Manager / Senior Manager – Mechanical Design & Engineering (Data Center)

Leadingnation; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Leadingnation is seeking a Manager/Senior Manager – Mechanical Design & Engineering to lead mechanical design for mission-critical data centers. You will drive cooling, HVAC, fire protection, pumping, and drainage from concept through commissioning, collaborating with executives and consultants, and traveling regionally in APAC.

The role requires a Mechanical Engineering degree and 5+ years’ experience in data-center environments, with expertise in ASHRAE 9.9, Uptime Tier III/IV, and NFPA

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related discipline.
• 5+ years direct hands-on mechanical design in data center or mission-critical environments.
• Deep mastery of data center systems: chilled water, Direct-to-Chip LC, HVAC, fire suppression, pumping, drainage.
• Proficiency with ASHRAE 9.9, Uptime Tier III/IV, TIA-942, NFPA standards.
• Strong AutoCAD and thermal modeling software skills.
• Willingness to travel across APAC.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design and optimization of HVAC, liquid cooling, thermal management, and drainage for hyperscale data centers.
• Develop high-level concept designs, cooling load models, space studies, sustainability benchmarks (PUE/WUE).
• Collaborate with internal leadership, client teams, and external consultants across all project phases.
• Oversee external consultants delivering mechanical packages (chilled water, DX units, Direct-to-Chip LC).
• Ensure designs meet client specs, regulatory frameworks, and international standards.

Skills

Mechanical design

Data center cooling

HVAC systems

Chilled water

Direct-to-Chip cooling

AutoCAD

CFD/thermal modeling

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

CFD software

Thermal modeling

Job description

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Our client is one of Asia’s fastest-scaling digital infrastructure platforms, offering market-leading colocation, build-to-suit, managed services, and interconnection solutions for global hyperscalers, large enterprises, and high-density AI workloads. Operating across key high-growth markets in the APAC region.

Backed by top-tier global infrastructure investors, the company sets itself apart through AI-optimized infrastructure, ultra-efficient mechanical engineering, sustainable renewable power integration, and sovereign-grade compliance to deliver future-ready mission-critical operations.

ROLE SUMMARY

The Manager / Senior Manager – Mechanical Design & Engineering will serve as a key technical lead across mission-critical facilities, driving mechanical engineering design and strategy for data center infrastructure. Working directly alongside client executives and internal group-level decision-makers, this role oversees cooling and thermal management, HVAC, fire protection, pumping, and drainage systems from initial concept through to final commissioning.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Engineering Leadership: Lead the technical design and optimization of advanced HVAC, liquid cooling, thermal management, firefighting, and drainage systems for hyperscale and AI-ready data center facilities.
• Early-Stage Planning: Develop high-level concept designs, cooling load models, space allocation studies, and critical sustainability benchmarks—including Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE).
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with internal leadership, global client teams, and external engineering consultants across all project phases, from initial feasibility and schematic design through to detailed engineering and site administration.
• Consultant Management: Oversee external consulting teams delivering detailed engineering packages for critical mechanical architecture, including chilled water plants, DX units, Fan Wall / CRAC units, heat rejection systems, and Direct-to-Chip Liquid Cooling solutions.
• Compliance & Standards: Ensure all mechanical designs strictly adhere to client specifications, regional regulatory frameworks, corporate sustainability targets, and international industry standards (ASHRAE TC 9.9, Uptime Institute Tier III/IV, TIA-942, NFPA).
• Vendor & Technical Reviews: Conduct technical specification evaluations with equipment vendors and lead design review workshops with key external stakeholders.
• Testing & Commissioning (T&C): Review and validate engineering documentation, commissioning scripts, and field T&C procedures for critical mechanical assets.
• Site Execution & Regional Travel: Attend site meetings, perform quality inspections, witness commissioning activities, and travel regionally as required to support overseas developments.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Building Services Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

COMPETENCIES & REQUIREMENTS

Core Technical Expertise (Essential)

• Domain Experience: 5+ years of direct, hands-on mechanical engineering and design background within data center or mission-critical environments.
• Specialized Infrastructure: Deep, end-to-end technical mastery of critical data center systems, including chilled water architecture, Direct-to-Chip liquid cooling, HVAC, fire suppression, pumping, and drainage.
• Industry Standards: Advanced technical literacy in ASHRAE TC 9.9 Thermal Guidelines, Uptime Institute Tier III/IV design topologies, and TIA-942 / NFPA standards.
• Software & Design Tools: High proficiency in AutoCAD and industry-standard mechanical calculation, CFD, or thermal modeling software, alongside Microsoft Office Suite.
• Mobility: Willingness and flexibility to travel across the APAC region to support site inspections, client reviews, and commissioning milestones.

Professional Qualities & Credentials (Preferred)

• Industry Credentials: Chartered status (CEng / HKIE) or accredited data center certifications (e.g., ATD - Accredited Tier Designer) strongly preferred.
• Strategic Problem-Solving: Sharp technical decision-making skills with a proactive, self-driven approach to solving complex engineering challenges.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Proven track record of collaborating effectively with internal C-suite stakeholders, external consultants, and client teams.
• Language Capabilities: Fluency in written and spoken English is required; working knowledge of Cantonese or Mandarin is an advantage.