Lead Mechanical Engineer – Mission Critical (Data Centres)

GHD; Abu Dhabi; Hybrid; AED 480,000 - 720,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Office three days per week

Global data centre experience

Job summary

GHD is seeking an experienced Lead Mechanical Engineer to join its Global Data Centre Design Team in the UAE. You will lead mechanical design for high-availability data centres, coordinating with multidisciplinary teams from concept through post-handover.

The role emphasizes mentoring, client liaison, and delivering innovative, energy-efficient cooling solutions for hyperscale facilities. Enthusiasm for shaping best practices across global reference designs is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Building Services Engineering (Master’s degree/Chartered preferred).
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience, with at least 3 years in mission critical/data centre projects.
• Proven expertise in cooling system design for high-availability environments.
• Strong understanding of mechanical-electrical integration, controls/BMS, and commissioning for data centres.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design for mission critical facilities (HVAC, chilled water, air distribution, heat rejection).
• Develop designs, specs, and technical reports per client requirements and standards.
• Deliver thermal load assessments, capacity planning, and redundancy strategies.
• Incorporate energy efficiency, free cooling, and sustainable technologies.
• Coordinate with electrical, structural, public health, fire protection, and ICT teams.
• Lead technical reviews, ensure quality control, manage budgets, deliverables, and schedules.
• Maintain client relationships and act as technical advisor from bid to closeout.
• Mentor junior engineers and promote technical excellence.
• Contribute to development/adaptation of client standard designs and bespoke solutions.

Skills

Leadership

Mechanical design

HVAC design

Energy efficiency

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Mentoring

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Building Services Engineering

Master’s degree or Chartered Engineer status preferred

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

IES

CFD modelling

Job description

Who we are

With over 14,000 professionals globally, GHD is a leading multidisciplinary professional services company delivering engineering, design, and advisory solutions across water, energy, resources, environment, property & buildings, and transportation sectors.

About The Role

We are seeking an experienced and driven Lead Mechanical Engineer to join our Global Data Centre Design Team (Mission Critical), based in our UAE offices. This is a senior leadership position for a technically accomplished engineer with a strong track record in the design and delivery of complex data centre and mission critical projects.

You will have the opportunity to lead the mechanical engineering design for some of the most advanced AI and hyperscale data centres in the world. These projects will include both standardised global reference designs and fully bespoke high-performance facilities that set new benchmarks for innovation, resilience, energy efficiency, and sustainability.

You will play a central role in shaping mechanical engineering strategies for high-availability infrastructure, collaborating with clients, architects, and multi-disciplinary teams from early concept through to post-handover. Your work will directly influence the future of data centre design, while also mentoring the next generation of engineers in our fast-growing mission critical team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design for mission critical facilities, covering HVAC, chilled water systems, air distribution, heat rejection systems, and integration with electrical and ICT systems.
• Develop high-quality designs, specifications, and technical reports in line with client requirements, local regulations, and international standards.
• Deliver thermal load assessments, capacity planning, redundancy and resilience strategies (e.g., N+1, 2N) for critical cooling systems.
• Integrate energy efficiency, free cooling, and sustainable technologies into design strategies to minimise operational costs and environmental impact.
• Coordinate closely with electrical, structural, public health, fire protection, and ICT teams to ensure fully integrated, clash-free, and optimised designs.
• Lead technical reviews, ensure quality control of design deliverables, and manage budgets, deliverables, and programme schedules.
• Maintain strong client relationships, presenting solutions, managing expectations, and acting as a trusted technical advisor from bid stage through to project completion.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Contribute to the development, adaptation, and optimisation of client standard designs, as well as bespoke engineering solutions.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Building Services Engineering (Master’s degree or Chartered Engineer status preferred).
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience, with at least 3 years focused on mission critical and/or data centre projects.
• Proven expertise in cooling system design for high-availability environments, including CRAC/CRAH, chilled water, direct expansion, and adiabatic cooling solutions.
• Strong understanding of mechanical-electrical integration, controls/BMS strategies, and commissioning processes for data centres.
• Experience with hyperscale and AI data centre cooling design strategies is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in design tools such as Revit, AutoCAD, IES, CFD modelling, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated ability to produce technical designs, calculations, and specifications to a high standard.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder engagement, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to lead discussions, influence outcomes, and work across multiple disciplines and geographies.

Why Join Us?

• Work on globally significant projects, influencing the next generation of AI and hyperscale data centre design.
• Be part of a globally recognised, fast-growing mission critical team delivering projects that blend technical excellence, sustainability, and commercial success.
• Collaborate in a multi-disciplinary, innovative environment where your input shapes both standardised and bespoke solutions.
• Join a team that values knowledge-sharing, mentorship, and professional excellence.
• Be part of a workplace that combines collaboration, flexibility, and connection. Join us in the office three days per week to contribute, connect and excel in our vibrant environment.

Our Pledge to You

At GHD, we don’t just believe in the power of commitment, we live and breathe it every day.

That’s why we pledge to empower our people to make a positive impact. Combining our deep technical expertise with the capabilities of our clients and partners, we respond to some of the most complex challenges facing our planet today.

See where your commitment could take you.

That’s the #PowerOfCommitment