Associate Data Centres

Associate Data Centres Overview

This role sits within Arup’s London data centre practice and offers the chance to step into a leadership position in a growing, internationally connected team. The work is focused on mission critical and data centre projects, with opportunities to contribute not only to data centre schemes but also to other critical facility work such as healthcare and TV/film studios. Arup’s delivery model brings architects, engineers and specialist consultants together as one integrated project team, with an emphasis on collaboration, coordination and design that is led by function in highly serviced buildings.

Arup is an employee-owned organisation whose projects are selected to create positive impact. The business highlights a supportive environment for professional growth, access to global expertise, freedom to work with clients who value innovation and collaboration, and investment in training and research through internal funded initiatives. The team works across the UK, Europe, India and Africa, and serves a broad client base including developers, enterprise users, telecoms providers, edge operators, retail and wholesale providers, and hyperscale cloud companies.

What you will do

• Take the lead on coordinating the design of multiple projects, guiding them from the initial client brief through concept and detailed design, and then supporting installation and commissioning.
• Provide technical leadership and design management across multidisciplinary data centre projects.
• Help shape and deliver design packages while strengthening your own management experience.
• Support the growth of junior colleagues through mentoring and development.
• Manage project planning, day-to-day delivery and progress reporting.
• Work with the Project Director to oversee project financial performance.
• Provide discipline leadership within the team.
• Make sure all design outputs and project documents meet the highest standards expected by the business and its clients.
• Prepare clear and accurate project reports.
• Mentor junior and intermediate engineers and help build capability across the group.
• Travel to project sites when needed.
• Represent the team in technical discussions with clients and contractors on subjects such as cooling approaches, resilience, efficiency and commissioning.
• Contribute to business development by attending industry events, presenting at conferences and building relationships with sector partners.

Technical focus and project exposure

• Lead and coordinate design work across a range of data centre schemes.
• Advise on cooling solutions, including chilled water systems.
• Work with PUE and WUE calculations and efficiency improvements.
• Discuss and assess TIER resilience levels and business continuity requirements.
• Support testing and commissioning activities.
• Contribute to wider critical facilities work where relevant, including healthcare and TV/film studio projects.

What the team is like

The data centre group is described as a globally recognised team working at the forefront of the data centre and mission critical sector. It is made up of architects, engineers and specialist consultants who work with some of the largest and most innovative organisations in the market. The London office delivers work across several regions and uses an integrated approach that places all relevant disciplines together to improve coordination and collaboration.

The role is intended for someone who can grow into broader leadership responsibilities over time, including client relationship management and progression toward Associate Director level.

What Arup is looking for

• Experience leading engineering teams on data centre projects through all stages of design and construction.
• Experience representing the design or discipline team in discussions with clients and contractors.
• Knowledge of different cooling strategies, including chilled water systems.
• Ability to work with PUE and WUE calculations and understand efficiency drivers.
• Understanding of TIER resilience levels and business continuity.
• Experience with testing and commissioning.
• An inquisitive approach and a willingness to research new opportunities, methods and technologies that can improve critical systems services.
• Interest in helping develop the data centre business through external engagement, conference speaking and relationship-building with industry partners.
• Confidence taking on leadership responsibilities in a large and expanding team.
• Ability to balance technical delivery, project management and people development responsibilities.

Rewards and benefits

Arup offers a competitive salary and a strong benefits package. Permanent staff receive core benefits funded by the company, including private medical insurance through the UK Healthcare Plan, life assurance, accident insurance and income protection for long-term disability. Employees also have access to choice-based benefits designed to support work-life balance and financial wellbeing.

Permanent employees are also eligible for the Global Profit Share scheme. Subject to the scheme rules, this can result in two profit share payments each year depending on the firm’s financial performance.

Beyond pay and benefits, Arup emphasises career development, access to global collaboration, funded training and research, and opportunities for assignments in many of the countries where it operates.

Inclusion, flexibility and support

Arup says it welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive culture. The company supports accessibility in recruitment and will work with candidates who need reasonable adjustments because of disability. It also notes that flexibility matters and invites applicants to raise their preferences so the team can discuss how working arrangements might be shaped around the role.

Applicants who need assistance during the application or interview process can contact the named recruitment contact for support. Arup also states that its recruitment process is designed to be safe and that it will not request bank details as part of hiring.

How to apply

Applicants should use the online application process for the role. The page notes that the vacancy may close earlier than advertised if a high volume of applications is received, so early application is encouraged. Recruitment agencies are told that only preferred suppliers are used and that speculative CVs or unsolicited introductions will not be accepted.

Degree Requirement: Not Specified

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