Lead Mechanical Engineer – Data Centre Design

Ashley Frazer Executive; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 360,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

A globally recognised engineering and professional services consultancy is seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer – Data Centre Design in Abu Dhabi. You will lead mechanical design for world-class hyperscale and AI data centres, driving cooling strategies, reliability and energy efficiency across global reference designs and bespoke facilities.

You will mentor engineers, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and engage with clients to deliver technically robust, commercially competitive

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Building Services Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design for mission critical facilities, including HVAC, chilled water, air distribution and heat rejection systems.
• Develop engineering designs, calculations, specifications and technical reports meeting client requirements and standards.
• Conduct thermal load assessments and redundancy planning (N+1, 2N).
• Coordinate with electrical, structural, public health, fire protection and ICT disciplines.
• Lead design reviews, QA, and ensure on-time delivery within budget.
• Mentor engineers and maintain strong client relationships throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support bids and proposals with technically robust and competitive solutions.

Skills

Leadership

Mechanical design

Client liaison

Cross-disciplinary

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

IES

CFD modelling

Job description

Our client is a globally recognised multidisciplinary engineering and professional services consultancy, with expertise spanning engineering, design and advisory services across property & buildings, energy, water, resources, environment and transportation, the organisation partners with clients to deliver complex, technically challenging projects across international markets.

Their rapidly expanding Mission Critical team is at the forefront of next-generation data centre design, supporting the development of advanced hyperscale and AI infrastructure. Combining global technical expertise with a strong focus on innovation, resilience, energy efficiency and sustainability, the business is helping shape the future of digital infrastructure worldwide.

The Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Lead Mechanical Engineer – Data Centre Design to join a growing Global Mission Critical / Data Centre Design team in Abu Dhabi.

This is a senior technical leadership position offering the opportunity to lead mechanical engineering design for some of the world's most advanced AI and hyperscale data centre projects. The portfolio includes both standardized global reference designs and bespoke, high-performance facilities, requiring innovative engineering solutions to meet increasingly demanding requirements for cooling capacity, reliability, energy efficiency and operational resilience.

Working closely with clients, architects and multidisciplinary engineering teams, you will lead mechanical design from early concept and technical development through detailed design, commissioning and post-handover. You will also contribute to the evolution of global design standards, provide technical leadership and mentor engineers within a growing mission critical practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical engineering design for mission critical facilities, including HVAC, chilled water, air distribution and heat rejection systems.
• Develop engineering designs, calculations, specifications and technical reports in accordance with client requirements, local regulations and international standards.
• Undertake thermal load assessments, cooling capacity planning and redundancy strategies, including N+1 and 2N configurations.
• Develop efficient, resilient cooling solutions incorporating free cooling, adiabatic cooling and other sustainable technologies.
• Coordinate mechanical design with electrical, structural, public health, fire protection and ICT disciplines to deliver fully integrated solutions.
• Lead technical reviews, design quality assurance and the delivery of engineering outputs in line with programme, budget and quality requirements.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, providing technical advice and presenting engineering solutions throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support bids, proposals and client engagements, contributing to the development of technically robust and commercially competitive solutions.
• Contribute to the development and optimisation of global reference designs and bespoke solutions for hyperscale and AI data centres.
• Mentor and develop engineers, promoting technical excellence, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Building Services Engineering or a related discipline. A master's degree and/or Chartered Engineer status would be advantageous.
• Minimum 10 years' relevant engineering experience, including at least three years specialising in mission critical facilities and/or data centre projects.
• Proven experience leading mechanical design for data centres or other high-availability environments.
• Strong technical knowledge of critical cooling systems, including CRAC/CRAH, chilled water, direct expansion and adiabatic cooling solutions.
• Understanding of mechanical-electrical integration, controls and Building Management Systems (BMS), redundancy requirements and commissioning processes.
• Experience with hyperscale and AI data centre projects, including high-density cooling strategies, would be highly advantageous.
• Proficiency in relevant design and engineering tools such as Revit, AutoCAD, IES, CFD modelling or equivalent.
• Demonstrable ability to deliver high-quality engineering calculations, technical specifications and coordinated design packages.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management and problem-solving capabilities, with the confidence to engage directly with clients and lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across international teams and project locations.

Why Join?

• Work on next-generation infrastructure: Lead the design of globally significant hyperscale and AI data centres at the forefront of digital innovation.
• Join a growing global practice: Become part of an expanding Mission Critical team with access to international expertise, technical resources and project opportunities.
• Influence engineering strategy: Contribute to both global reference designs and bespoke solutions for some of the industry's most demanding facilities.
• Make a technical impact: Help drive improvements in cooling performance, reliability, energy efficiency and sustainability.
• Develop future talent: Play a key role in mentoring engineers and strengthening the technical capabilities of a growing team.
• Collaborate in a flexible environment: Benefit from a multidisciplinary workplace that values knowledge-sharing, professional development and collaboration, with three days per week in the office.

If you are an experienced mechanical engineering professional with a passion for mission critical infrastructure and the ambition to lead the design of advanced hyperscale and AI data centres, this is an opportunity to take your career to the next level.