permits, reports and maintenance documentation accurately.
• Working closely with the shift team, site management, specialist subcontractors and client representatives.
• Supporting isolations, shutdowns, permits, risk assessments and method statements where required.
• Escorting and coordinating specialist contractors on site.
• Maintaining high standards around health and safety, housekeeping, site procedures and live environment controls.
• Supporting continuous improvement around reliability, resilience and plant performance.

What you’ll need

• You’ll need experience as a Mechanical Maintenance Engineer, Shift Engineer, Critical Facilities Engineer, Data Centre Engineer or Building Services Engineer.
• Data centre experience would be a strong advantage, but experience from critical environments, hospitals, banking, pharmaceutical, laboratories, telecoms, industrial facilities or large commercial buildings will also be relevant.
• You should have a strong mechanical background and be confident working across cooling systems, chilled water, pipework, pumps, valves, AHUs, FCUs, CRAC / CRAH units and general building services plant.
• Experience with liquid cooling systems would be a major advantage, but strong critical cooling experience will still be considered.
• You’ll need to be comfortable working on a 4 on 4 off, 12‑hour shift pattern.
• A recognised mechanical qualification would be expected, such as NVQ, City & Guilds, apprenticeship or equivalent.
• Experience with permit‑to‑work systems, RAMS, logbooks, PPM systems, compliance records and subcontractor control would be useful.

The right person

You’re reliable, practical and calm under pressure.

You understand that maintenance in a live data centre is different from standard commercial FM. The systems are more critical, the response times matter more and the paperwork needs to be right.

You can work as part of a shift team, follow procedure, communicate clearly and take ownership of your area.

You’ll suit this role if you want a permanent mechanical maintenance position in the data centre sector, with exposure to liquid cooling and critical infrastructure on a live site.

The salary is £50,000 - £60,000, plus 10% shift allowance, bonus, private medical, pension and holiday.