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Senior Design Manager – AI-Focused Data Centres
Location: Kao Data (UK/EU-based, flexible travel) Contract Type: Permanent
Kao Data leads the industry, pioneering the development and operation of AI-optimised data centres through hyperscale-inspired and industrial-scale platforms. We deliver secure, scalable, and sustainable infrastructure for advanced computing, powering the future of cloud and AI.
Design and Construction at Kao Data is the force behind groundbreaking data centre development—where architectural design, structural engineering, modular construction, and BIM (Building Information Modelling) merge to deliver high-performance digital infrastructure at scale. This is a role for technically ambitious professionals who thrive in fast-paced, multidisciplinary environments.
About the Role
Our Design Management team sits at the heart of project delivery, ensuring technical excellence across new-builds and operational sites. As a Senior Design Manager, you’ll lead design direction for new data centre technologies, buildings, and campuses, supporting RIBA-staged projects from concept to operational readiness.
Key to this role is being the single point of contact for projects—bridging internal teams, consultants, vendors, and contractors while mentoring junior design professionals. You’ll also support upgrade initiatives, troubleshoot incidents, and provide technical assurance to operations.
This is a leadership position—shaping cutting-edge data centre solutions for an AI-driven future.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic & Technical Leadership
- Lead design strategy for major projects, ensuring compliance with client and industry standards (e.g., Uptime Institute, Tier Certification, ASHRAE Tiers 3-4).
- Define design and engineering requirements (ERDs, BoDs, scopes) for internal teams, consultants, and contractors.
- Collaborate with operations to align design with lifecycle efficiency, incident response, and sustainability goals.
Design Oversight & Coordination
- Manage core and specialist disciplines (MEP, CSA, fire engineering, controls, security, acoustics) to ensure integrated, high-performance designs.
- Delegate, review, and challenge design teams to optimise for budget, programme, and technical feasibility.
- баллансировать BoD (Business Operations Definitions)—adapt when needed, but monitor deviations for alignment with strategy.
- Drive innovation—stay ahead of new technologies, vendor advancements, and industry best practices (e.g., hyper-efficient cooling, modular data halls).
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Project Delivery & Stakeholder Management
- Track multi-discipline design workstreams, prioritise tasks, and reduce scope creep through change management.
- Support commissioning & handover—oversee L1 (FAT), L4 (Site Acceptance), and L5 (Integrated Systems Testing) activities.
- Interface with commercial & contract teams to ensure cost-efficiency, contractual compliance, and on-time delivery.
- Review designer/consultant fee proposals and contractor tenders, providing technical justification for decisions.
Operational & Business Support
- Consult internally across sales, operations, customer service, H&S/compliance teams, and site development on technical matters.
- Engage in business activities—e.g., funder/insurance audits, marketing collaborations, and cross-functional design reviews.
- Update senior stakeholders with project risks, progress, and key decisions in concise reports.
What We’re Looking For
Essential Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical/electrical engineering (or building services)—or equivalent practical experience.
- Core discipline expertise in critical systems (e.g., power distribution, precision cooling, ventilation, fire suppression, controls) with hyperscale data centre experience.
- Mapping experience with international data centre standards (e.g., Uptime Institute Tier Certifications, ASHRAE Tiers).
- 5–10+ years of construction project delivery, with multi-megawatt data centre design experience.
- Certifications (e.g., CEng (Chartered Engineer), PE, IStructE, Institute ATD) are welcomed but not mandatory.
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Critical Skills & Attributes
- Proven leadership in managing design/engineering teams (or near-equivalent experience in construction).
- Strong technical judgment—able to challenge designs with creative yet pragmatic solutions.
- Mastery of BIM tools (e.g., Bluebeam, AutoCAD, Navisworks, CDEs) and digital workflows.
- Construction experience—comfortable with contractual compliance (e.g., NEC3, FIDIC), tender reviews, and claims management.
- Hands-on troubleshooting—experience with L5 IST failures, system integration issues, and lifecycle upgrades.
- Adaptability—willing to flex for high-priority tasks, site visits (UK/EU), and after-hours support.
Nice-to-Have
- Familiarity with high-density AI/ML workloads and their infrastructure demands.
- Experience with modular/prefabricated data hall solutions.
- Prior exposure to networking/infrastructure services (e.g., AI acceleration, edge computing).
Why Join Kao Data?
Industry Impact
- Be part of the AI data centre revolution—shaping infrastructure that powers the next-era of computation.
Career Growth
- Develop into a senior technical leader with mentoring opportunities and visible project ownership.
- Innovation-driven culture—your ideas could redefine how data centres are built.
Work-Life Balance & Rewards
- 25 days’ holiday + UK bank holidays.
- Private medical (incl. dental/optical), salary sacrifice pension, life assurance, and income protection.
- Enhanced parental leave (extending UK statutory terms).
- 24/7 mental health support via Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
- Unlimited charity volunteering days—give back to causes important to you.
Flexible & Inclusive Environment
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice, optical benefits, and a strong team culture.
- Team-building events to foster connections in a collaborative, inclusive workplace.
Ready to lead the next wave of AI infrastructure?
Apply now to shape the data centres of tomorrow—where design, engineering, and AI converge.
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