Senior Electrical Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Electrical Design Manager

Company: STACK Infrastructure EMEA

Location: London, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Engineering & Design (Data Center Operations Infrastructure)

Date Posted: 2026-09-15

Experience Level: Senior (10+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Act as the senior electrical technical authority for STACK's EMEA Design & Engineering function, defining and refining electrical engineering standards for mission-critical data center developments.

• Shape the electrical resilience, capacity modeling, grid interface strategy, and power distribution architecture for hyperscale environments across Europe.

• Ensure consistent delivery of the European Reference Design by governing electrical standards, validating capacity assumptions, and providing senior technical oversight at design stage gates.

• Drive future-ready thinking in electrical design, including higher rack densities, AI-driven load profiles, liquid cooling, and energy efficiency advancements.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Senior Electrical Design Manager," the responsibilities and context provided firmly place this role within the broader scope of Data Center Infrastructure Design and Engineering, with a strong emphasis on electrical systems. The "remote" status is interpreted as "Hybrid" due to the nature of managing complex, physical infrastructure projects which typically require on-site presence for reviews, site visits, and team collaboration, even if the primary role is design-focused. The experience level is inferred from "Significant experience" and the "Senior Manager" title.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own and maintain the electrical architecture within STACK's European Reference Design, encompassing utility interface, HV/LV configuration, generator strategy, UPS architecture, and modular power building block standards.

• Define and govern electrical resilience models, ensuring power distribution standards are scalable, consistent, and aligned with customer, operational, and investment requirements.

• Validate capacity modelling assumptions, including MVA to MW IT conversion, load growth, diversity assumptions, and partial versus full build-out scenarios.

• Provide senior technical oversight at design stage gates, reviewing and challenging consultant designs for compliance, resilience integrity, constructability, maintainability, and client requirements.

• Shape platform-level grid and infrastructure strategy, including utility connection configuration, on-site substations, dual-feed resilience positioning, generator capacity, and autonomy assumptions.

• Support technical due diligence and early feasibility activities by assessing power availability, infrastructure risks, and abnormal assumptions prior to underwriting or investment decisions.

• Approve structured deviations from electrical standards and lead peer reviews for high-risk or high-complexity schemes across the EMEA portfolio.

• Develop the roadmap for future electrical requirements, including higher rack densities, AI-driven load profiles, liquid cooling implications, energy efficiency evolution, and alternative generation technologies where relevant.

• Partner with commercial, development, delivery, and engineering teams to evaluate CapEx drivers, specification changes, yield opportunities, and investor-level technical risk.

• Develop and maintain electrical engineering standards, technical guidance, Basis of Design inputs, QA checklists, and peer review frameworks, ensuring consistency across regions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities are heavily focused on defining, governing, and assuring the quality of electrical design for large-scale data center projects. This aligns with a Senior Technical Lead or Principal Engineer role within a specialized infrastructure design function, rather than a direct people management role, although leadership and mentoring are expected. The emphasis on "European Reference Design" and "multi-region programmes" highlights the need for standardization and strategic oversight.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Degree or equivalent experience in Electrical Engineering or a closely related discipline.

• Chartered Engineer status, or demonstrable progress towards chartership, is preferred. Experience:

• Significant experience in mission-critical, hyperscale data centre environments, or similarly complex electrical infrastructure projects.

• Proven track record in defining and governing engineering standards and technical frameworks.

• Experience working with developer, hyperscale, investor-backed, or large-scale infrastructure platforms is highly advantageous. Required Skills:

• Deep technical expertise across MV/LV distribution systems, generator and UPS topology, resilience strategy, capacity modelling, and grid connection processes.

• Strong understanding of electrical design trade-offs, including resilience, scalability, energy performance, constructability, maintainability, and commercial optimization.

• Confidence in reviewing complex consultant designs, challenging assumptions, and translating technical risk into clear recommendations for senior stakeholders.

• A governance-led approach to standards, documentation, version control, QA, and structured decision-making across multi-region programmes.

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to align technical, commercial, delivery, operations, and investment teams.

• Collaborative leadership style, with the ability to mentor others, promote technical excellence, and support continuous improvement across design practices. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with emerging data center technologies such as liquid cooling and advanced power management systems.

• Familiarity with international electrical codes and standards relevant to data center design.

• Proficiency in capacity planning and load forecasting for high-density computing environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize deep technical expertise in data center electrical systems and a strategic, governance-focused approach. The "Senior Manager" title in this context likely refers to seniority in technical leadership and strategic influence rather than direct line management of a large team, though mentoring is expected. "Significant experience" is interpreted as 10+ years in relevant environments, aligning with the AI-inferred experience level.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a portfolio of complex electrical design projects, with a focus on hyperscale data centers or equivalent critical infrastructure.

• Showcase examples of established and governed electrical engineering standards, QA checklists, or Basis of Design documents.

• Include case studies highlighting technical due diligence, risk assessment, and the translation of technical challenges into actionable recommendations for stakeholders.

• Provide evidence of contributions to capacity modeling, resilience strategy development, and grid connection strategies for large-scale power infrastructure. Process Documentation:

• Evidence of developing and maintaining technical guidance, engineering standards, and peer review frameworks.

• Examples of implementing a governance-led approach to design reviews, deviation approvals, and structured decision-making.

• Demonstrate experience in process optimization for electrical design, ensuring scalability, consistency, and alignment with business objectives across multiple regions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role of this seniority and technical focus, a robust portfolio is crucial. It should highlight not just technical execution but also strategic thinking, governance, standardization, and risk management. The emphasis is on demonstrating the ability to influence and set standards across a broad portfolio.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• £90,000 - £130,000 per annum, dependent on experience and qualifications. Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package.

• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.

• Pension scheme with employer contributions.

• Opportunities for professional development and further education.

• Generous annual leave allowance.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses. Working Hours:

• Standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility expected for project deadlines and critical reviews. Some out-of-hours availability may be required for urgent technical consultations or site issues.

📝 Enhancement Note: A salary range of £90,000 - £130,000 is estimated for a Senior Electrical Design Manager in London, UK, with 10+ years of specialized experience in data center infrastructure. This range reflects the high demand for expert technical leadership in this critical sector and the cost of living in London. Benefits are standard for senior roles in large corporations, with a focus on professional growth and well-being. The working hours are based on typical full-time expectations for senior technical roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Infrastructure (Data Centers)

• STACK Infrastructure operates in the rapidly expanding global data center market, a critical component of the digital economy. The company focuses on providing scalable, reliable, and sustainable digital infrastructure solutions for hyperscale clients. This industry demands precision, innovation, and a strong focus on operational excellence and risk management.

Company Size: 201-500 employees (estimated based on LinkedIn data for STACK Infrastructure EMEA)

• A company of this size typically offers a balance between the agility of a growing organization and the structure required for large-scale, complex projects. This means opportunities for significant individual impact and influence, alongside established processes and cross-functional collaboration.

Founded: 2019 (STACK Infrastructure globally)

• As a relatively young but rapidly growing company, STACK is likely to foster a dynamic, forward-thinking culture. The emphasis on building out a European platform suggests a focus on rapid development, strategic expansion, and embracing new technologies and methodologies. Team Structure:

• The role sits within the EMEA Design & Engineering function, acting as a senior technical authority.

• This function likely collaborates closely with Commercial, Development, Delivery, and Operations teams across various European regions.

• The structure emphasizes cross-functional partnership to ensure technical designs meet commercial viability, development timelines, and operational requirements. Methodology:

• A governance-led approach to defining and maintaining electrical engineering standards.

• Emphasis on data-driven decision-making through capacity modeling and technical due diligence.

• Focus on continuous improvement and future-proofing electrical infrastructure to meet evolving demands (e.g., AI, liquid cooling).

• Collaboration and peer review are integral to ensuring design integrity and consistency.

Company Website: https://www.stackinfra.com/

Careers Page: https://www.stackinfra.com/about/careers

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context emphasizes STACK's position as a major player in the data center infrastructure market, highlighting the critical nature of the electrical design function. The company's relatively recent founding and rapid growth suggest an environment that values innovation and strategic development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Technical Leadership

• This role represents a senior position within the technical design and engineering domain, focusing on electrical infrastructure for data centers. It requires deep subject matter expertise and the ability to influence strategic decisions at a platform level. The scope extends beyond individual project design to setting standards and roadmaps for an entire region. Reporting Structure:

• Likely reports to a Director or VP of Design & Engineering within the EMEA region.

• Will work closely with project managers, development leads, and other engineering discipline leads (e.g., mechanical, structural).

• Expected to provide guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and design consultants. Operations Impact:

• Directly influences the reliability, scalability, and efficiency of STACK's data center operations across EMEA.

• Impacts CAPEX and OPEX through optimized design choices, resilience strategies, and energy performance.

• Plays a key role in technical risk assessment for investment and development decisions.

• Ensures STACK's electrical infrastructure meets the stringent requirements of hyperscale clients. Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in cutting-edge data center electrical technologies, becoming a recognized authority.

• Strategic Influence: Progress to higher levels of strategic planning, potentially influencing global design standards or leading larger engineering functions.

• Leadership Development: Transition into broader leadership roles overseeing multiple engineering disciplines or regional engineering operations.

• Industry Engagement: Represent STACK at industry forums, contributing to the evolution of data center electrical design best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth trajectory for this role is clearly defined within technical leadership and strategic influence in the data center infrastructure sector. It's an opportunity to shape the future of a rapidly growing company's core infrastructure.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid Work Model

• The role is based in London, UK, with a hybrid work arrangement. This typically means a combination of remote work and in-office presence, allowing for flexibility while ensuring necessary collaboration and site engagement.

Office Location(s): London, United Kingdom

• The London office will serve as the primary base, offering access to a major business hub and potential for collaboration with various STACK teams. Workspace Context:

• The workspace will be a blend of remote setup for design work, documentation, and virtual meetings, and on-site presence for critical design reviews, potential site visits to data center facilities or consultant offices, and team collaboration sessions.

• Access to relevant design software, project management tools, and internal knowledge bases will be provided.

• Opportunities for interaction with a global team of engineering and operations professionals, fostering knowledge sharing and best practice exchange. Work Schedule:

• Standard business hours (e.g., 9 AM - 5 PM London time) are expected, with flexibility. Given the global nature of data center development and the criticality of infrastructure, occasional availability outside standard hours for urgent consultations or cross-time-zone meetings may be necessary.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is a key aspect, balancing the need for deep, focused design work with essential in-person collaboration and oversight required for physical infrastructure projects.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and application to assess alignment with core requirements, particularly experience in hyperscale data centers and electrical design expertise.

• Technical Interview(s): In-depth discussion of electrical design principles, resilience strategies, capacity modeling, and experience with MV/LV systems, UPS, and generators. Expect scenario-based questions and problem-solving challenges.

• Portfolio Review: Presentation and discussion of relevant past projects, highlighting contributions to design standards, governance, and technical decision-making. Focus on demonstrating strategic impact and leadership.

• Stakeholder/Cultural Fit Interview: Conversation with hiring managers and potential cross-functional collaborators to assess leadership style, communication skills, and alignment with STACK's values and collaborative approach.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss strategic vision and long-term fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate examples that showcase your ability to define and govern electrical standards, not just design individual systems.

• Prepare detailed case studies on projects where you significantly influenced design outcomes, managed technical risk, or improved efficiency/resilience.

• Quantify your impact wherever possible (e.g., "reduced CAPEX by X%", "improved system availability to Y%", "standardized design across Z projects").

• Be ready to discuss your approach to technical due diligence, capacity modeling assumptions, and grid interface strategies.

• Highlight any experience in developing roadmaps for future technologies (e.g., AI loads, liquid cooling). Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for case studies involving complex electrical design scenarios, risk assessment, or the development of new engineering standards.

• Practice articulating technical concepts clearly and concisely, translating complex electrical engineering into business impact for non-technical stakeholders.

• Consider how you would approach standardizing electrical designs across multiple European regions with varying utility infrastructures and regulations.

• Think about how you would balance technical excellence with commercial constraints and project timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to thoroughly assess both deep technical expertise and strategic leadership capabilities. A strong portfolio demonstrating governance and standards development is critical.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Electrical Design Software: Proficiency with industry-standard CAD and BIM software (e.g., AutoCAD Electrical, Revit MEP, Bentley Systems) for reviewing and understanding complex designs.

• Simulation & Analysis Tools: Familiarity with software for power system analysis, load flow calculations, and resilience modeling (e.g., ETAP, PSS/E, or similar).

• Project Management Software: Experience with platforms for managing project workflows, timelines, and documentation (e.g., MS Project, Jira, Asana).

• Collaboration Platforms: Expertise in using tools for virtual meetings, document sharing, and team communication (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Ability to interpret data from capacity modeling, energy consumption reports, and system performance metrics.

• Reporting Tools: Experience in generating clear, concise technical reports for senior management and stakeholders, summarizing findings from design reviews and due diligence.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how design specifications integrate with project development and operational systems is beneficial. Familiarity with system integration concepts for infrastructure projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis is on tools used for design review, analysis, and project governance rather than direct design creation. The candidate needs to be adept at interpreting complex technical data and communicating it effectively.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Technical Excellence: A commitment to the highest standards of electrical engineering and design integrity.

• Reliability & Resilience: Prioritizing the uptime and robustness of critical data center infrastructure.

• Innovation & Future-Forward Thinking: Proactively exploring and integrating new technologies and methodologies to meet future demands.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Working effectively across diverse teams (commercial, development, delivery, operations) to achieve common goals.

• Efficiency & Optimization: Balancing technical requirements with commercial viability and operational efficiency.

• Governance & Standardization: Adhering to and developing robust standards to ensure consistency and quality across the portfolio.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively engaging with commercial, development, and operations teams to ensure designs are commercially viable, deliverable, and operationally sound.

• Technical Leadership: Providing clear, decisive technical guidance and challenging assumptions constructively.

• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: Fostering a culture of continuous learning and skill development within the engineering function.

• Data-Driven Discussions: Basing recommendations and decisions on thorough analysis and validated data.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture and values point towards a high-performance environment that values technical rigor, collaboration, and strategic thinking, essential for building complex, mission-critical infrastructure.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Standardization Across Regions: Harmonizing electrical design standards across diverse European markets with varying utility infrastructures, regulations, and local practices.

• Evolving Technology Demands: Keeping pace with rapidly increasing power densities driven by AI and HPC, and incorporating new cooling technologies (e.g., liquid cooling) into the electrical design framework.

• Grid Integration Complexity: Navigating complex and often lengthy utility connection processes for large-scale power demands across different countries.

• Balancing CAPEX vs. OPEX: Making design decisions that optimize both initial capital expenditure and long-term operational efficiency and reliability.

• Technical Due Diligence: Accurately assessing power availability and infrastructure risks for new sites under tight deadlines to inform investment decisions.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Data Center Technologies: Gaining deep exposure to the practical application of cutting-edge power solutions for AI/ML workloads and advanced cooling methods.

• Global Infrastructure Strategy: Contributing to the strategic direction of data center development for a rapidly expanding international company.

• Cross-Disciplinary Knowledge: Expanding understanding of mechanical, civil, and IT infrastructure aspects of data center design through collaboration.

• Leadership and Governance: Developing skills in setting and enforcing technical standards, managing stakeholder expectations, and leading technical initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior roles in global infrastructure development, requiring strategic problem-solving and adaptability. The growth opportunities are substantial for an individual looking to make a significant impact in a high-growth sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to developing and governing electrical engineering standards for a multi-region data center portfolio. How would you ensure consistency and compliance?"

  • Preparation: Focus on governance frameworks, documentation control, peer review processes, and adapting standards to local nuances while maintaining core principles.

• "Walk us through a time you had to challenge a consultant's electrical design. What was the issue, how did you address it, and what was the outcome?"

  • Preparation: Prepare a STAR method example that highlights your technical scrutiny, communication skills, and ability to drive to a better technical solution.

• "How do you approach capacity modeling for hyperscale data centers, considering factors like IT load growth, diversity, and future AI/ML demands?"

  • Preparation: Detail your methodology, including key metrics, assumptions, and how you validate these models. Discuss considerations for future technologies. Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you see as the biggest electrical design challenges for data centers in EMEA over the next 5-10 years, and how should STACK prepare for them?"

  • Preparation: Research STACK's current focus and industry trends (e.g., sustainability, grid constraints, AI). Align your answer with STACK's strategic goals.

• "How would you foster collaboration between the design engineering team and the development, delivery, and operations teams to ensure seamless project execution?"

  • Preparation: Emphasize communication, early engagement, shared understanding of objectives, and feedback loops.

• "How do you measure the success of your electrical design standards and strategies beyond just technical compliance?"

  • Preparation: Discuss metrics related to CAPEX/OPEX efficiency, reliability, scalability, energy performance, and client satisfaction. Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Governance: Highlight examples where you established or significantly improved engineering standards, QA processes, or technical governance frameworks.

• Quantify Impact: Use data to demonstrate the value of your contributions – e.g., cost savings, improved uptime, reduced design cycles, successful grid connections.

• Strategic Vision: Discuss your role in defining the "European Reference Design" and how you anticipate future electrical needs impacting this.

• Problem/Solution/Result: Structure case studies clearly, emphasizing the technical challenges, your innovative solutions, and the tangible results achieved.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Be prepared to discuss how you communicated complex technical information to diverse audiences (engineers, commercial teams, senior leadership).

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice is tailored to assess the candidate's strategic thinking, technical depth, and ability to influence and lead within a complex, global organization.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Electrical Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight experience in hyperscale data center electrical design, technical governance, standards development, and cross-functional collaboration. Select 2-3 key projects that best demonstrate your expertise in these areas for potential discussion.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your experience with MV/LV systems, UPS, generators, resilience strategy, capacity modeling, and grid connections. Use keywords from the job description and quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice answering technical questions related to data center electrical systems and scenario-based questions on challenges and stakeholder management. Prepare a concise overview of your most relevant projects for portfolio review.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with STACK Infrastructure's global operations, European presence, and recent projects. Understand their approach to sustainability and digital infrastructure development.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.