Staff Mechanical Engineer

Graphcore • Austin, TX

7d

About The Position

Graphcore is a leading innovator in artificial intelligence computing, developing hardware, software, and data center infrastructure for advanced AI processing and efficient broad adoption. As part of SoftBank Group, its teams work across AI research, silicon design, hardware and software engineering, and systems architecture.

The Staff Mechanical Engineer provides technical leadership for mechanical infrastructure supporting advanced machine-learning and high-capacity computing environments. The role shapes design standards, reviews critical systems, and coordinates with data center developers, consultants, project partners, and multidisciplinary internal teams. It translates AI and high-performance computing rack requirements into scalable mechanical solutions and supports projects through design, construction, commissioning, and handover. The role is based in Austin and involves approximately 10% to 20% travel for site visits, inspections, commissioning, and factory acceptance testing.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in mechanical engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience crafting or reviewing mechanical systems for data centers, critically important facilities, or comparable infrastructure.
• Knowledge of HVAC systems and equipment, including chillers, pumps, air-handling equipment, ductwork, piping, hydronic systems, and sequences of operation.
• Experience reviewing design calculations, drawings, specifications, equipment submittals, and control strategies.
• Experience coordinating mechanical requirements with IT, infrastructure, facilities, and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Experience supporting commissioning, inspections, acceptance testing, issue resolution, and operational handover.
• Ability to provide clear technical direction and communicate decisions through concise documentation and collaborative reviews.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with hyperscale data centers, colocation facilities, or Tier III or Tier IV environments.
• Professional Engineer license or comparable international credential.
• Experience with high-density AI or high-performance computing infrastructure.
• Knowledge of direct liquid cooling, high-capacity chilled-water systems, building automation, or advanced heat-rejection technologies.

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain mechanical design standards, specifications, and owner requirements for data center projects.
• Review mechanical system builds, computations, blueprints, technical requirements, equipment choices, and control sequences for technical quality and operational fit.
• Translate AI and high-performance computing rack requirements into scalable cooling, airflow, hydronic, piping, and heat-rejection solutions.
• Provide technical direction to external consultants, developers, equipment suppliers, and engineering partners.
• Evaluate design options for reliability, maintainability, energy and water performance, capacity, and future expansion.
• Coordinate mechanical interfaces with electrical systems, building controls, fire protection, IT infrastructure, and site operations.
• Lead design reviews, resolve technical issues, and document decisions, risks, and follow-up actions.
• Support site inspections, equipment submittal reviews, factory acceptance tests, commissioning, and operational-readiness activities.
• Verify that projects meet approved requirements, applicable codes, safety expectations, and commissioning criteria before handover.
• Guide engineers, share technical knowledge, and assess emerging mechanical technologies for future data center deployments.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage, with options that may extend to eligible dependents.
• Mental health, wellness, and employee assistance resources.
• Retirement savings benefits and company contributions where applicable.
• Paid vacation, sick time, company holidays, and parental or family leave in accordance with applicable plans and policies.
• Life insurance and short-term or long-term disability coverage.
• Flexible working hours and hybrid working arrangements where compatible with the role and team requirements.
• Professional development resources, learning programs, office amenities, and team-led activities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior