Director, Data Center Mechanical Engineering

Keel Infrastructure•Pittsburgh, PA

19h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Data Center Mechanical Engineering is a senior leadership role responsible for defining, owning, and continuously advancing the company’s mechanical engineering standards across all data center development projects. This individual will serve as the internal authority on cooling, airflow management, and mechanical plant design, ensuring that every facility we develop is built to the highest standards of performance, reliability and energy efficiency. This role partners with engineering, construction, operations and procurement teams to drive informed design decisions from concept through commissioning and establishes the frameworks that govern how our portfolio is engineered for today and scaled for tomorrow.

Requirements

12+ years of progressive mechanical engineering experience.
Demonstrated experience leading mechanical design on hyperscale, colocation, or enterprise data center projects (50MW+ preferred).
Experience as a technical owner or discipline lead, not just a contributor, on large capital projects.
Prior experience managing or mentoring engineering staff and external consultants.
Deep knowledge of data center cooling architectures: air-side economization, water-side economization, chilled water systems, DX systems, evaporative cooling, and hybrid approaches.
Proficiency in mechanical system modeling and simulation tools (e.g., CFD for airflow, EnergyPlus, Trane TRACE, or similar).
Strong working knowledge of ASHRAE Standards 55, 90.1, TC9.9, and relevant TIA/EIA and Uptime Institute standards.
Familiarity with high-density and liquid-cooled deployments for AI/ML and HPC environments.
Experience with mechanical commissioning (Cx) and integrated systems testing (IST) protocols.
Ability to translate complex mechanical engineering concepts for non-technical audiences including executives and investors.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities simultaneously.
Excellent written and verbal communication; experience authoring design standards and technical specifications.
Collaborative mindset with experience working cross-functionally in fast-paced development environments.
Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
Professional Engineer (PE) license strongly preferred.
Professional certifications (CDCDP, PMP, ATD, LEED AP, DCEP, or similar) are a significant asset.

Responsibilities

Develop and own the company's mechanical engineering design standards, specifications, and basis-of-design documentation for all new data center development.
Establish and enforce mechanical engineering criteria for critical systems including chilled water plants, technology cooling systems, DX/CRAC systems, air handling, and containment strategies.
Lead the evaluation, selection, and standardization of mechanical systems and equipment across the portfolio.
Drive continuous improvement of PUE performance targets through innovative mechanical design strategies.
Define KPIs and portfolio analytics for executive leadership and the Board.
Ensure alignment between construction, finance, engineering, procurement, and operations functions.
Provide mechanical engineering leadership and technical review across all phases of development — from site feasibility and schematic design through design development, construction documents, and commissioning.
Review and approve mechanical design packages from external engineers of record (EORs), ensuring compliance with company standards and best practices.
Lead value engineering efforts for mechanical systems, balancing first cost, lifecycle cost, reliability, and schedule.
Support RFP development, bid evaluation, and contractor/vendor selection for mechanical scopes of work.
Build, mentor, and lead an internal mechanical engineering team as the company's portfolio grows.
Manage relationships with external engineering consultants, equipment manufacturers, and specialty subcontractors.
Collaborate with operations teams to ensure designs are optimized for long-term maintainability and operator efficiency.
Present mechanical design strategies and investment recommendations to executive leadership and investment committees.
Evaluate and pilot emerging cooling technologies including direct-to-chip solutions and rear-door heat exchangers for high-density AI/HPC workloads.
Benchmark company designs against industry best practices and competitive peers; identify and close gaps.
Participate in industry organizations (ASHRAE, 7x24 Exchange, The Green Grid) and contribute to thought leadership.