Associate Director, Mechanical Engineer

Black & White Engineering; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Black & White Engineering seeks a senior Mechanical leader to deliver mission-critical data centre projects across Australia and APAC. You will lead design teams, oversee HVAC development, and ensure robust design, safety and client satisfaction.

You will mentor high-performing teams, drive technical excellence, and contribute to commercial success while collaborating with regional leadership and front-end advisory functions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• Postgraduate qualification in Engineering, Project Management or related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer status or equivalent is advantageous.
• Membership with a recognised professional body preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor multi-disciplinary engineering design teams to deliver high-quality mechanical solutions for data centre projects.
• Oversee HVAC design development aligned with Front Office requirements and optimise performance.
• Ensure calculations, schedules and docs meet industry standards delivering Right First Time.
• Conduct technical reviews of drawings to ensure accuracy and compliance with standards.
• Lead coordination of engineering services across disciplines (PHE, Fire, Electrical).
• Monitor risk, performance and control costs to maintain schedule and commercial goals.
• Train and mentor staff to build technical capability and succession.
• Support the Technical Committee in advancing design excellence and innovation.

Skills

Mechanical design leadership

Project leadership

Client engagement

Risk and cost control

Mentoring teams

Interdisciplinary coordination

Education

Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering

Postgraduate engineering/PM

Chartered Engineer status

Professional body membership

Tools

HAP

Hevacomp

IES

BIM 360

Job description

Join a fast-growing global engineering consultancy and deliver high-impact electrical solutions across data centre projects.

Reporting to the Regional Data Centre Director APAC, the Mechanical Associate Director will play a pivotal leadership role in driving the delivery and growth of B&W Engineering’s mission-critical portfolio across Australia and the wider APAC region.

This role leads the development, design and coordination of Mechanical engineering services across complex data centre and infrastructure projects. You will ensure technical excellence, programme performance and commercial discipline in line with B&W’s global standards.

Working closely with regional leadership, you will strengthen engineering capability, mentor high-performing teams and act as a key interface between front-end advisory and project delivery. As a senior representative of the business, you will champion B&W’s “One Team” culture while contributing to sustainable growth and operational excellence.

About the Role

Technical Leadership & Design Excellence

• Lead and mentor multi-disciplinary engineering design teams to deliver high-quality Mechanical engineering solutions across diverse building typologies.
• Oversee HVAC system design development in alignment with Front Office requirements, providing technical feedback to optimise performance and constructability.
• Ensure all calculations, schedules and design documentation meet robust industry, legal and B&W standards — delivering “Right First Time” outcomes.
• Conduct technical reviews of drawings and documentation to ensure accuracy, compliance and consistency with company standards.
• Lead coordination of engineering services across disciplines, ensuring integrated and holistic design solutions (including PHE, Fire Protection and Electrical interfaces).
• Monitor risk, performance and internal controls to maintain quality, programme and cost discipline.
• Identify scope and scheduling changes in line with change control processes, maintaining planning integrity and commercial control.
• Conduct lessons learned reviews to improve productivity and future project delivery.

Project Delivery & Commercial Awareness

• Maintain oversight of commercial dashboards, invoicing and financial performance
• Review project status updates and modify schedules or plans as required.
• Ensure manufacturing, construction, installation and operational testing activities meet functional specifications and client requirements.
• Survey, test and report on existing services installations where required.
• Accept responsibility for additional strategic or operational tasks as required.
• Train, mentor and coach engineering staff to build technical capability and succession strength.
• Support and contribute to the Company’s Technical Committee in advancing design excellence, innovation and compliance.

Technical Leadership & Design Excellence

• Lead and mentor multi-disciplinary engineering design teams to deliver high-quality Mechanical engineering solutions across diverse building typologies.
• Oversee HVAC system design development in alignment with Front Office requirements, providing technical feedback to optimise performance and constructability.
• Ensure all calculations, schedules and design documentation meet robust industry, legal and B&W standards — delivering “Right First Time” outcomes.
• Conduct technical reviews of drawings and documentation to ensure accuracy, compliance and consistency with company standards.
• Lead coordination of engineering services across disciplines, ensuring integrated and holistic design solutions (including PHE, Fire Protection and Electrical interfaces).
• Monitor risk, performance and internal controls to maintain quality, programme and cost discipline.
• Identify scope and scheduling changes in line with change control processes, maintaining planning integrity and commercial control.
• Conduct lessons learned reviews to improve productivity and future project delivery.

Project Delivery & Commercial Awareness

• Maintain oversight of commercial dashboards, invoicing and financial performance
• Review project status updates and modify schedules or plans as required.
• Ensure manufacturing, construction, installation and operational testing activities meet functional specifications and client requirements.
• Survey, test and report on existing services installations where required.
• Accept responsibility for additional strategic or operational tasks as required.
• Train, mentor and coach engineering staff to build technical capability and succession strength.
• Support and contribute to the Company’s Technical Committee in advancing design excellence, innovation and compliance.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies, software and industry developments, recommending adoption where beneficial.
• Chair and facilitate technical and coordination meetings effectively.

Client Engagement & Business Development

• Represent the Company at technical meetings with clients, consultants and contractor teams.
• Take an active role in sales and marketing initiatives, supporting proposals and winning new work.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships to support sustainable business growth.
• Promote the Company through participation in industry forums, conferences and trade publications.

About You

You are an accomplished Mechanical engineering leader with the technical depth, commercial insight and leadership capability to deliver complex, mission-critical projects while building and mentoring high-performing teams.

• Bachelor’s degree (BSc / BEng / B. Tech) in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• Postgraduate qualification in Engineering, Project Management or related discipline (advantageous).
• Chartered Engineer status (CEng) or equivalent professional accreditation (advantageous).
• Membership with a recognised professional body (e.g. CIBSE, IMechE or equivalent) preferred.
• Significant experience in Mechanical engineering design and specification across diverse building typologies.
• Proven track record of successfully delivering projects to both technical and commercial objectives.
• Demonstrated experience contributing to business growth, including client development and supporting new work opportunities.
• Experience representing organisations at senior-level client and stakeholder engagements.
• Strong technical expertise in Mechanical systems, with solid understanding of PHE, Fire Protection and Electrical interfaces.
• Sound working knowledge of international codes, standards and health & safety legislation.
• Proficiency in industry-standard design and calculation software (e.g. HAP, Hevacomp, IES, BIM 360 and related tools).
• Experience leading and mentoring multi-disciplinary engineering teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex technical and commercial challenges, making sound and timely decisions.
• Experience driving continuous improvement in engineering design processes and project delivery standards.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, priorities and deadlines effectively.
• Experience identifying and mitigating risks, optimising resources and maintaining programme and cost control.
• Demonstrated ability to take a long-term, strategic view in engineering and commercial decision-making.
• Ability to travel locally and internationally as required to support project and business needs.

What's In It For You

• Work on high-profile data centre and mission critical projects
• Be part of a growing APAC team with international exposure
• Competitive compensation package (commensurate with experience)
• Opportunities for growth and development within a global consultancy