Director, Data Center Mechanical Engineering

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Description Summary:

The Lead Mechanical Engineer, will lead the development, standardization, and deployment of advanced cooling systems across a data center platform. This role serves as the mechanical Subject Matter Expert (SME) for next-generation thermal solutions, with a focus on hydronic system design and direct-to-chip liquid cooling to support high-density AI and HPC workloads.

The position operates at both strategic and execution levels—defining design standards while partnering with development, construction, commissioning, and operations teams to ensure successful project delivery. The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise, strong cross-functional leadership, and a forward-looking approach to scalable, efficient, and sustainable infrastructure.

Essential Duties:

Strategic Leadership & Innovation

• Define and evolve cooling system architectures across air-cooled, liquid-cooled, and hybrid data center environments.

• Lead development of hydronic system strategies supporting direct-to-chip cooling, including CDU integration, secondary TCS loop design, and rack-level heat rejection.

• Establish and maintain mechanical design standards, including redundancy models, system topologies, and equipment selections.

• Drive innovation in AI/HPC-ready infrastructure, including liquid-to-chip, immersion cooling, and high-density thermal management solutions.

• Develop and guide thermal performance modeling practices, including CFD, co-simulation modeling, load profiling, and optimization tied to PUE, WUE, and dynamic workloads.

• Support sustainability initiatives related to water usage, refrigerant strategy, and lifecycle optimization.

Design Engineering & Standards Development

• Create and maintain Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) and Basis of Design (BoD) documentation for mechanical systems.

• Lead standardization of cooling plant designs, hydronic distribution systems, and mechanical sequences of operation (SOOs).

• Conduct technical reviews of:

  • CFD and thermal models

  • Mechanical system redundancy and failure scenarios

  • Equipment submittals (chillers, pumps, CDUs, CRAHs, heat exchangers)

• Evaluate and integrate new technologies, vendors, and products to improve performance, cost, and scalability.

• Develop engineering guidelines, templates, and specifications to support rapid and consistent deployment.

Project Delivery & Execution Support

• Partner with design, construction, and commissioning teams to ensure mechanical systems are executed in alignment with design intent.

• Review construction documents, RFIs, and submittals to identify risks and ensure quality delivery.

• Support on-site validation and commissioning, including performance testing under load conditions.

  • Provide technical leadership across the full lifecycle:

  • Concept and site due diligence

  • Detailed design and procurement

  • Construction and commissioning

  • Turnover to operations

• Collaborate with controls teams on BAS, PLC, and system integration strategies.

Vendor & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Lead technical engagement with OEMs and vendors for cooling systems, packaged skids, and modular plant solutions.

• Support procurement in equipment selection, standardization, and cost optimization.

• Coordinate across internal stakeholders including development, construction, operations, and capacity planning.

• Capture and implement lessons learned from project execution to continuously improve standards and delivery.

Operational & Continuous Improvement Focus

• Support Operations teams in optimizing system performance, reliability, and maintainability.

• Balance CAPEX vs. OPEX considerations through value engineering and lifecycle analysis.

• Develop tools and metrics to track cooling system performance and efficiency across the fleet.

Education/Training/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (Master’s preferred).

• 10–15+ years of experience in mechanical engineering within data centers or mission-critical facilities.

• Deep expertise in:

  • Hydronic systems (chilled water, condenser water, pumping, distribution)

  • Direct-to-chip liquid cooling and CDU systems

  • Central utility plants and cooling infrastructure

  • Air Management and CFD modeling

• Strong understanding of HVAC systems (CRAHs, chillers, cooling towers, pumps, heat exchangers).

• Experience developing OPR, BoD, and design standards and guide specifications.

• Proven ability to review construction documents, submittals, and commissioning processes.

• Knowledge of ASHRAE standards, building codes, and mission-critical redundancy design.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional Engineer (PE) license.

• Experience supporting AI/HPC or high-density environments.

• Proficiency with CFD modeling and thermal analysis tools.

• Working knowledge of BAS, PLCs, and controls integration as applied to data center mechanical systems.

• Experience with modular/prefabricated data center delivery models.

• Exposure to global or multi-site deployments.