Senior Mechanical Engineer, Data Center Design Engineering

Fleet Data Centers designs, builds, and operates mega-scale data center campuses for cloud and AI infrastructure. The Senior Mechanical Engineer will lead the design, development, and implementation of mechanical systems for large-scale, efficient, scalable, and sustainable data centers, while managing engineering teams, coordinating cross-functional stakeholders, and ensuring reliable project delivery.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage internal and external data center design engineering teams
• Lead the design and development of mechanical systems for large-scale data centers, including HVAC, cooling, chiller plants, rack-based cooling, and fire protection systems
• Provide mechanical design oversight throughout the project lifecycle, from concept to commissioning, ensuring all systems are energy-efficient and meet performance standards
• Develop innovative cooling solutions that reduce water and energy consumption and operational costs while maintaining high availability and reliability
• Drive sustainability initiatives, such as water conservation and heat reuse
• Manage large-scale, multi-site projects across global regions, ensuring the on-time delivery of mechanical engineering systems and solutions
• Collaborate with electrical engineering, structural engineering, network, controls, and operations teams to integrate mechanical systems with other data center components
• Work closely with vendors and contractors to ensure all mechanical systems meet quality, safety, and operational standards, as well as company specifications
• Act as the main point of contact for all mechanical systems-related decisions and collaborate with senior leadership and stakeholders
• Ensure all mechanical designs and systems comply with local, state, and federal regulations, including ASHRAE standards as required by customers, building codes, and environmental requirements
• Assess and mitigate risks related to mechanical system failures, thermal performance, and energy consumption, with a focus on minimizing downtime
• Lead root-cause analysis and provide technical solutions for any system failures or incidents to improve future design resilience
• Stay at the forefront of industry trends and innovations in data center mechanical engineering, with a focus on energy efficiency and future scalability
• Mentor and lead junior and mid-level mechanical engineers, ensuring team development and promoting a culture of continuous learning
• Oversee technical troubleshooting and optimization of existing mechanical systems to enhance performance and reduce energy consumption
• Develop and refine mechanical design standards and guidelines to ensure consistent and efficient mechanical systems across all data centers

Requirements:

• Candidate must have manager experience and must be capable to lead it to data center capacity delivery projects
• Candidate must be a technical expert in mechanical systems engineering, with a deep understanding of data center operations, sustainability initiatives, and reliability requirements
• Knowledge of all aspects of mechanical engineering is required, including central utility plants, built-up mechanical rooms, packaged equipment, chilled water equipment and piping, DX systems, airside and water-side economization, humidity control, and value engineering as the relate to designing state-of-the-art data centers
• Knowledge in the areas of plumbing, fire protection design and acoustic engineering for data centers is also required
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Building Services engineering or a related field
• 8+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, with at least 5 years focused on data center design and operations
• Proven track record of delivering mechanical systems for large-scale data center projects, including experience with HVAC and cooling systems, chiller plants, rack-based cooling, and fire suppression systems
• Extensive experience with mechanical design software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit, CFD, etc.) and proficiency in tools for modeling and analyzing thermal and fluid dynamics
• Expertise in sustainability, energy efficiency, and cost-saving measures related to data center mechanical systems
• Communication: Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable strategies for both technical and non-technical audiences
• Stakeholder Management: Strong ability to influence and manage key stakeholders across engineering, product, and operations teams
• Analytical Skills: Demonstrated success in analyzing program data, defining KPIs, and reporting on success metrics
• Integrity and Ethical Standards: Build trust, ensure fairness, and foster long-term, transparent relationships with suppliers
• Effective Communication: The ability to clearly convey expectations and requirements to suppliers and negotiation parties, while understanding their needs and concerns. Comfortable delivering written and verbal presentations to internal leadership teams
• Emotional Intelligence (EQ): Ability to understand the emotions, cultural nuances, and motivations of others, while effectively managing one's own emotions during high-pressure negotiations
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think big picture while also managing granular details
• Adaptability: Proven track record of managing change and ambiguity in a fast-paced environment
• Leadership: Ability to manage cross-functional teams and external vendors
• Experience with complex, multi-site projects: Manage multiple projects under tight deadlines and deliver exceptional results
• Excellent communication and presentation skills: Capable of interfacing with senior leadership and diverse stakeholders
• Creative problem-solver: Ability to troubleshoot and optimize system performance effectively
• Team Building: Ability to lead and develop a diverse, cross-functional team in high-pressure environments
• (master's or Ph.D. preferred)
• License: Professional Engineer (PE) license
• Experience working in global data center projects, navigating region-specific regulations and environmental conditions
• Hyperscaler: Familiarity with AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle Cloud, and Meta cloud providers' data center requirements
• Cloud Certifications: Relevant cloud certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Azure Fundamentals, etc.)
• Global Experience: Experience leading product launches in global markets, including knowledge of international land, energy and/or data center regulations and compliance
• Technical Background: A strong technical understanding of cloud services, networking, and software development lifecycles