Associate Director - Electrical (Data Centres)

About the role

Lead one of ZeroOne's structured electrical engineering teams in delivering a diverse portfolio of Data Centre projects throughout Europe, through various RIBA stages (0-6) for our hyperscale, colocation, D&B, and GC clients. As Associate Electrical Director you will be the electrical design authority on our some of our largest projects, owning power architecture from grid to rack for your teams associated projects, leading and growing your team of electrical engineers across our Core & Flex network, and working alongside the founding Directors to win work, shape our technical standards and build the business.

Location

Dublin-based with a flexible hybrid model, and travel to client offices and project sites across Europe as required. Locations include Ireland, the UK, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Portugal and the Nordics.

Reporting line

Reports to COO. Leads the Electrical team (Principal, Senior Project, Project and Graduate Engineers) and Flex specialists assigned to projects.

Key Responsibilities

1) Electrical Design Authority & Technical Leadership

• Act as the electrical design authority on major projects, owning the electrical design from site due diligence and feasibility through concept, scheme, detailed design, tender, construction support and handover.
• Define and validate power architectures, including HV/MV utility intake and substation interfaces, MV/LV distribution, UPS topologies (block, distributed and catcher redundant), standby generation, BESS, STS, busway, PDUs/RPPs, earthing and lightning protection.
• Lead and sign off power systems studies (load flow, short circuit, protection coordination, arc flash, harmonics, transient and generator step-load) using ETAP, SKM or equivalent.
• Set and maintain the ZeroOne electrical design standards, templates, specifications and calculation methods; lead peer review and technical assurance on all electrical deliverables.
• Lead the electrical response to AI and high-density workloads, including liquid-cooled rack power distribution, higher-voltage distribution, large step-load behaviour and power quality.

2) Project Delivery & Commercial Management

• Lead the electrical workstream on multiple concurrent projects, including fast-track, multi-phase and design-build programmes.
• Own electrical fee proposals, resource plans, programmes and project financials; manage scope change and variations.
• Support the construction phase through submittal and shop drawing review, site inspections, RFI resolution and witness of Level 3–5 commissioning, including Integrated Systems Testing (IST).

3) Client Leadership & Business Development

• Be the senior electrical point of contact for hyperscale, colocation and developer clients, and build long-term trusted relationships.
• Lead the electrical input to bids, proposals, interviews and client presentations; identify and convert new opportunities.
• Represent ZeroOne externally at industry events, technical forums and publications.

4) People Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead, mentor and develop the electrical team; manage performance, training needs and career progression, including routes to Chartership.
• Recruit and integrate Core team engineers and Flex specialists, ensuring consistent quality and ways of working.
• Contribute to ZeroOne's management team, strategy and continuous improvement.

5) Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure designs comply with IEC 60364, national wiring rules (e.g. I.S. 10101, BS 7671, VDE, NEN 1010), EN 50600, Uptime Institute Tier and client governance standards.
• Discharge designer duties under construction health and safety regulations (e.g. PSDP/Designer duties in Ireland, CDM 2015 in the UK) and promote safe-by-design solutions.
• Lead root cause and lessons-learned reviews and embed outcomes in ZeroOne standards.

About You

• Degree in Electrical or Building Services Engineering (BEng/MEng or equivalent).
• 12+ years' electrical design experience in a consultancy or design-and-build environment, including 5+ years as lead electrical engineer on data centre or mission-critical projects.
• Proven track record leading the electrical design of large hyperscale or colocation campuses (typically 50-500MW IT load).
• In-depth knowledge of MV/LV distribution, critical power systems, protection and power systems analysis.
• Experience leading and developing engineering teams and managing project fees and resources.
• Client-facing experience with a record of contributing to winning work.
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English.

Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in the European Union and be able to provide evidence of their work authorization if requested.

Preferred

• Chartered Engineer (Engineers Ireland, IET or equivalent)
• Experience with AI/high-density data centre design, liquid cooling power infrastructure or BESS.
• Experience working in AE/EoR delivery models and with standardised hyperscale templates.
• Experience working in live operational data centres (brownfield upgrades, capacity unlocks)

Certifications (nice to have)

• CDCP/CDCS or Uptime Accredited Tier Designer (ATD)

Package & Benefits

• Competitive salary, reflective of seniority and market benchmarks
• Performance-related bonus and a clear path to Director
• Pension contribution and private healthcare
• Hybrid/flexible working model
• Direct working relationship with ZeroOne's Executive Directors
• Funded professional development and memberships (Engineers Ireland, IET, CIBSE)
• Travel and expenses covered for client and site visits across Europe

About ZeroOne

ZeroOne is a specialist MEP Design Solutions Company focused exclusively on the European Data Centre sector. Founded by industry leaders who have collectively delivered over 2GW of Data Centre capacity across the EMEA region, we combine deep technical expertise with an agile, client-focused approach. We are headquartered in Dublin and have a simple mission: to be the benchmark and most trusted name in MEP Design Solutions in the European Data Centre industry by delivering exceptional, sustainable, and highly efficient designs.

Our innovative Core & Flex delivery model combines a highly experienced Ireland-based core team with a scalable network of specialist engineering professionals across the industry. This approach allows us to deliver technical excellence, remain responsive to client needs, and support some of the industry's most demanding projects.

At ZeroOne, we are building a culture centred on Technical Excellence, Agility, Client Partnership, and One Team Collaboration, creating an environment where talented engineers can make a real impact.

Why Join ZeroOne?

1. Lead, Not Just Deliver

This is a leadership seat in a growing consultancy. You will set the electrical direction of the business, build your own team and sit alongside the founding Directors in shaping strategy.

2. Shape the Future of a Growing Business

Join at an exciting stage of our journey and play a meaningful role in building a next-generation consultancy. Your ideas, expertise, and contributions will directly influence our success.

3. Work on Market-Leading Data Centre Projects

Lead the delivery of cutting-edge projects for major colocation and hyperscale clients across Europe, helping to shape the digital infrastructure of tomorrow.

4. Enjoy Genuine Flexibility with Competitive Remuneration

Our business is designed around modern working practices, offering a flexible hybrid model that promotes autonomy, collaboration, and work-life balance.

5. Be Part of a High-Performance, People-First Culture

Join a team that values trust, accountability, inclusion, and teamwork. We celebrate individual contributions, support personal growth, and succeed together as one team.