Senior Mechanical Engineer, Data Center Design Engineering

Fleet Data Centers•Denver, CO

22d•$120,000 - $150,000•Hybrid

About The Position

As the Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will be responsible for leading the design, development, and implementation of cutting-edge mechanical systems in highly efficient, scalable, and sustainable data centers. This role involves working with cross-functional teams to ensure best-in-class mechanical systems that support massive cloud operations across multiple regions. The candidate must have management experience and be capable of leading data center capacity delivery projects. The 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 they 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.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Building Services engineering or a related field (master’s or Ph.D. preferred)
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
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable strategies for both technical and non-technical audiences
Strong ability to influence and manage key stakeholders across engineering, product, and operations teams
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

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineer (PE) license
Experience working in global data center projects, navigating region-specific regulations and environmental conditions
Familiarity with AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle Cloud, and Meta cloud providers’ data center requirements
Relevant cloud certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Azure Fundamentals, etc.)
Experience leading product launches in global markets, including knowledge of international land, energy and/or data center regulations and compliance
A strong technical understanding of cloud services, networking, and software development lifecycles

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