Principal Mechanical Engineer (Data Centres)
Dubai
A leading, fast-growing engineering consultancy specializing in hyperscale data centres and mission-critical infrastructure is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to lead its expanding Mechanical design team.
This is an exciting role offering the opportunity to work on cutting-edge data centre projects across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, delivering innovative, high-performance engineering solutions for global clients.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the mechanical design function across multiple data centre and mission-critical projects.
- Act as the technical lead for HVAC, public health, and fire protection system design.
- Oversee mechanical designs from concept through detailed design, construction support, and commissioning.
- Review and approve engineering calculations, specifications, reports, equipment selections, and design deliverables.
- Ensure compliance with client requirements, local regulations, and international standards including ASHRAE, CIBSE, NFPA, TIA-942, and Uptime guidelines.
- Drive design optimization, value engineering, innovation, and engineering best practices across projects.
- Lead cooling load calculations, thermal design strategies, equipment sizing, and critical cooling solutions.
- Manage, mentor, and develop mechanical engineering teams, providing technical guidance and quality oversight.
- Coordinate closely with electrical, structural, architectural, and BIM teams to deliver fully integrated designs.
- Support project planning, resource allocation, technical risk management, and delivery schedules.
- Provide technical support during site inspections, testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting activities.
- Participate in client meetings, technical presentations, proposal development, and business growth initiatives.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (Master's degree advantageous).
- 12+ years of mechanical design engineering experience within consultancy, contractor, or design-build environments.
- Proven experience leading the mechanical design and delivery of data centre or other mission-critical projects.
- Strong expertise in:
- HVAC systems and thermal engineering
- Chilled water and precision cooling systems
- Public health and fire protection systems
- Data centre mechanical infrastructure
- ASHRAE, CIBSE, NFPA, TIA-942 and relevant local codes
- Experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams and coordinating complex projects.
- Strong knowledge of design reviews, value engineering, commissioning, and construction support.
- Proficiency in AutoCAD, Microsoft Office, and mechanical design software; Revit, HAP, IES or CFD experience preferred.
- Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
- Professional certification such as CEng, PE, or equivalent preferred.
Desirable Experience
- Hyperscale, colocation, or Tier-certified data centre projects.
- Sustainable and energy-efficient mechanical design solutions.
- Revit, BIM, CFD modelling, HAP, and IES-VE.
- Client-facing technical leadership within international project environments.
- Experience contributing to engineering standards, specifications, and quality improvement initiatives.
