Senior Mechanical Engineer, Data Centers - Remote (U.S.)

AECOM•Arlington, VA

1d•Remote

About The Position

AECOM is hiring a Senior Mechanical Engineer for its east-region Data Center and Mission Critical team. The role is hands-on and client-facing, supporting high-profile, fast-paced data center projects for global clients. The ideal candidate understands the technology sector and the scale, speed, and consistency demands of data center and mission-critical work. The position is primarily remote and may be based near an AECOM office in the United States. Occasional, advance-scheduled travel may be required for client meetings, project milestones, onsite collaboration, or other business-critical activities. AECOM plans to fill this current vacancy by December 24, 2026. New employees must attend in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree with at least 8 years of relevant experience, or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education.
Experience with data center mechanical and electrical equipment installation and operation.
Professional Engineer (P.E.) registration.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, HVAC engineering, or a related field from an accredited university.
Master's degree or advanced coursework in HVAC systems or energy management.
Knowledge of data center Tier Standard topology as per the Uptime Institute, TIA 942, and ANSI/BICSI 002.
HVAC-related professional certifications such as Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Building Energy Modeling Professional (BEMP), or LEED accreditation.

Responsibilities

Develop and design data center heat rejection and HVAC systems, accounting for cooling type and loads, future flexibility, phased construction and operations, airflow management, humidity control, redundancy and concurrent maintainability, energy efficiency, and applicable standards and best practices.
Select appropriate data center cooling systems, including fan wall units, CRAHs, chilled-water and DX systems, CRAC units, in-row cooling, and containment solutions.
Conduct internal CFD simulations to optimize airflow, analyze transient periods, identify hotspots, and support efficient cooling.
Conduct external CFD simulations for individual buildings or campuses; prepare or direct preparation of models, analyze results, recommend design changes, and coordinate impacts with other disciplines.
Design HVAC redundancy and fault-tolerant features, including backup cooling, automatic switchover mechanisms, and monitoring systems.
Calculate data center heat loads and plan capacity based on IT equipment, power density, anticipated growth, and construction and operational phasing; perform HVAC load calculations for administrative and common areas.
Implement energy-efficient HVAC strategies, such as economizers, variable-speed drives, energy recovery, and optimized airflow management.
Design filtration and air-quality monitoring to address particulate matter, humidity, and contaminants and protect IT equipment.
Coordinate with electrical and mechanical engineers to integrate HVAC and heat rejection systems with electrical infrastructure, UPS and emergency power systems, fire suppression, and other critical infrastructure.

Benefits

Medical benefits
Dental benefits
Vision benefits
Life and AD&D benefits
Disability benefits
Paid time off
Leaves of absence
Voluntary benefits and perks
Flexible work options
Well-being resources
Employee assistance program
Business travel insurance
Service recognition awards
Retirement savings plan
Employee stock purchase plan
Relocation assistance may be available for candidates interested in working from the Arlington, VA office