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Design Manager
Design Manager - AI-Focused Data Centres (Join Kao Data!)
Kao Data leads the industry, pioneering the development and operation of data centres engineered for AI and advanced computing. With a hyperscale-inspired and industrial-scale platform, we provide our customers with a secure, scalable, and sustainable home for their compute.
Design and Construction at Kao Data is the engine behind high-performance digital infrastructure. Multidisciplinary teams integrate architectural design, structural engineering, and advanced construction methodologies to deliver hyperscale data centres with precision and speed. Leveraging BIM, modular construction, and sustainable design principles, we optimise every phase—from concept to commissioning. It’s a dynamic environment for professionals who thrive on technical complexity, innovation, and delivering mission-critical facilities that power the future of AI and cloud computing.
About The Role
Kao Data has an in-house design management team, forming part of the overall project delivery team. Our Design Managers are skilled mechanical or electrical engineers responsible for assisting all business elements with technical, design, and engineering support.
We are looking for a Design Manager to:
- Support new-build projects through RIBA stages
- Deliver projects on live operational sites
- Assist in new site selection and design development for technology suites, DC buildings, and campuses
- Support operational teams with upgrades, replacements, and efficiency improvements
- Provide technical advice during incidents or problems
Key Responsibilities
Project Delivery & Collaboration
- Support physical delivery of projects on-site, including:
- Attending design and progress meetings
- Ensuring designers and contractors collaborate effectively
- Liaising between project and operational teams
- Closure of RFIs (Requests For Information)
- Technical submittal review and closure
- Assisting the delivery manager with change control
- Manage the design team to deliver accurate, detailed design packages, including:
- Reviewing design information
- Challenging design team options to meet Kao Data’s requirements
- Ensuring design accuracy and feasibility
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Strategic & Operational Support
- Determine design requirements, programme, and budget
- Develop a design strategy for positive outcomes
- Minimise, monitor, and review design changes
- Support business activities (e.g., funder audits, insurance audits, marketing)
- Liaise with operations, compliance, H&S, security, and IT teams
Design & Engineering Leadership
- Develop design/engineering briefs, employers’ requirements, or scopes of work
- Work with the Kao Data delivery manager (PM) to set up projects and teams
- Establish an efficient BIM/CDE strategy
- Ensure commissioning processes (L1, L4, L5) are monitored
- Support handover process (record reviews, inspections)
- Manage new data centre developments on existing and new campuses
- Assist operational teams with life cycle plant replacements/upgrades
Technical & Cross-Functional Expertise
- Understand customer requirements (including contractual obligations)
- Collaborate with operations to align projects with existing infrastructure
- Manage consultant design teams, ensuring they adhere to BoD (brief guidelines)
- Oversee MEP, CSA, controls (EPMS), fire, security, and other specialist disciplines
- Track design progress, prioritise workstreams, and ensure information flow
- Review consultant fee proposals and contractor tenders
- Challenge designs to drive Value Engineering (VE) without compromising quality
- Integrate new works into live campuses without disrupting existing operations
- Leverage vendor insights for technological advancements and innovations
- Recommend infrastructure improvements
- Provide technical support to sales, operations, customer teams, site development, security, and compliance
Reporting & Cross-Business Engagement
- Provide internal reporting on project progress, risks, and decision-making support
- Ensure design documentation is clear, accurate, functional, buildable, and operable
What We’re Looking For
Essential Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, or building services engineering
- Professional certification (e.g., CEng, PE) preferred or in progress
- Uptime Institute Accredited Tier Designer (ATD) certification (desirable)
- Knowledge of data centre standards (Uptime Institute, Tier Certification, ASHRAE)
- Extensive experience in design consultancy, design management, or contractor design management
- Demonstrable construction industry project delivery experience
- Experience in designing/delivering AI data centres or mission-critical infrastructure (e.g., pharmaceuticals, heavy industry)
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Technical & Domain-Specific Expertise
- Deep knowledge of MEP systems, including:
- Power distribution, precision cooling, ventilation, fire systems, and controls
- Experience with generators, MV/LV switchgear, UPS systems, critical cooling/ventilation, and BMS
- Understanding of non-core disciplines (CSA, fire engineering, security, acoustics)
- Familiarity with commissioning/testing of MEP systems (desirable)
- Proficiency in Bluebeam, AutoCAD, Navisworks, CDE management tools
Soft Skills & Leadership
- Ability to technically manage diverse engineering teams
- Strong organisational skills and multitasking for concurrent projects
- Understanding of project delivery/management fundamentals
- Flexibility for travel (UK or EU) for factory acceptance testing (FAT)
Why Kao Data?
- Drive innovation as part of AI data centre leadership
- Professional growth and leadership development
- Dynamic, collaborative work culture
- Team-building events for connection and engagement
- Employee benefits:
- Private Medical Insurance (dental & optical coverage)
- 25 days paid leave + UK Bank Holidays
- Salary Sacrifice Pension
- Enhanced Parental Leave (maternity/paternity)
- Life Assurance & Income Protection
- Mental Health Support (24/7 EAP & Mental Health First Aiders)
- 2 Charity Volunteering Days/Year
- Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme
- Optical Benefits
- Access to Unum’s Help@Hand resources
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