Principal Mechanical Engineer - Data Centres

First Point Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 260,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

First Point Group is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead the mechanical design for cutting-edge data centre projects in Dubai. You will drive HVAC, public health and fire protection design, overseeing from concept to commissioning and coordinating with BIM teams across international programs.

The role demands 12+ years of experience in data centre or mission-critical environments, with strong leadership, design reviews, and knowledge of ASHRAE, CIBSE, NFPA, TIA-942.

Qualifications

• 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 mechanical design and delivery of data centre or mission-critical projects.
• Strong expertise in HVAC systems, thermal engineering, chilled water and precision cooling, public health and fire protection systems.
• Experience with ASHRAE, CIBSE, NFPA, TIA-942 and relevant local codes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design function across data centre and mission-critical projects.
• Act as technical lead for HVAC, public health, and fire protection system design.
• Oversee designs from concept through construction support and commissioning.
• Review calculations, specifications, reports, equipment selections, and design deliverables.
• Coordinate with electrical, structural, architectural and BIM teams.

Skills

Mechanical design

HVAC

Public health

Fire protection

Leadership

Revit

AutoCAD

CFD

Team management

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree advantageous

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

HAP

IES-VE

CFD

Job description

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

- 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.
• 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.