Senior / Lead Data Center Engineer (M/F/X)

Kolo; Dronten; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Kolo is seeking an experienced Senior Data Center Engineer to raise operational standards across its Dutch data centers. You will lead technical operations on-site, coach the engineering team, and drive continuous improvement to ensure safe, efficient and reliable facilities.

Reporting to the Operations & Customer Care Manager, you will collaborate with the Facility Manager and coordinate activities across Meppel, Dronten and Apeldoorn, with occasional support at Amsterdam.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience in Mechanical, Electrical or Building Services Engineering (MEP).
• Significant experience in data centers or other critical facilities.
• Proven ability to coach and mentor engineers.
• Strong knowledge of UPS, generators, ATS/STS, PDUs, low‑voltage distribution, cooling systems, fire detection, BMS and DCIM platforms.
• Experience coordinating operations across multiple sites and writing SOPs/EOPs/MOPs.

Responsibilities

• Coach engineers through hands‑on learning and technical guidance.
• Lead technical operations and provide senior guidance during daily activities.
• Coordinate contractors and ensure permits, access and documentation are complete.
• Promote safety and ensure adherence to RAMS and risk assessments.
• Travel between Meppel, Dronten, Apeldoorn and Amsterdam as required; participate in on‑call rotation.

Skills

Coaching engineers

Multisite coordination

Operational leadership

Safety culture

Dutch/English fluency

Education

MEP degree

Tools

UPS

Generators

ATS/STS

PDUs

BMS/DCIM

Job description

Location:Netherlands(multi-sites: Meppel, Dronten, Apeldoorn)

Contract:Full-time / 1-year contract

The Opportunity

We're looking for an experienced, hands‑on Senior Data Center Engineer to help raise operational standards across our Dutch data centers.

This role combines technical expertise with coaching and continuous improvement. As the senior technical presence on site, you'll support the engineering team, drive operational excellence, and ensure our facilities operate safely, efficiently and reliably.

Reporting to the Operations & Customer Care Manager and working closely with the Facility Manager, you'll provide day‑to‑day technical leadership across our Dutch sites.

While this role provides technical leadership, it does not include direct people management responsibilities.

What You'll Do

Coach and Develop the Engineering Team

• Coach engineers through hands‑on learning and technical guidance
• Share best practices and build team capability
• Develop practical training materials and technical documentation
• Support engineers in creating and maintaining operating procedures
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and operational excellence

Lead Technical Operations

• Support planned and reactive maintenance
• Provide senior technical guidance during daily operations
• Act as the technical point of contact for engineers, customers and contractors
• Coordinate and prioritise operational activities across multiple sites
• Ensure work is completed safely, efficiently and to the required quality standards

Drive Operational Excellence

• Create, review and maintain SOPs, EOPs and MOPs
• Standardise operational procedures across sites
• Promote procedural discipline and continuous improvement
• Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date technical documentation

Coordinate Contractors

• Coordinate contractor access and external works
• Review work scopes and supervise activities where required
• Ensure permits, authorisations and documentation are complete
• Verify work quality and close completed activities

Promote Safety and Compliance

• Review RAMS and prepare risk assessments where required
• Support Permit‑to‑Work and isolation processes
• Ensure safe systems of work are followed
• Promote a proactive safety culture

Travel & On‑Call

Regular travel between Meppel, Dronten and Apeldoorn is required, with occasional support at our Amsterdam site.

You'll also participate in a shared on‑call rotation and receive the applicable compensation in line with company policy.

The Perfect Profile Match

Essential

• Degree or equivalent experience in Mechanical, Electrical or Building Services Engineering (MEP)
• Significant experience in data centers or other critical facilities
• Proven ability to coach and mentor engineers
• Strong knowledge of:
  • UPS
  • Generators
  • ATS/STS
  • PDUs
  • Low‑voltage electrical distribution
  • Cooling systems (CRAC, CRAH, chillers, free cooling)
  • Fire detection and suppression systems
  • BMS and DCIM platforms
• Experience coordinating technical operations across multiple sites
• Experience writing and applying SOPs, EOPs and MOPs
• Experience reviewing RAMS and conducting risk assessments
• Experience managing contractors
• Full Category B driving licence
• Fluent Dutch and English

Nice to Have

• VCA VOL
• NEN 3140
• NEN 3840
• Experience creating technical training programmes
• Permit‑to‑Work and LOTO authority
• Knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 27001
• BHV / First Aid certification

Who You Are

• Passionate about coaching and developing others
• Hands‑on and comfortable working in operational environments
• Calm and structured under pressure
• Safety‑focused
• Organised, pragmatic and solution‑oriented
• Collaborative and trusted by colleagues
• Committed to continuous improvement

Why Join Kolo?

Join a fast‑growing international data center platform where you'll help shape engineering standards, develop technical teams and support critical infrastructure across Northern Europe. Your expertise will directly influence how we operate today while helping build the engineering capabilities of tomorrow.