FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about data center careers and hiring — experience and English, salaries and career paths, our track record, and fees and roles for employers.

Can I move into data centers without prior DC experience or English?
Yes. We specialize in data centers and regularly support entry from adjacent fields such as construction management, electrical, building maintenance and plant. There are English-required roles at foreign-affiliated firms and hyperscalers, but also many Japanese operators and owners where English is not required; we match you to roles that fit your language level.
Can I step up from construction management, chief electrical engineer or building maintenance into data centers?
Yes. These are core to DC construction, power and operations, and experience with extra-high voltage, denken licenses and construction management is highly valued. Typical step-ups include construction management → owner's PM, building maintenance → DC facility manager, and chief electrical engineer → power/MEP lead — often with a significant salary increase.
What is the typical salary range in the data center industry?
It varies by role and seniority, but specialist high-class roles can reach ¥10–20M or more. SEDC Partner's average placed salary is ¥14.7M, centered on facility managers, owner's PMs, commissioning and VP/director roles. Ranges vary with experience, qualifications and English ability.
What are SEDC Partner's strengths and track record?
SEDC Partner specializes in three sectors — Data Center, Energy and Sustainability. We have a ¥14.7M average placed salary, +32% average salary increase after placement, 200+ cumulative placements, and a CXO/high-class pipeline (CEO, VP, FM, PM). We are a JDCC member and work bilingually (Japanese/English).
How much can my salary increase through SEDC Partner?
Based on our track record, the average salary increase after placement is +32%. Because specialist talent is scarce relative to demand, correctly positioning your adjacent experience often yields a significant raise. We share a concrete estimate in your career consultation.
What do data center facility managers (FM) and owner's PMs do, and what do they earn?
FMs keep a DC's power, cooling and security running 24/7 to meet SLAs. Owner's PMs work on the owner side, leading construction projects and managing quality, cost and schedule (QCD). Both are high-class roles, with experienced positions reaching ¥12–20M or more.
How do chief electrical engineer (denken / extra-high voltage) qualifications apply in data centers?
MW-class DCs receive power at extra-high voltage, so licensed chief electrical engineers are essential for substation safety supervision. Denken (class 3–1) and EHV experience is highly valued for DC electrical lead, FM and commissioning roles, with strong salary upside.
(For employers) Why hire data center talent through SEDC Partner, and which roles?
Our sector focus means fast technical understanding of requirements and direct access to scarce high-class talent. We cover the full stack from executives (CEO, VP, director) to owner's PM, FM, commissioning, facility design, construction management and electrical — Japanese and foreign-affiliated, including English-required roles.
(For employers) How do fees work, and can we use freelancers?
Permanent placement (SEDC Recruitment) is success-based: a fee applies only when a hire is made (rate proposed by role and conditions). For short-term or project needs, we also offer freelance/contract matching (SEDC Freelance). Please get in touch.
I'm considering hyperscalers or colocation providers — what roles and careers are available?
Hyperscalers and colocation/DC operators continuously generate roles in owner's PM, FM, commissioning, facility design, construction management and operations as DCs are built and expanded. We work exclusively with these operators and owners and match you by language requirement and career goals.
YouTube Channel Networking Event