Principal - Mechancial (Data Centres)

Jacobs; City of Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Well-being benefits

Hybrid work policy

Inclusion and wellbeing programs

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to shape the next generation of high‑performance data centre facilities across Australia and New Zealand. You will lead complex mechanical design and guide multidisciplinary teams from concept through commissioning to deliver resilient, efficient infrastructure for hyperscale clients.

We value experience with mission‑critical facilities and strong client engagement.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering complex mechanical engineering projects in data centres or mission-critical facilities.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary design teams on major projects.
• Strong understanding of mission-critical mechanical systems and infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex mechanical design and provide technical leadership across major hyperscale and data centre projects in AU/NZ.
• Lead multidisciplinary design teams from concept through commissioning.
• Drive reliability, efficiency, constructability, and long-term performance for client facilities.
• Shape client relationships and contribute to industry thought leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Mechanical design leadership

Cross-disciplinary teams

Client relationship building

Project delivery

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Chartered Engineer preferred

Job description

Overview

At Jacobs, we are challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing. Our Advanced Facilities business partners with leading hyperscale technology companies, developers and operators to deliver mission‑critical infrastructure that enables the digital economy.

As our Data Centre business grows across Australia and New Zealand, we are looking for an exceptional Principal Mechanical Engineer to shape the next generation of high‑performance facilities and influence Jacobs’ Data Centre strategy.

What You’ll Do

• Lead complex mechanical design and provide technical leadership across major hyperscale, colocation and mission‑critical facility projects throughout Australia and New Zealand.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams through every phase of project delivery — from concept design through commissioning — ensuring innovative, practical and resilient mechanical engineering solutions.
• Help clients achieve world‑class outcomes in reliability, efficiency, constructability and long‑term operational performance.
• Shape client relationships, grow market presence, mentor future leaders, contribute to industry thought leadership and influence how mission‑critical facilities are designed for the future.

Here’s What You’ll Need

• Extensive experience delivering complex mechanical engineering projects within Data Centres, Mission Critical Facilities, Advanced Facilities or similarly demanding environments.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary design teams on major engineering projects.
• Strong understanding of mission‑critical mechanical systems and infrastructure.
• Experience working directly with hyperscale clients, developers or major infrastructure owners.
• Demonstrated commercial awareness and client relationship capability.
• Degree qualifications in Mechanical Engineering.
• Chartered Engineer (or equivalent professional accreditation) preferred.

Why Jacobs

We offer flexible working arrangements, benefits and opportunities ranging from well‑being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program. Our commitment to inclusion, belonging and workplace wellness is supported by a comprehensive suite of wellbeing resources and recognised by WGEA for 12 consecutive years as an employer of choice for gender equality.

Cultural Support
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply. Jacobs aims to provide cultural safety at our interviews. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are invited to nominate a cultural representative to participate on the interview panel; please let your recruiter know in your application.

We value collaboration and believe that in‑person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.