Principal Mechanical Engineer, NA

Vantage Data Centers; Ashburn (VA); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and welfare benefits

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Vantage Data Centers seeks a Principal Engineer, Mechanical Engineering, to define mechanical strategy across North American data center projects and mentor engineering teams. Based in Ashburn, VA or other US locations, this role supports a 3 days onsite / 2 days remote policy, driving design, construction, and operations to deliver reliable, efficient hyperscale facilities.

Strong leadership, technical expertise, and ASHRAE knowledge are essential for success in this senior individual

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 5-8 years in mechanical design, construction, and operations, with data center or mission-critical experience.
• Proven track record leading complex technical initiatives and cross-functional teams.
• Expertise in design and documentation tools (AutoCAD, Revit, BIM, CFD) and reporting (Excel, Power BI).
• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
• Deep knowledge of building codes, standards, and industry best practices (ASHRAE).
• Travel up to 15-25% expected.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive mechanical engineering strategy across North American data center projects.
• Lead complex technical problem-solving and provide expert guidance on design, construction, and operations.
• Influence engineering standards, design principles, and long-term planning.
• Provide technical leadership on major projects and review critical design decisions.
• Support commissioning, turnover, and operational readiness activities.
• Collaborate with electrical, architectural, operations, and innovation teams.
• Mentor engineers and contribute to onboarding and development.
• Stay ahead of industry trends to improve system performance and efficiency.

Skills

Mechanical design

Construction

Operations

AutoCAD

Revit

BIM

CFD modeling

Excel

Power BI

ASHRAE knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

BIM

CFD modeling

Job description

About Vantage

Vantage powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world's well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

Position Overview

This position can be based in any of our US locations: Denver, CO; Phoenix, AZ; Santa Clara, TX; Ashburn, VA; New Albany, OH, Shackelford County, TX; Atlanta, GA; Quincy, WA in accordance with our flexible work policy (3 days onsite required, 2 days remote).

Vantage is seeking aPrincipal Engineer, Mechanical Engineeringto serve as a senior technical leader within the Design Engineering Department, driving innovation, quality, and performance across hyperscale data center projects. This individual contributor role is responsible for setting engineering direction, solving complex technical challenges, and influencing cross-functional initiatives. The Principal Engineer will act as a trusted advisor across teams, mentor other engineers, and represent the mechanical discipline in strategic planning and customer engagements.

Essential Job Functions

Technical Strategy & Leadership:

• Define and drive mechanical engineering strategy across North American data center projects.
• Lead complex technical problem-solving and provide expert guidance on design, construction, and operations.
• Influence engineering standards, design principles, and long-term planning across the organization.

Project & Initiative Oversight:

• Provide technical leadership on major projects and initiatives, ensuring alignment with business goals.
• Review and approve critical design decisions, submittals, and change management actions.
• Support commissioning, turnover, and operational readiness activities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Partner with internal teams including electrical, architectural, operations, and innovation engineering to ensure integrated solutions.
• Represent mechanical engineering in Centers of Excellence (CoE), strategic forums, and executive-level discussions.
• Support customer-facing engagements, including RFP responses, technical presentations, and post-lease coordination.

Mentorship & Technical Development:

• Mentor and support engineers across all levels, fostering technical growth and knowledge sharing.
• Contribute to onboarding, training, and development of mechanical engineering talent.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and technical excellence.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement:

• Stay ahead of industry trends and emerging technologies, applying insights to improve system performance and efficiency.
• Lead efforts to refine Vantage's mechanical design standards and best practices.
• Conduct forensic analysis and root cause investigations for operational issues and failures.

Additional Duties:

• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• 5-8 years of experience in mechanical design, construction, and operations, with data center or mission-critical experience required.
• Proven track record of leading complex technical initiatives and influencing cross-functional teams.
• Expertise in design and documentation tools (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit, BIM, CFD modeling) and reporting platforms (e.g., Excel, Power BI).
• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
• Deep knowledge of building codes, standards, and industry best practices (e.g., ASHRAE).
• Travel is expected to be up to 15-25% but may increase as the business evolves.

Physical Demands and Special Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop or kneel; talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Additional Details

• Salary Range: $170,000-185,000 Base + Bonus (this range is based on Colorado market data and may vary in other locations)
• This position is eligible for company benefits including but not limited to medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and AD&D, short and long-term disability coverage, paid time off, employee assistance, participation in a 401k program that includes company match, and many other additional voluntary benefits.
• Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including your qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience and may fall outside of the range shown.
• #LI-AP2 #LI-Hybrid

We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other's strengths and respecting each other's weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.

Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community.

Vantage is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Vantage does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage.