Senior Mechanical Program Engineer, Data Center Cooling

Hamilton Barnes Associates Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Hamilton Barnes Associates Limited is seeking a Principal Mechanical Program Engineer to lead mechanical design and cooling strategy across a growing EMEA data centre portfolio. You will drive engineering standards, oversee CFD analyses, and guide procurement and project teams to deliver high-performance infrastructure.

The role requires a degree in mechanical engineering and 10+ years in data center environments, with strong stakeholder leadership and travel across the region.

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• 10+ years' experience in data center or mission-critical environments.
• Strong knowledge of data center cooling systems, chilled water infrastructure, CRAH/CRAC systems, HVAC design, and heat rejection systems.
• Control strategies and BMS integration.
• Proven experience performing CFD modelling and thermal analysis.
• Understanding of ASHRAE guidelines, pPUE and energy efficiency metrics, and building/fire codes.
• Experience with large-scale EMEA data center developments.
• Strong stakeholder management and technical leadership skills.
• Willingness to travel across EMEA when required.

Responsibilities

• Provide mechanical engineering leadership for site selection, master planning, and early-stage development activities.
• Review site acquisition opportunities, campus layouts, and test-fit designs from a mechanical perspective.
• Support mechanical design strategy across multiple EMEA data center projects.
• Lead development and maintenance of mechanical design standards, specifications, and engineering guidelines.
• Drive standardisation of cooling infrastructure and mechanical equipment across the portfolio.
• Support procurement teams with technical evaluation and vendor engagement for major mechanical equipment packages.
• Develop and assess value engineering initiatives and innovation opportunities.
• Support implementation of modular and prefabricated design solutions using DfMA principles.
• Conduct CFD modelling and thermal analysis to validate cooling strategies and airflow performance.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to project engineering teams.
• Ensure mechanical systems are coordinated with electrical, structural, architectural, and operational requirements.
• Support project teams through design reviews, troubleshooting, and specialist technical input when required.

Skills

Degree in Mechanical Engineering

10+ years data center experience

Data center cooling systems

Chilled water infrastructure

CRAH / CRAC systems

HVAC design

Heat rejection systems

Control strategies and BMS integration

CFD modelling and thermal analysis

ASHRAE guidelines

pPUE and energy efficiency metrics

Building and fire codes knowledge

Mission-critical infrastructure design

Stakeholder management

Willingness to travel across EMEA

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline

Job description

Hamilton Barnes Associates Limited is seeking a Principal Mechanical Program Engineer to lead mechanical design and cooling strategy across a growing EMEA data centre portfolio. You will drive engineering standards, oversee CFD analyses, and guide procurement and project teams to deliver high-performance infrastructure.

The role requires a degree in mechanical engineering and 10+ years in data center environments, with strong stakeholder leadership and travel across the region.