Principal Mechanical Engineer Data Centres

Energi People; Dubai; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A global multidisciplinary consultancy is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer for its expanding data centre design team in Dubai. The role demands an experienced engineer with a strong HVAC design background and the ability to inspire others. Responsibilities include leading design for cooling systems, ensuring compliance with international standards, and mentoring junior engineers. Ideal candidates should have over 7 years of MEP consultancy experience and be ready to drive technical innovation. An excellent chance to work with a respected firm dedicated to sustainability and staff well-being.

Benefits

Sustainability initiatives

Employee wellness programs

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of experience in MEP consultancy mechanical design.
• Experience in data centre design for specialist cooling systems.
• Accredited Tier Designer (ATD) certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and delivery of specialist cooling systems.
• Develop technical specifications and performance criteria.
• Collaborate with electrical and ICT disciplines for integration.

Skills

Technical HVAC Design

Client Liaison

Project Management

Cooling System Design

Education

Degree in Mechanical/Building Services Engineering

Chartered status through CIBSE/IMechE

Job description

Principal Mechanical Engineer - Data Centres

MEP Building Services Design | Data Centres | Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Do you consider yourself a technical leader in mechanical / HVAC design with a passion for delivering complex data centre and mission-critical environments?

Are you ready to lead design delivery across hyperscale and colocation projects with one of the world’s most respected engineering consultancies?

Please note this is an MEP design position, not project management / installation. Candidates who do not come from a consultancy design background in HVAC design for data centres, will unfortunately be rejected.

THE ROLE

An outstanding opportunity has arisen for an experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer to join a global multidisciplinary consultancy’s expanding data centre design team in Dubai.

This role will suit an MEP Building services Design Engineer from a HVAC Design background with natural gravitas and the ability to inspire others. You will be a natural communicator with strong technical MEP Design skills & a strong ambition to provide solutions to global clients.

Technical HVAC, Plumbing and fire protection design skills, client facing abilities, the ability to run medium size projects, are all essential to succeed in this unique, yet challenging role.

In this key leadership role, you’ll take full responsibility for the mechanical design and coordination of mission-critical data centre projects across the MENA region, from concept to commissioning.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Leading design and delivery of specialist cooling systems including CRAC / CRAH units, liquid cooling, chilled water systems, hybrid evaporative cooling, and hot & cold aisle containment.
• Developing technical specifications, schematics and performance criteria for airflow management, heat rejection systems, and energy-efficient mechanical solutions.
• Collaborating with electrical and ICT disciplines to ensure fully integrated data centre MEP systems.
• Conducting detailed load calculations, CFD analysis interpretation and redundancy modelling (N+1 / N+2).
• Ensuring designs comply with TIA942, ASHRAE TC9.9, Uptime Institute, ISO/IEC, and BS/EN standards for data centres.
• Managing design delivery, QA/QC, and client liaison throughout the project life cycle.
• Mentoring intermediate and junior engineers within the mechanical design team.
• You’ll work alongside a world-class engineering team delivering global design excellence while collaborating across international offices.

THE COMPANY

I have partnered with this excellent, global, multi-disciplinary consultancy for over 15 years spanning the UK, Europe, MENA and APAC regions, placing a large number of engineers at all levels and cannot recommend them any higher.

Not only do they have a fantastic reputation for staff retention, engagement, and employee satisfaction, they are incredibly passionate about sustainability, offering a wide array of engineering & sustainability services across the globe.

They also have an incredible staff wellbeing initiative for all employees that has won awards!

If you’ve got potential and want to push the boundaries of design, they will help you achieve it!

REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS

• Along with the above-mentioned skills and experience, a degree in Mechanical / building services engineering is essential. Additionally:
• Chartered status is highly desirable through CIBSE / IMechE
• 7–10+ years’ experience in MEP consultancy mechanical design for data centres or critical environments.
• Experience within data center design for specialist cooling systems, hybrid evaporative cooling systems, CRAC units, hot & cold aisles etc.
• Resource management experience is critical in this position as you will be managing the design delivery for multiple projects throughout the region & potentially other geographical locations
• Familiarity with international standards (IEEE, NFPA, ASHRAE, IEC, Uptime Institute, ISO/IEC, TIA, BSI).
• Accredited Tier Designer (ATD) certification preferred.
• Superb client facing skills are essential
• Possess a proven, stable and consistent track record in delivering highly technical MEP Design projects within APAC, MENA or Europe.
• The ability to stimulate work regionally through nurturing existing and developing new client relationships

To apply for this fantastic opportunity, please contact Malak Gomaa, Talent Consultant

ABOUT US

Energi People are a privately owned global multi-disciplinary recruitment consultancy, established in 2002.

We are one of the most experienced and successful recruitment consultancies in the built environment & have successfully helped some of the largest and most technically advanced building construction projects across the world be completed by bringing the best technical people in our industry together. We strive to help companies grow & careers flourish.

Our MEP Design consultancy & data centre team have more than 35 years of recruitment experience within building services engineering recruitment within the MENA region.

James Mowat has been elected as a Judge at the MEP Middle East Awards for the past 3 years, the CIBSE UAE Awards for 2 years and spoken at many industry events. A real statement of recognition of our commitment, presence, and dedication to the MENA Built environment & data centre Industries.