Principal Mechanical Engineer

Talent Works; Newport; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Our client is a global leader in data centre infrastructure, seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join the EMEA design team. You will provide technical leadership across multiple data centre projects, shaping mechanical standards, supporting site development and driving standardisation for scalable, modular solutions.

In this role you will collaborate with project engineers and multidisciplinary teams, applying DfMA principles and CFD studies to optimize airflow, heat transfer and system

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical discipline.
• Chartered Engineer or Professional Engineer accreditation would be advantageous.
• 10+ years’ experience as a Mechanical Engineer, with a strong focus on data centres or other mission-critical environments.
• Experience working within EMEA construction markets.
• Strong knowledge of critical cooling infrastructure and an understanding of critical power infrastructure within a data centre environment.
• Knowledge of HVAC systems, including control logic and feedback loops.
• A strong understanding of data centre performance metrics, including pPUE and ASHRAE allowable temperatures.
• Working knowledge of relevant building regulations and fire codes.
• Experience developing, reviewing or improving mechanical engineering standards and specifications.
• Knowledge of modular, prefabricated and standardised engineering solutions.
• Experience with, or a strong understanding of, CFD analysis and its application to airflow and thermal performance.
• The ability to communicate complex technical information clearly and work effectively with a range of stakeholders.
• A collaborative approach, with a willingness to share knowledge, learn from others and contribute new ideas.

Responsibilities

• Provide mechanical engineering expertise to support site selection, new site development and project initiation.
• Review and contribute to early-stage planning, Campus Master Planning and Test-Fit Designs.
• Help ensure engineering solutions and design assumptions support project and business objectives.
• Act as a senior technical expert when engaging with customers, investors and other key stakeholders.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Data centres

CFD analysis

HVAC systems

DfMA

Project leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder collaboration

EMEA markets

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Chartered Engineer

Tools

CFD software

Job description

Our client is a global leader in the development of hyperscale and mission-critical data centre infrastructure. Operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, they design, build and operate resilient, sustainable digital infrastructure for some of the world's leading technology companies.

They are looking for an experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer to join their growing EMEA Design team.

This is an exciting opportunity for a senior mechanical engineering professional to play a key role in shaping the mechanical systems, design standards and future development of large-scale digital infrastructure.

The Opportunity

As Principal Mechanical Engineer, you will operate at a programme level, providing technical leadership and support across multiple data centre projects.

You will work closely with project engineers and multidisciplinary teams, helping to shape mechanical design standards, support new site development, drive product and equipment standardisation, and develop innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of the data centre industry.

This role offers the opportunity to combine deep technical expertise with innovation, collaboration and strategic thinking.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide mechanical engineering expertise to support site selection, new site development and project initiation.
• Review and contribute to early-stage planning, Campus Master Planning and Test-Fit Designs.
• Help ensure engineering solutions and design assumptions support project and business objectives.
• Act as a senior technical expert when engaging with customers, investors and other key stakeholders.

Product Development & Standardisation

• Lead on mechanical elements of product requirements, guidelines and engineering standards.
• Manage mechanical design changes and support the development of solutions for evolving AI and liquid cooling requirements.
• Develop and continuously improve mechanical design standards and specifications.
• Incorporate lessons learned, value engineering opportunities, consistency and system reliability into future designs.
• Support the development and optimisation of standardised mechanical equipment and OFCI solutions.
• Work closely with procurement teams and equipment vendors, providing technical guidance and expertise.
• Identify and evaluate engineering innovation and value engineering opportunities, considering both technical and commercial benefits.
• Apply Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) principles to develop modular, standardised and prefabricated solutions across HVAC, cooling and pipework systems.
• Support the development of scalable and repeatable building blocks that can be applied across multiple projects.
• Carry out CFD studies to assess airflow, heat transfer and system performance under different operating conditions.

Technical Leadership & Collaboration

• Provide technical guidance, support and expertise to Project Mechanical Engineers.
• Help ensure project teams have access to the knowledge, processes and tools needed to deliver high-quality mechanical and fire protection solutions.
• Work collaboratively with sustainability, electrical, structural, architectural, construction and operations teams to ensure fully coordinated design solutions.
• Align mechanical solutions with wider stakeholder requirements, including client, operational and construction needs.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for someone with strong mechanical engineering experience and a passion for developing innovative, reliable and scalable solutions within complex, mission-critical environments.

You may be a great fit if you have:

• A Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Chartered Engineer, Professional Engineer or similar accreditation would be advantageous.
• 10+ years’ experience as a Mechanical Engineer, with a strong focus on data centres or other mission-critical environments.
• Experience working within EMEA construction markets.
• Strong knowledge of critical cooling infrastructure and an understanding of critical power infrastructure within a data centre environment.
• Knowledge of HVAC systems, including control logic and feedback loops.
• A strong understanding of data centre performance metrics, including pPUE and ASHRAE allowable temperatures.
• Working knowledge of relevant building regulations and fire codes.
• Experience developing, reviewing or improving mechanical engineering standards and specifications.
• Knowledge of modular, prefabricated and standardised engineering solutions.
• Experience with, or a strong understanding of, CFD analysis and its application to airflow and thermal performance.
• The ability to communicate complex technical information clearly and work effectively with a range of stakeholders.
• A collaborative approach, with a willingness to share knowledge, learn from others and contribute new ideas.