Head of Mechanical Engineering - Data Center Cooling Platform

About the role

The Concept Development team works with customers at concept stage to define how their data centers will be powered, cooled and delivered, integrating master planning, offsite manufacturing, cost modelling, BIM and commissioning strategy from the outset. The employer is looking for a Mechanical/HVAC Engineering Lead to develop, design and govern the mechanical cooling platform behind its clients' global data center delivery strategy, acting as the technical authority for critical cooling infrastructure.

Key responsibilities

• Lead design delivery, workshops and design reviews, developing standardised mechanical architectures and cooling topologies (N, N+1, 2N, 2N+1) for hyperscale, AI, enterprise and colocation data centers.
• Provide mechanical input on feasibility studies, customer engagements and project pursuits, including thermal load models and cooling capacity forecasts.
• Design mechanical solutions optimised for prefabrication and industrialised delivery (skid-mounted plant, modular CHW/CRAH assemblies, packaged cooling units).
• Act as the mechanical authority for complex engineering challenges, supporting design reviews, root cause investigations and commissioning and reliability programmes.
• Own mechanical design standards and specifications, and champion innovation in liquid cooling, free cooling, heat rejection and digitalisation.

Required profile

• SME-level mechanical engineering knowledge of chilled water systems, CRAH/CRAC units, chillers, cooling towers, air handling units and containment strategies.
• Experience with direct/indirect liquid cooling, free cooling and heat rejection technologies for high-density and AI workloads.
• 5-10 years' relevant experience, with a higher degree in Mechanical or Building Services Engineering; Chartered status preferred.
• Proven track record leading concept engineering, feasibility studies and customer engagements in hyperscale/AI data centers.
• Experience with modularisation, DfMA and operational readiness.

Required skills

• Control and monitoring systems (BMS/EPMS/SCADA), commissioning and testing compliance.
• Mechanical and thermal modelling tools, AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam and Excel.