Where the Work Is: Data Centre Engineer Jobs

Data centre engineers are in high demand across Europe—and the market isn’t slowing down any time soon. As AI, cloud services, and digital infrastructure continue to accelerate, companies are investing in new facilities, expanding existing ones, and urgently seeking skilled professionals to keep operations running smoothly. 

For experienced engineers, this presents a real opportunity—not just for job security, but for long-term career growth, salary progression, and exciting work across Europe. 

The key? Knowing where the work is and what employers are really looking for. 

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Contents

1. Top 5 established hotspots in Europe
2. Top 5 up-and-coming hotspots in Europe
3. Data centre engineer salary
4. Data centre engineer career progression
5. How to take advantage of the opportunity

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Top 5 established hotspots in Europe

These locations have been leading the charge in data centre construction and continue to offer stable, high-volume opportunities. This ranking, established by Cushman & Wakefield, takes into account factors such as power availability, renewable energy usage, and capacity under construction, amongst many other factors.

1. London

As the UK’s largest data centre hub, London (including Slough) has a high density of colocation sites and strong investment. 

2. Frankfurt

As the UK’s largest data centre hub, London (including Slough) has a high density of colocation sites and strong investment. 

3. Amsterdam

With growth returning after the data centre moratorium, demand is picking back up in the Netherlands. 

4. Paris

Paris is experiencing consistent growth driven by cloud computing and, of course, artificial intelligence. 

5. Madrid

Spain’s capital is fast becoming a southern European hotspot with hyperscale developments and increased co-location demand.

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Top 5 up-and-coming hotspots in Europe

These cities are gaining momentum as data centre operators look for locations with easier access to power and water. Those looking for data centre engineer jobs could consider emerging markets like these.

1. Berlin

Berlin ranks in the top ten regions globally when it comes to under construction pre-leased rate, and environmental risk. This means that a high proportion of data centre developments are already pre-leased before completion, signalling strong demand and investor confidence. Berlin also benefits from its proximity to Frankfurt while offering comparatively lower land and energy costs, making it a rising star in the German data centre market.

2. Helsinki

Helsinki’s cold climate significantly reduces the need for artificial cooling, cutting operational costs and emissions. With access to abundant renewable energy sources like hydro and wind power, Helsinki is quickly becoming a model location for green data centre growth in the Nordics.

3. Zurich

Zurich ranks in the top ten regions globally for political stability and fibre connectivity. Switzerland’s neutrality, robust legal system, and secure economic environment make Zurich a trusted location for data centre investments. In addition, its strong fibre network ensures low-latency connections across Europe.

4. Munich

Munich ranks in the top ten regions globally for vacancy percentage – a sign that there is available capacity for immediate deployment. This presents opportunities for companies needing rapid scalability without the long lead times associated with new builds.

5. Oslo

Oslo ranks in the top ten regions globally for environmental risk and renewable power generation. Norway’s vast hydroelectric capacity allows data centres in Oslo to run on nearly 100% renewable energy, appealing to operators with ambitious ESG targets. 

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Data centre engineer salary

Here’s what you can expect in terms of salary and progression as a data centre engineer:  

• Shift engineer £54,643 

• Day engineer £60,417 

• Shift lead £61,333 

• Technical manager £76,538 

• Data centre manager £86,625 

Salaries in the data centre space continue to grow. Between July 2023 and July 2024:  

• 36% of everyone in data centres received a pay rise of 5% or more. 

• 14% had an increase of 10% or more. 

Want to see more data like this? Download our 2024 Data Centre Salary Survey

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Data centre engineer career progression

Example career pathways for data centre engineers: 

• DC/Electrical Engineer -> Shift Lead -> Critical Facilities Engineer/Supervisor -> Critical Facilities Manager -> Data Centre Manager  

• Operations Technician/Engineer -> Technical Supervisor/Engineer -> Technical Manager/Operations Manager 

• Contract Manager > Account Manager > Area Manager 

There’s no single route—your next step depends on your goals, whether that’s technical specialisation or team leadership. 

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Take advantage of the opportunity

Whether you’re actively job hunting or simply curious about what’s next, now’s the time to put yourself in the frame for the best roles: 

• Update your CV with relevant certifications and responsibilities. 
• Be open to relocation or short-term contract work in key hotspots. 
• Build relationships with recruiters who specialise in data centre placements. 
• Explore roles that match your experience—and challenge you to grow.