Design Manager

Join Kao Data as a Design Manager – Drive Excellence in AI-Focused Data Centres!

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 our high‑performance digital infrastructure. Our multidisciplinary team integrates 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 that forms part of the overall project delivery team. Our Design Managers are skilled mechanical or electrical engineers whose role is to assist all elements of the business with any technical, design and engineering related assistance.

We are looking for a Design Manager to primarily support new‑build projects through the RIBA stages and also deliver projects on live operational sites. You will be involved in new site selection and the management of design development for new technology suites, DC buildings and campuses.

You will support the operational team with the upgrade and replacement of ageing plant, improvements to existing infrastructure and efficiency upgrades. You will support the operational team when there are problems and/or incidents and provide technical advice as required.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the physical delivery of projects on site including attending design and progress meetings, ensuring designers and contractors work together collaboratively, liaising between the project and operational team, closing RFIs, technical submittal review and closure, supporting the delivery manager with change management etc.
• Managing the design team to deliver an accurate and detailed design package. This will involve reviewing design information, challenging the design team to consider all options and ensuring the design team understands Kao Data’s requirements.
• Determining and understanding the design requirements, as well as the programme and budget. Developing a design strategy to deliver a positive outcome. Minimise, monitor and review design change.
• Supporting business activities such as funder audits, insurance audits, marketing etc.
• Liaising with all elements of the business including operations, compliance, H&S, security and IT.
• Developing the design / engineering brief, employers’ requirements or scope of works in sufficient detail to clearly brief the internal business, the project design team and/or the contractor. The design manager typically relies on external consultants and contractors to undertake the detailed design.
• Working with the Kao Data delivery manager (PM) to set up the project and a project team to deliver the works.
• Working with the project team to set up an efficient and functional BIM / CDE strategy.
• Recognising that commissioning (Cx) is key and so setting up and monitoring a detailed commissioning process – typically via appointed commissioning agents and consultants. Attending key commissioning activities including L1, L4 and L5.
• Supporting the handover process including record information reviews, inspections etc.
• Delivery of new data centre developments on existing and new campuses.
• Support of operational teams with life‑cycle plant replacement / upgrade projects.
• Understanding customer requirements including specific contract requirements.
• Working with the operations team – understanding their requirements, ensuring engagement in projects, supporting with lifecycle projects, problems and incidents etc.
• Collaborating with and managing the output of our consultant design teams. Empowering them, challenging them, understanding the BoD and ensuring the BoD ‘guiderails’ are understood and followed where it suits the brief – tracking BoD deviations where they do not.
• Managing all elements of design – MEP, CSA, controls (EPMS), fire, security and other specialists. Gaining sufficient understanding of non‑core disciplines to be able to ask the right questions and challenge design and construction teams.
• Working with colleagues, consultants, vendors etc to gain technical support / understanding on key issues where required.
• Tracking design progress, prioritising and managing design workstreams and ensuring the design team has all the information they need to deliver a working design.
• Working closely with internal and external PMs and commercial teams to support successful delivery and help ensure projects are on budget and on time.
• Reviewing and providing technical feedback on consultant fee proposals and contractor tenders, variations etc.
• Challenging the design and encouraging VE without impacting the quality of the product.
• On live campuses, liaising between the project and operational teams to ensure the successful integration of new works to existing infrastructure without impacting existing customers.
• Speaking regularly with product vendors to understand how their technologies work and any incoming innovations; looking out for new technologies and staying aware of industry innovations.
• Considering and recommending infrastructure improvements.
• Providing technical support to all parts of the business – sales, operations, customer team, site development, H&S, security, compliance etc.
• Providing internal reporting to ensure senior levels of the team and business understand project progress, risks and have the information they need to make key decisions.
• Ensuring the design documentation is clear, accurate, functional, buildable and operable.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject (typically mechanical, electrical or building services engineering) is required.
• Achieved or working towards professional certification (e.g. CEng, PE).
• Uptime Institute Accredited Tier Designer (ATD) certification is desirable.
• Familiarity with data centre methodologies, standards and certifications (e.g. Uptime Institute, Tier Certification, ASHRAE etc).
• Extensive experience in design consultancy, design management and contractor design management experience.
• Demonstrated construction industry project delivery experience.
• Experience in design/delivery of data centre engineering or similar mission‑critical environments (e.g. pharmaceuticals, heavy industry etc.) is desirable.
• Experience in designing and delivering multi‑MW data centre critical infrastructure is desirable.
• Knowledge of mechanical and/or electrical systems, including power distribution, precision cooling, ventilation, fire systems and controls is essential.
• Familiarity with key data centre infrastructure components including generators, MV/LV switchgear, UPS systems, critical cooling/ventilation systems and BMS is essential. Understanding of other disciplines such as CSA, fire engineering, security, acoustics etc.
• Experience with commissioning and testing of MEP systems is desirable.
• Use of Bluebeam, AutoCAD, Navisworks, CDEs etc.
• Ability to technically manage a design team of all engineering disciplines.
• Strong organisational and time‑management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Understanding of the basics of project delivery/management so you can support and collaborate with the Kao Data delivery manager.
• Flexible to travel and visit sites for factory acceptance testing, typically within the UK or EU.

Why Kao Data?

• Be part of an innovative and rapidly growing AI data centre leader.
• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
• Work in a dynamic and collaborative environment.
• Engaging team events that strengthen workplace culture and connections.
• Private Medical – private health insurance including dental and optical cover.
• Holiday – 25 days annual leave plus UK Bank Holidays.
• Pension – Salary Sacrifice Pension.
• Parental Leave – Enhanced Maternity and Paternity leave.
• Life Assurance & Income Protection.
• Mental health support – 24/7 access to mental health support via our employee assistance programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders.
• Giving back – 2 Charity volunteering days a year.
• Electric Vehicle – Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
• Optical Benefit.
• Access to Unum’s Help@Hand.

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