Associate / Lead Mechanical Engineer - Data Centre (m/f/d)

Arup; Kraków; Hybrid; PLN 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Mentoring program

Arup University

Profit sharing

Pension scheme

Mobility program

Job summary

Arup is seeking an Associate/Lead Mechanical Engineer for Data Centres in Europe, with a focus on innovative, energy‑efficient designs and leadership across projects from concept to handover. You’ll shape strategy, mentor teams, and engage with clients to deliver resilient, cost‑effective solutions.

You will work on medium to large mission‑critical data centre projects, influencing through design standards, BIM workflows, and advanced modelling while collaborating with global colleagues and

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent with leadership experience on mission‑critical mechanical design.
• Deep expertise in precision cooling and data centre design, from due diligence to handover.
• Knowledge of German codes/standards (HOAI, RIBA) and international best practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for mechanical systems on mission‑critical projects (cooling, HVAC, public health, fire protection, energy systems).
• Lead client engagement, translating business objectives into sustainable, resilient mechanical designs.
• Oversee design quality and deliverables to ensure compliance and coordination.
• Coordinate with stakeholders and present complex solutions clearly to clients and authorities.
• Mentor engineers and drive standards, digital workflows, and innovation in data centre design.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Data centre experience

Revit MEP / BIM

CFD

English (fluent)

German or Polish ability

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Revit MEP

CFD software

Job description

Associate / Lead Mechanical Engineer – Data Centre (m/w/d)

Shape a future with purpose at Arup in Germany or Poland. Engineer innovative and sustainable solutions for the future of data centres.

Overview

Arup’s international and multidisciplinary team in Frankfurt is at the forefront of designing innovative and energy‑efficient data centres, ensuring performance, cost‑efficiency, and sustainability.

Opportunity

Join our team of passionate design engineers and help us create high‑quality, sustainable, and innovative data centre structures. You will work on medium to large‑scale mission‑critical projects, covering all stages of design – from concept to construction supervision and handover.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for mechanical systems across medium to large‑scale mission‑critical projects, including cooling, HVAC, public health, fire protection, diesel supply, and energy systems.
• Lead strategic client engagement, translating client business objectives into innovative, sustainable, resilient, and cost‑effective mechanical design solutions.
• Oversee design quality and technical delivery, including the preparation, review, and approval of design deliverables to ensure compliance, coordination, and alignment with project goals.
• Influence and coordinate across stakeholders, presenting complex technical solutions clearly to clients, authorities, consultants, and multidisciplinary teams while promoting best practice and innovation.
• Develop people, standards, and capability by mentoring engineers, improving design standards and digital workflows, and driving efficiency, sustainability, and innovation in data centre design across local, regional, and global teams.

Requirements

• Degree‑qualified in Mechanical Engineering or an equivalent discipline, with extensive experience designing mission‑critical mechanical systems in a leadership position, preferably with a strong track record in data centre projects.
• Deep technical expertise in precision cooling and mission‑critical mechanical design, including experience across site selection, technical due diligence, permitting, detailed design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and handover.
• Strong knowledge of relevant delivery standards and methodologies, including German codes and standards, international best practice, RIBA, HOAI, and hyperscale delivery approaches.
• Proven experience with digital design and engineering workflows, including Revit MEP / BIM, CFD, hydraulic studies, and other tools that support high‑quality, coordinated mechanical design.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and strategic advisory skills, with the ability to align engineering solutions with client and business objectives – fluent English required, with good German (B1 level) or Polish language skills strongly preferred.

Benefits

• Flexible working – choice of full or part time model, the ability to work outside of the office for a portion of your workweek and up to 20 days a year working from another country.
• Personal development – mentoring program, various trainings (e.g. language courses for German and English) and individual development opportunities through Arup University.
• Perspectives abroad – the opportunity to apply for short (6 months) or longer (1 to 2 years) assignments in other Arup offices worldwide.
• Profit sharing – twice‑yearly profit distribution based on Arup's global performance (profit shares), not on individual performance or turnover targets.
• Welfare & Family – company pension plan, occupational disability insurance, mobility (e.g. Swapfiets rental bike), day‑care allowance and, in Berlin, a day‑care place with our cooperation partner, if required.

At Arup, we are proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer and are committed to building a workplace that reflects the rich diversity of the world around us. We actively promote a culture of inclusion where everyone feels welcome, respected, and valued. We welcome applications from talented individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender identity or expression, disability, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible.