MEP LEAD - DATA CENTRE - MANCHESTER

Darwin Recruitment; Manchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Private healthcare

Pension

Bonuses

Career growth

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment is seeking an experienced MEP Lead to oversee design, coordination, and execution of MEP systems for advanced data centre developments at our Manchester site.

You will lead onsite operations, ensure safety, energy efficiency, and scalability while coordinating with project teams and subcontractors to meet schedule and budget.

Qualifications

• Experience: 3+ years managing MEP systems in data centre construction or mission-critical environments.
• Bachelor-level degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Building Services or related field (UK certifications are a plus).
• Deep understanding of high-availability power systems (UPS, generators) and advanced cooling architectures.

Responsibilities

• Onsite project oversight from construction through testing, commissioning, and handover at Manchester site.
• Provide technical leadership on critical power distribution, HVAC, cooling infrastructure, fire suppression, and BMS.
• Collaborate daily with project managers, engineers, architects, and subcontractors to align schedule.
• Ensure onsite installations meet UK regulatory standards and health and safety protocols.
• Oversee contractor performance, review submittals, and manage local resources within budget.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Cross-functional coordination

Onsite project oversight

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Building Services degree

Tools

BMS

CRAH/HAC units

UPS

Generators

Job description

MEP Lead - Data Centre Projects

Location: Onsite, Manchester, UK

Job Type: Full-Time

Industry: Data Centre Construction & Engineering

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) Lead to oversee the design, coordination, and execution of MEP systems for state-of-the-art data centre developments at our Manchester site. In this critical leadership role, you will ensure that our mission-critical facilities are built to the highest standards of safety, reliability, energy efficiency, and scalability.

Key Responsibilities

• Onsite Project Oversight: Manage the end-to-end MEP lifecycle directly from our Manchester location, guiding the project from construction through to testing, commissioning, and handover.
• Technical Leadership: Provide expert guidance on critical power distribution, HVAC systems, cooling infrastructure, fire suppression, and building management systems (BMS).
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate daily with onsite project managers, engineers, architects, and subcontractors to eliminate clashes and keep the project schedule on track.
• Quality & Compliance: Ensure all onsite installations strictly adhere to local UK regulatory standards, industry best practices (such as Uptime Institute Tier standards), and stringent health and safety protocols.
• Resource & Vendor Management: Oversee onsite contractor performance, review technical submittals, and manage local resource allocation to deliver the project within budget constraints.

Requirements

• Experience: Minimum of 3+ years of hands-on experience managing MEP systems specifically within data centre construction or mission-critical environments.
• Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Building Services, or a related field (relevant UK certifications are a strong plus).
• Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of high-availability power systems (UPS, generators, switchgear) and advanced cooling architectures (chilled water systems, CRAH/HAC units).
• Location & Availability: Must be able to work permanently onsite in Manchester on a full-time basis.
• Soft Skills: Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities with a proven track record of managing site teams.

What We Offer

• Competitive Salary: Highly competitive base salary commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Private healthcare, pension scheme, and performance-related bonuses.
• Career Growth: Opportunity to anchor high-value, cutting-edge digital infrastructure projects in the heart of Manchester.