Technical Director and Electrical Team Lead (Data Centre)

Aecom2; Manchester; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Aecom is seeking an accomplished Technical Director to lead technical excellence across its Data Centre practice in the UK and internationally. You will guide major hyperscale and colocation projects, shape client relationships, and drive growth with a strategic, commercially aware mindset.

Join a collaborative, multidisciplinary team delivering world‑class mission-critical facilities. Travel to project sites and client meetings is expected as part of the role.

Qualifications

• Must hold Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or equivalent.
• Extensive post-qualification experience in mission-critical facilities or data centres.
• Strong leadership and team development capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Act as technical authority on major hyperscale and colocation data centre projects.
• Lead innovative engineering solutions for resilience, efficiency, sustainability and scalability.
• Provide strategic technical oversight across project stages and ensure quality and standards.
• Lead feasibility studies, design reviews, due diligence, and client advisory work.
• Oversee delivery, commissioning strategies, and operational readiness for clients.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Commercial awareness

Education

Degree in Electrical/Mechanical Building Services or related

Job description

Our Data Centre MEP team comprises a highly skilled network of Associates, Principals, Senior Engineers, Engineers, and Graduates located across our UK offices.

We are a close-knit and collaborative team delivering some of the world's most technically advanced data centre projects. Working alongside multidisciplinary specialists in architecture, civil and structural engineering, project management, cost consultancy, sustainability, environmental services, acoustics, transportation, planning and landscape design, we support global hyperscale and colocation clients at the forefront of digital infrastructure.

We are seeking an accomplished Technical Director to provide technical leadership across our expanding Data Centre practice. This is a strategic role for an industry expert with significant experience in the design and delivery of mission-critical facilities who can drive technical excellence, lead major client relationships, and help shape the growth of our data centre business across the UK and internationally.

The successful candidate will combine deep technical expertise with strong commercial awareness, leadership capability, and a passion for developing teams while delivering innovative solutions for complex mission-critical projects.

Here's What You'll Do

Technical & Project Leadership

• Act as a technical authority across major hyperscale and colocation data centre projects.
• Lead the development of innovative engineering solutions that support resilience, operational efficiency, sustainability, and future scalability.
• Provide strategic technical oversight and governance throughout all project stages, ensuring consistent quality and compliance with industry standards.
• Lead complex feasibility studies, design reviews, technical due diligence exercises, and client advisory commissions.
• Oversee project delivery, commissioning strategies, and operational readiness activities, ensuring successful outcomes for clients and stakeholders.

Client & Market Leadership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to major global data centre clients, contractors, developers, investors, and operators.
• Build and maintain senior-level relationships across key client accounts, identifying opportunities for growth and long-term partnerships.
• Represent the business externally through industry networks, conferences, technical presentations, and thought leadership initiatives.
• Support bids, proposals, and strategic pursuits by providing technical leadership and market Insight.

Team & Business Growth

• Lead, mentor, and develop multidisciplinary engineering teams, fostering a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and innovation.
• Champion knowledge sharing, professional development, and best practice across the wider Data Centre and Building Services teams.
• Support recruitment, succession planning, and capability development initiatives.
• Help shape the strategic direction of the Data Centre practice and contribute to long-term business planning and growth.

Health, Safety & Quality

• Promote a strong Safety, Health & Environmental culture across all projects and teams.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, standards, and company procedures.
• Provide leadership in resolving complex engineering challenges while maintaining the highest levels of quality assurance.

Collaboration

• Work closely with multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated and coordinated design solutions.
• Support the adoption of emerging digital technologies, sustainable design approaches, and innovative engineering solutions within mission-critical environments.
• Travel nationally and occasionally internationally to project sites, client meetings, and offices as required.

What We're Looking For

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Degree qualified in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Building Services Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status through the IET, CIBSE, IMechE, or an equivalent professional institution.
• Extensive post-qualification experience in building services, mission-critical facilities, industrial infrastructure, or data centre engineering.
• Demonstrable experience leading the design and delivery of complex, multidisciplinary engineering projects.
• Strong understanding of data centre infrastructure, resilience strategies, sustainability objectives, and operational requirements.
• Proven track record of leading engineering teams and delivering major programmes for global clients.
• Excellent knowledge of relevant industry regulations, standards, commissioning requirements, and best practice methodologies.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience supporting business development, client engagement, and proposal activities.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.

Desirable Experience

• Significant experience within the data centre sector, particularly hyperscale and colocation environments.
• Experience advising data centre operators, developers, investors, or major contractors.