Apto Graduate Programme Q&A
“You’re developing your skills and contributing from day one”: Stephen Quinn on learning fast and building the future of digital infrastructure.
When Stephen Quinn graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering from University College Dublin, he knew he wanted to be part of something hands-on, fast-moving and meaningful.
Six months into his role as a Pre-Construction Graduate Engineer at Apto, Stephen is already contributing to multiple data centre projects across Europe. His work spans grid connections – both traditional and renewable – environmental assessments and strategic planning, all while learning how to design critical infrastructure from the ground up.
Here, Stephen shares what drew him to the Apto Graduate Programme, what surprised him most and why he thinks now is the time for ambitious engineers to get involved.
What first drew you to Apto and the Graduate Programme?
I was really interested in the data centre industry, especially with my background in electrical engineering, but what stood out most was that Apto was a small, fast-growing company.
When I joined, there were only four of us in the Dublin office, which meant I’d get to work across a wide range of areas instead of being siloed into one role. I saw it as a rare opportunity to learn about every stage of a project, not just a single component.
What’s your role, and what kind of work are you doing?
I’m a Pre-Construction Engineer, working with the team on all the early stage elements of data centre projects – things like design, planning, permitting, grid connections and environmental impact assessments. It’s a mix of engineering and strategy, and it’s been great to apply what I studied to something real that will be applied across multiple European sites.
Were you familiar with data centres before you applied?
To a degree. I knew about them through my studies, especially how energy intensive they are and how important secure grid connections are to making them work. But once I started learning more, I realised how central they are to everything we do – from video calls and emails to streaming TV content and online banking.
They’re absolutely essential to modern life, but most people don’t think about them because they operate in the background. That’s what makes working in this space so interesting.
What excited you about joining the industry?
The pace of change. There’s a huge push to deliver faster and more efficiently, and it feels like real progress is being made every week. It’s also a chance to work across different countries, which adds even more learning. It’s a side of the world most people never get to see, and it’s exciting to be part of it.
What surprised you most once you joined?
How quickly everything moves. When you think about the scale of these projects you’d expect them to be slower, but we make decisions, adapt and progress really fast. That momentum makes it a great place to learn and develop.
What’s the team and culture like at Apto?
It’s really collaborative. Because it’s a small company, everyone’s approachable – whether they’re working beside you or a few desks away. I expected a steep learning curve, but there’s always someone to guide you.
There’s a strong mix of support and independence, which makes it a great environment to grow in. People genuinely want to help, and there’s space to learn as you go.
How is sustainability showing up in your work?
There’s a clear focus on sustainability across everything we’re doing, especially when it comes to energy efficiency and integrating renewable power sources. Whether it’s on-site generation or off-site procurement, we’re constantly looking for better ways to power these facilities.
And because Apto is a newer company building brand new sites, we’re starting from a clean slate. This means we can plan for sustainability from the outset.
How has the Apto helped you apply your studies to real-world challenges?
It’s been really valuable. One part of the programme involves leading your own project to improve a process or add something meaningful to the business. You get to draw on your degree and bring that thinking into the day-to-day. It’s not just theory, it’s about adding real value.
That, combined with structured training sessions every two weeks on different areas of the business – from engineering to sales – makes it a really well-rounded experience.
What would you say to other graduates thinking about applying?
If you’re someone who likes to learn and be challenged, Apto’s a great place to be. There’s always someone to help, and you’re developing your skills while contributing to real projects. It’s not just theory, you’re applying what you know and learning more every day. If that sounds like your kind of environment, you’ll enjoy it here.
Apto’s Graduate Programme is designed to give bright, curious graduates the chance to thrive in a fast-growing industry and make a real impact from day one.
If you’re adaptable, ambitious and ready to shape the future of digital infrastructure, consider our Graduate Programme and apply now.
