Senior Design Manager
On-siteLondon, England, United Kingdom
Job Summary
Lead design and development for new technology suites, DC buildings, and campuses through RIBA stages and live operational sites. Manage design teams and external consultants to deliver detailed packages, review technical submittals, and challenge design options while minimizing changes. Provide expert advice on MEP, fire, security, and controls to internal teams and vendors, and support operational upgrades and incident resolution. Track design progress, manage workstreams, and collaborate with commercial and project managers to ensure budget and timeline adherence. Attend commissioning activities and handover inspections, ensuring full alignment with customer contracts and Kao Data standards.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in relevant subject (typically mechanical, electrical or building services engineering)
- A professional certification (e.g. CEng, PE) or a Institute Accredited Tier Designer (ATD) certification is desirable
- Deep familiarity with data centre methodologies, standards and certifications (e.g. Uptime Institute, Tier Certification, ASHRAE etc)
- Extensive design/engineering experience in a core discipline
- Demonstrated construction industry project delivery experience
- Extensive design/delivery of multi-MW data centre engineering projects
- Experience in managing, leading and/or mentoring [engineering/design] teams is essential
- In depth knowledge of critical mechanical and/or electrical systems, including power distribution, precision cooling, ventilation, fire systems, and controls is essential
- Good understanding of key data centre infrastructure components including generators, MV/LV switchgear, UPS systems, critical cooling / ventilation systems, and BMS
- Understanding of other disciplines including CSA, fire engineering, security and acoustics
- Experience with the five levels of DC testing including integrated systems testing (L5 IST), and troubleshooting
- Use of Bluebeam, AutoCAD, Navisworks, CDEs etc
- Able to technically manage a design team of all engineering disciplines
- Strong organisational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Understand the fundamentals of project delivery/management so you can support and collaborate with the Kao Data delivery manager
- The Design Manager must be flexible and adaptable, ready to support high-priority projects and tasks, assist colleagues
- Flexible to travel and visit sites for factory acceptance testing, typically within the UK or EU
Desired Qualifications
- A professional certification (e.g. CEng, PE) or a Institute Accredited Tier Designer (ATD) certification is desirable
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