Mechanical Engineer, HVAC

Giga Energy; San Francisco, Long Beach, Houston (CA, CA, TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance

Equity (options) in a rapidly growing startup

401(k) with 4% employer match

Unlimited PTO

Parental leave

Job summary

Giga Energy is seeking a Mechanical Engineer for our San Francisco office to lead HVAC and mechanical system design for AI data centers. In this role, you'll handle everything from load calculations to product design documentation using AutoCAD and Revit MEP.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and 3–5 years of HVAC design experience. We offer a salary range of $90,000 - $122,000 USD, along with benefits like unlimited PTO and equity options.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of professional HVAC design experience.
• Proficient in load calculations, psychrometrics, piping and ductwork sizing.
• Strong understanding of ICC/UPC codes and ASHRAE standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead detailed HVAC mechanical design for data center facilities.
• Produce design documentation in AutoCAD and Revit MEP.
• Collaborate with other disciplines to integrate mechanical systems.

Skills

HVAC design

Load calculations

AutoCAD

Revit MEP

Psychrometric analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Trane Trace

Carrier HAP

PipeFlo

Job description

Houston, TX. San Francisco, CA. Long Beach, CA.

Why Join Giga

• The Pace: We're building at a speed most companies talk about but never actually operate at. If you've been bored somewhere else, you won't be here.
• The Impact: Every person at Giga touches the work that matters. No layers, no waiting for approval chains. You'll see your fingerprints on what we ship.
• The Team: A team of operators defining the future of AI infrastructure. We recruit A-players from the most innovative companies in the world, and they choose Giga because the work here means more.
• The Moment: AI doesn't run without power, and that's us. Giga is the picks and shovels behind the AI revolution. This industry is about to explode, and you'll be in the room where it's already happening.

What you’ll do

As a Mechanical Engineer at Giga, you will own HVAC and mechanical system design for AI data center infrastructure from early concept through construction documents. That means load calculations, equipment selections, hydronic system modeling, ductwork and piping sizing — the full scope. You won’t be reviewing someone else’s work; you’ll be producing it. If you’re the kind of engineer who wants to see your designs actually get built — and built fast — this is the role.

Where you’ll work

This role is based out of one of our offices (San Francisco, CA / Long Beach, CA / Houston, TX). We work in person because the best engineering happens when smart people are in the same room.

Responsibilities

• Lead detailed HVAC mechanical design for mission-critical data center facilities, from schematic design through construction documents
• Perform load calculations, psychrometric analysis, ductwork sizing, piping sizing, and equipment selections
• Model and analyze hydronic systems using PipeFlo or equivalent software
• Develop system models and energy analyses using Trane Trace, Carrier HAP, or similar tools
• Produce design documentation in AutoCAD and Revit MEP, maintaining coordination-ready models throughout design phases
• Apply ICC/UPC codes and applicable ASHRAE standards to ensure compliant, optimized designs
• Collaborate with other disciplines to integrate mechanical systems into the broader facility design
• Interface with equipment vendors and contractors to validate selections and support procurement
• Support construction administration, RFI responses, and submittal reviews

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering
• 3–5 years of professional HVAC design experience
• Proficiency in AutoCAD and Revit MEP for system design and modeling
• Proficiency in Trane Trace, Carrier HAP, or similar load calculation software
• Proficiency in PipeFlo or similar hydronic system modeling software
• Strong working knowledge of ICC/UPC codes and ASHRAE standards (62.1, 90.1, 90.4, and related)
• Demonstrated competence in load calculations, psychrometrics, piping and ductwork sizing, and equipment selection

Bonus Points

• Knowledge of mechanical cooling topologies used in data centers: CRAC/CRAH units, chilled water plants, air-cooled chillers, water-side and air-side economization, and evaporative/adiabatic cooling
• Familiarity with high-density and liquid cooling approaches (direct liquid cooling, rear-door heat exchangers, immersion cooling)
• Experience with hydronic system design including primary/secondary loops, variable flow systems, and plant sequencing
• Experience reviewing or performing CFD analysis for airflow and thermal modeling
• Understanding of how mechanical systems integrate with electrical infrastructure (UPS, generators, switchgear)
• Commissioning experience — FAT, SAT, or functional performance testing

Benefits

• Professional Engineer (PE) license, or actively pursuing licensure
• Experience authoring design narratives and basis-of-design documents and presenting them to clients or stakeholders
• Subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance
• Equity (options) in a rapidly growing startup
• 401(k) with 4% employer match
• Unlimited PTO
• Parental leave
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA)

Pay Transparency

The range provided below is the role’s On Target Earnings (OTE) range, meaning it includes both the commission / bonus target and annual base salary for the role (if applicable). This salary range may be inclusive of several career levels at Giga and will be narrowed during the interview process based on a number of factors, including the candidate’s experience and qualifications. Additional benefits include 401(k) plan plus subsidized medical, dental, and vision benefits.

Salary Range

$90,000 - $122,000 USD

Who We Hire

We don't use "A-player" loosely. Here's what it actually means at Giga:

Antifragile. You don't just survive chaos, you get better because of it. When things break, change, or move sideways, you don't freeze. You adapt faster than the problem evolves.

High Agency. You don't wait to be told what to do. You see the gap, you fill it. If something is blocking progress, you find a way around it, over it, or through it without asking for permission.

Executors. Ideas are cheap. We hire people who ship. You're the person who turns a whiteboard sketch into something real while everyone else is still scheduling the next meeting about it.

Bias to Action. Perfect is the enemy of done. You'd rather make a decision with 80% of the information and course correct than sit around waiting for 100% that never comes.

Speed. We move fast because the opportunity demands it. You're not reckless, but you understand that in this industry, the team that moves fastest wins. And you like winning.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Giga Energy is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. Giga Energy complies with all applicable labor laws, including the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and other relevant state and federal regulations. We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage applicants who require accommodations during the hiring process to contact us.