MEP LEAD – DATA CENTRE – UK

Darwin Recruitment; Slough; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Pension scheme

Bonuses

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment seeks an experienced MEP Lead to oversee design, coordination, and execution of MEP systems for state‑of‑the‑art data centre developments at our London site. You will ensure mission‑critical facilities meet safety, reliability, energy efficiency, and scalability standards.

Responsibilities include onsite oversight of MEP lifecycle, technical leadership on power and cooling, and coordination with project teams to maintain schedule and budgets while complying with local UK

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3+ years hands-on experience managing MEP systems within data centre construction or mission-critical environments.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Building Services or related field; UK certifications are a plus.
• Deep understanding of high-availability power systems and advanced cooling architectures.

Responsibilities

• Onsite Project Oversight: manage end-to-end MEP lifecycle from construction to testing and handover from London.
• Technical Leadership: guide power distribution, HVAC, cooling infrastructure, fire suppression, and BMS.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: collaborate with onsite project managers, engineers, architects, and subcontractors to maintain schedule.
• Quality & Compliance: ensure installations meet UK regulatory standards and health and safety protocols.
• Resource & Vendor Management: oversee contractor performance and local resource allocation within budget.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

UPS & generators

Switchgear

Chilled water systems

BMS (Building Management Systems)

Job description

MEP Lead – Data Centre Projects

Location: Onsite, Slough – just outside of London

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 London 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 London 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 London 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 London.