As AI workloads push global power demand to new heights and the grid undergoes one of its biggest transformations in history, where should engineers in utilities, SCADA, or nuclear look for their next career move? Could modular data centres (MDCs) be the frontier where all these disciplines converge?
Answer
The short answer is yes.
Modular data centres are no longer just an alternative build model, they are quickly becoming the backbone of the digital economy’s growth. Unlike traditional facilities that take years to design and construct, MDCs can be deployed in months, scaled up or down with demand, and positioned strategically near power sources.
For engineers, this shift creates something rare: a convergence point between multiple specialisms — utilities, SCADA, nuclear, and AI. Instead of siloed career paths, these fields are colliding around the same question: how do we build and power the next generation of infrastructure reliably and fast?
And modular data centres are the answer.
1. Why SCADA Skills Translate Directly to MDCs
If you already work with SCADA systems, you’re ahead of the curve. MDCs rely on the same principles real-time monitoring, automation, and resilience. Cooling systems, backup power, and IT workloads all need continuous oversight. Engineers with SCADA experience can step into MDC roles without reinventing their careers.
2. Why Nuclear and MDCs Are Natural Allies
Nuclear plants, especially with the rise of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), are increasingly being paired with data centres. Nuclear’s strength is in providing consistent baseload power, exactly what AI-heavy data centres require.
Inside nuclear plants, Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and compliance-heavy operational practices look strikingly similar to the mission-critical culture inside MDCs. The biggest barrier isn’t technical skill, it’s often simply security clearance. That means nuclear engineers may find themselves in high demand as MDCs expand alongside energy-hungry AI clusters.
3. Why AI Makes Modular the Default Choice
Artificial Intelligence isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a power challenge. Training large models consumes staggering amounts of energy, and hyperscalers like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon are racing to build facilities that can keep up.
The catch? Traditional data centres take too long to build. MDCs solve that problem. They can be deployed close to renewable farms, nuclear sites, or even urban edges, giving AI clusters the speed and capacity they need. For engineers, that means jobs are opening not just in design, but in commissioning, operations, and optimisation.
4. Why Engineers Are Already Closer Than They Think
Take the perspective of one young engineer on Reddit:
- 28 years old, licensed PE in power.
- Background in utility design (resiliency projects, pole replacements, reconductoring).
- Hungry to move into SCADA, nuclear, or data centres but unsure if his experience “lines up.”
The responses from professionals were clear:
- Utility managers pointed to distribution automation and SCADA as logical pivots.
- Transmission planners described how data centres already reshape grid planning, with billion-dollar implications.
- Recruiters said data centres are hiring engineers at all levels, often training on the job.
- Nuclear engineers confirmed that DCS/SCADA roles inside plants directly transfer to critical infrastructure jobs.
The message? If you already work in utilities, nuclear, or SCADA, you are closer to the MDC career wave than you realise.
Evidence
The case for modular data centres as the career frontier rests on three trends:
- AI-driven demand: Global data centre electricity use is projected to double this decade, with AI as the primary driver.
- Grid transformation: Utilities are under pressure to integrate distributed energy resources (DERs) and smart automation, exactly the technologies MDCs depend on.
- Energy partnerships: Nuclear (via SMRs) and renewables are increasingly being developed alongside modular builds, creating career opportunities in both sectors simultaneously.
FAQs
1. Do I need new qualifications to move into modular data centres?
Not always. If you have experience in utilities, SCADA, or nuclear, your skillset is highly relevant. Additional vendor training (e.g., Siemens, Schneider, ABB) or a short course in data centre operations can make your profile stand out.
2. Why modular instead of traditional data centres?
Modular builds are faster to deploy, easier to scale, and closer to power sources. With AI’s unpredictable growth, modularity is the only model that matches the pace.
3. Is this really a long-term career move, or just hype?
It’s long-term. Data centres aren’t going away. AI, cloud services, and edge computing guarantee steady demand. Modular models will dominate because they solve both speed-to-market and reliability challenges.
Final Takeaway
For engineers asking themselves: “Am I on the right path?” — the answer is yes, if you’re willing to pivot into modular data centres. This is where utilities, SCADA, nuclear, and AI finally converge.
The train hasn’t left the station yet. Modular data centres are boarding now and they might just be the career frontier of the next two decades.