Senior Mechanical Engineer

TA Digital Group; Ashburn (VA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A data infrastructure solutions provider based in Ashburn, Virginia is looking for a Principal / Senior Mechanical Engineer to provide internal technical leadership for data center developments. The ideal candidate will have over 7 years of experience in mechanical engineering, particularly in mission-critical facilities. Responsibilities include leading mechanical system strategy, overseeing external consultants, and ensuring compliance with tenant requirements. Strong communication skills and proficiency in tools like Microsoft Office and Bluebeam are essential. The role may require up to 30% travel.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in mechanical engineering or owner-side engineering roles.
• Experience overseeing third-party engineering firms and reviewing designs.
• Strong experience with air-cooled chiller systems required.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical system strategy and cooling architecture selection.
• Support client mechanical programming and manage external consultants.
• Review mechanical designs and equipment selections across project phases.

Skills

Mechanical system strategy

Air-cooled chiller systems

Client-facing communication

Construction support

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Bluebeam

Job description

At TA Digital Group (TADG) we build some of the world’s most complex mission critical environments. Serving our hyperscale customer base requires strategic and tactical leadership skills to manage these exciting projects from inception through delivery. Our work makes the digital world possible, and you will build the home for some of the most exciting innovations in history.

TADG is an affiliate of TA Realty LLC. We leverage over 40 years of real estate expertise to deliver scalable digital infrastructure solutions tailored to the hyperscale and enterprise sectors. Focused on data centers within mature and emerging digital ecosystems, TADG offers a comprehensive range of solutions, including build-to-suit, turnkey, powered shell, and fee development, ensuring flexibility and adaptability for diverse user needs.

Job Location: Ashburn VA, Atlanta GA, Chicago IL, Hybrid, Remote

JOB SUMMARY

The Principal / Senior Mechanical Engineer provides internal technical leadership and risk management support for data center developments from early site evaluation through Issue-For-Construction (IFC) design. This role is responsible for client programming, oversight of external design consultants, review of equipment and system selections, and ensuring mechanical designs align with tenant requirements, utility constraints, constructability, and long‑term operational objectives.

This role is not primarily a production design role, but rather an owner‑side engineering position focused on technical diligence, standardization, and decision‑making across turnkey and powered shell data center projects. This position plays a critical role in managing technical risk across primarily air‑cooled chiller‑based facilities, while also supporting the company’s evolution toward liquid cooling and AI‑driven workloads.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following:

• Serve as the internal mechanical subject matter expert supporting development, design, construction, and strategy teams across assigned projects.
• Lead mechanical system strategy, including cooling architecture selection, redundancy philosophies, and scalability planning.
• Support early‑stage site evaluation with particular emphasis on water use, heat rejection strategies, and coordination with water authorities and utilities.
• Lead or support client (tenant) mechanical programming efforts, including review of technical matrices, performance requirements, and basis‑of‑design documentation.
• Oversee and technically manage external mechanical engineering consultants to ensure alignment with internal standards, tenant requirements, codes, and schedule.
• Review mechanical designs at all phases, including chilled water systems, CRAH/CRAC strategies, heat rejection equipment, controls/BMS integration, and make‑up water systems.
• Review major mechanical equipment selections and submittals, ensuring suitability for hyperscale, AI, and high‑density deployments.
• Support both:
• Turnkey projects: ensuring full mechanical system compliance through the data hall.
• Powered shell projects: ensuring base building infrastructure provides flexibility for future tenant build‑outs.
• Provide technical input to RFQs/RFPs, tenant proposals, and responses to client technical inquiries.
• Contribute to platform standardization, including development of mechanical design standards and reference configurations.
• Support construction and commissioning phases as required, including responses to RFIs and participation in startup or acceptance activities.
• Represent the company in project meetings with internal stakeholders, consultants, utilities, and tenants.
• Travel up to ~30% as required by project needs, with flexibility during early project phases.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• External consultant supervision only.
• This role may mentor junior engineers or design managers but does not initially require direct reports.
• This role may evolve into a discipline lead position depending on experience and organizational needs.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform all of the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities (and others in accordance with applicable law) to perform the essential functions of the job, consistent with applicable laws and company policy.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent applicable professional experience.
• 7+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, design management, or owner‑side engineering roles.
• Prior data center or mission‑critical facilities experience required.
• Demonstrated client‑facing experience, including participation in technical workshops or programming sessions.
• Experience overseeing third‑party engineering firms and reviewing designs and equipment submittals.
• Strong experience with air‑cooled chiller systems required; exposure to liquid‑to‑chip or hybrid cooling solutions strongly preferred.
• Field or field‑facing experience (construction support, commissioning, or startup) preferred.
• Ability to balance standardization with client‑specific requirements in a fast‑moving development environment.
• Strong communication skills and ability to represent the company in client‑facing settings.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Bluebeam.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

TA Digital is an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive company culture. TA Digital does not discriminate against candidates and employees on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status under law.

DISCLAIMER

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.