Mechanical Engineer, Data Center Operations Engineering

Meta; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 234,000; Full time

Job summary

Meta seeks a senior Mechanical Engineer to lead data center operations engineering initiatives across a global hyperscale portfolio. You will drive technically complex projects, mentor engineers, and act as escalation point for mechanical system issues, focusing on thermal energy, fluid distribution, and load management.

Expertise in HVAC, psychrometrics, heat transfer, and AI-enabled workflow optimization is valued. Expect 10–30% travel to sites for studies, commissioning, and audits.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional experience in data center engineering, mission-critical design, operations, or related industry.
• Strong communication skills to present to peers, partners, and leadership.
• Experience with project management and driving complex projects with competing demands.
• Experience with data analysis and computer‑based mathematical analysis.
• Expertise in psychrometrics, heat transfer, humidity control, and fluid dynamics.
• Knowledge of HVAC components, chilled water distribution, condenser water systems and air distribution.

Responsibilities

• Lead technically complex mechanical engineering projects for facilities infrastructure operations, cross‑functionally with design teams, construction, field operations, vendors, and R&D.
• Serve as engineering escalation point for technically complex mechanical system issues in data centers.
• Troubleshoot and engineer enhancements and corrective actions for designs and implementation processes.
• Conduct analyses and audits of mechanical system utilization across the fleet.
• Develop measurements and reports from BMS and monitoring systems to optimize performance and reliability.
• Evaluate systems for load management, capacity planning, and engineering metrics.

Skills

Data center experience

Project management

HVAC design

Psychrometrics

Heat transfer

Fluid dynamics

BMS analysis

AI tools integration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

Energy simulation software

Hydraulic simulation

BMS programs

PLC controls

Job description

Meta is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to join our Data Center Operations Engineering team. Our data centers are the foundation upon which our rapidly growing infrastructure efficiently operates and our innovative services are delivered. The Operations Engineering team delivers proactive and responsive full-life-cycle engineering expertise to the teams who operate and support our expanding global fleet of data centers. Mechanical Engineers are involved in all aspects of data center operations, essential to ensuring effective thermal energy and fluid distribution, sequenced system operations, monitoring feedback and analysis. They provide direct support to our field teams for new construction, site-specific projects, and global-level programmatic efforts. As a staff-level engineer, you will serve as a technical leader and escalation point for complex mechanical system issues, driving operational excellence across Meta's hyperscale data center portfolio.

Mechanical Engineer, Data Center Operations Engineering Responsibilities

• Lead technically complex mechanical engineering projects for the facilities infrastructure operations team, working cross-functionally with design teams, construction, field operations, vendors, and R&D
• Serve as the engineering point of escalation for technically complex mechanical system issues that occur in our data centers
• Troubleshoot and engineer enhancements and corrective actions for designs and implementation processes/methods
• Conduct detailed analyses and audits of mechanical system utilization across the data center fleet
• Develop effective measurements and reports from Building Management System (BMS) and other monitoring systems to optimize performance and reliability
• Evaluate systems to perform effective and efficient load management and capacity planning, including monitoring, trending, and developing engineering metrics and statistical data for strategic planning
• Review new and retrofit mechanical designs, commissioning plans, and critical operational procedures
• Review mechanical as-built technical documentation, verify accuracy, investigate actual site conditions, and update records
• Develop and generate specifications, RFPs, ROMs, and SOWs for projects
• Evaluate facility processes and industry best practices to drive efficiencies and effectiveness
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to other engineers, establishing best practices and elevating the overall quality of mechanical engineering across the organization
• Travel 10-30% to data center and vendor sites for engineering studies, on‑site technical support, mechanical systems audits, startup testing, and full commissioning

Minimum Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional experience in data center engineering, mission-critical design, construction, operations, maintenance, or related industry
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• Experience researching, diagnosing, troubleshooting, and identifying solutions to resolve mechanical system issues
• Experience clearly communicating technical issues and presenting to peers, partners, and leadership
• Experience with project management and driving complex projects by prioritizing competing demands based on impact, deadlines, and stakeholder needs
• Experience with computer-based mathematical analysis and data analysis
• Expertise in psychrometrics, heat transfer fundamentals, humidity control, and fluid dynamics
• Knowledge of major HVAC components, chilled water distribution schemes, condenser water systems, and air distribution methods
• Knowledge of water treatment systems, including reverse osmosis (RO) plants and pre-treatment processes such as water softening and filtration
• Familiarity with control systems and mechanical automation systems
• Ability to navigate and apply industry standards, building codes, and safety standards, including ASHRAE and SMACNA guidelines

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies
• Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies
• Experience navigating through Building Management System (BMS) programs
• Cross-discipline knowledge of multiple critical facility systems
• Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews)
• Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews)
• 5+ years of HVAC design experience
• Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements)
• Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements)
• Mechanical Professional Engineer (PE) registration or local equivalent
• Experience in project management, project engineering, or operations management beyond the field technician level
• Familiarity with industry software tools for energy simulation, hydraulic simulation, and psychrometric analysis
• Design or operations experience with data center-specific technology including liquid cooling, modular central plants, technical water loops, PLC controls, and large-scale evaporative cooling systems

About Meta

Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today-beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.

Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affrinative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.

Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at [e-mail].

$170,000/year to $234,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits

Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.