Mechanical Engineer (Data Center Systems) - Experienced - On-site

Usi Insurance; Town of Texas (WI); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer (Data Center MEP Systems) to design and specify cooling, piping, and associated infrastructure for high-availability data centers. You will work with vendors and internal teams to meet performance, code, and safety requirements on critical cooling plants.

The role requires hands-on design review, startup site visits, and strong knowledge of ASHRAE guidelines, water treatment, and grid-ready infrastructure. Travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline required.
• 5+ years of mechanical/plumbing design experience for mission-critical facilities or data centers.

Responsibilities

• Design and specify mechanical cooling systems for data center facilities: chilled water plants, CRAH/CRAC units, air handling units, and cooling towers.
• Own plumbing system design: domestic water, sanitary, storm drainage, makeup water, and process piping for cooling systems.
• Evaluate and specify facility liquid cooling infrastructure (direct-to-chip, rear-door heat exchangers, immersion cooling).
• Perform heat load calculations, airflow modeling, and capacity planning to ensure design requirements are met.
• Develop piping design, pump sizing, and hydraulic calculations for chilled water and condenser water loops.
• Review and coordinate mechanical/plumbing drawings with architectural, electrical, structural, and fire protection disciplines.
• Support commissioning of mechanical systems: functional performance testing, IST, and level 5 commissioning for critical cooling infrastructure.
• Work with equipment vendors on technical specifications and factory witness testing.
• Troubleshoot operational issues in existing facilities; water treatment, pump cavitation, control valve failures.
• Support due diligence and technical evaluation for new site selection including utility water availability.

Skills

Mechanical design

Plumbing design

Heat load calculations

HVAC systems

Data center knowledge

Commissioning

Vendor coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

P&IDs

Job description

Mechanical Engineer (Data Center Systems) - Experienced

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal ofenabling human life on Mars.

Mechanical Engineer (Data Center MEP Systems)

SpaceX is looking for an MEP Engineer with deep mechanical and plumbing expertise to design, specify, and commission the cooling and fluid systems that keep our data centerinfrastructure running. This role sits at the intersection of critical facilities engineering andthe physical plant — you’ll be equally comfortable in a design review and walking amechanical room during startup.

Job Responsibilities

• Design and specify mechanical cooling systems for data center facilities: chilled water plants, CRAH/CRAC units, air handling units, and cooling towers
• Own plumbing system design: domestic water, sanitary, storm drainage, makeup water, and process piping for cooling systems
• Evaluate and specify facility liquid cooling infrastructure (direct-to-chip, rear-door heat exchangers, immersion cooling)
• Perform heat load calculations, airflow modeling, and capacity planning to ensure design requirements are met
• Develop piping design, pump sizing, and hydraulic calculations for chilled water and condenser water loops
• Review and coordinate mechanical/plumbing drawings with architectural, electrical, structural, and fire protection disciplines
• Support commissioning of mechanical systems: functional performance testing, integrated systems testing (IST), and level 5 commissioning for critical cooling infrastructure
• Work directly with equipment vendors (chillers, CRAH units, pumps, cooling towers) on technical specifications and factory witness testing
• Troubleshoot operational issues in existing facilities — water treatment, pump cavitation, control valve failures, capacity shortfalls
• Support due diligence and technical evaluation for new site selection, including utility water availability and existing mechanical infrastructure condition

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline
• 5+ years of experience in mechanical/plumbing design for mission-critical facilities, data centers, or comparable industrial environments

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Working knowledge of HVAC and hydronic system design: chilled water plants, cooling towers, air handling systems
• Experience with plumbing system design and code compliance (domestic water, sanitary, storm drainage)
• Ability to read and produce mechanical/plumbing construction documents, P&IDs, and equipment schedules
• Direct data center design or operations experience, ideally at hyperscale or colocation facility scale
• Experience with liquid cooling technologies: direct-to-chip, rear-door heat exchangers, or immersion cooling systems
• Familiarity with Uptime Institute Tier standards and ASHRAE TC9.9 data center thermal guidelines
• Commissioning experience, including functional performance testing (FPT) andintegrated systems testing (IST)
• Experience with water treatment systems and makeup water strategy for evaporative cooling systems
• Knowledge of relevant codes: ASHRAE 90.1, IPC/UPC plumbing codes, NFPA where applicable
• Experience working alongside electrical and controls engineers to ensure integrated BMS/EPMS operation
• Comfort working in a fast-moving environment where facility capacity has to keep pace with compute deployment schedules

Additional Requirements:

• Must be available to work extended hours and weekends when needed based on site operational needs; flexibility required
• Willingness to travel to job sites during construction, commissioning, and critical operational events