Senior Mechanical Engineer

Staffworks Group; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Staffworks Group in Charlotte, NC is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead planning, installation, commissioning, and startup of complex mechanical systems for mission-critical and data center projects. This role serves as the mechanical SME for project teams and clients, ensuring performance, quality, schedule, and budget targets.

You will collaborate with owners, design consultants, subcontractors, and commissioning agents from preconstruction through turnover, while mentoring engineers

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 8 to 15+ years of mechanical engineering or mission-critical experience.
• Experience managing large-scale HVAC and mechanical systems.
• Strong ability to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications.
• Knowledge of ASHRAE guidelines and data center cooling technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design reviews and coordination meetings.
• Oversee installation of mechanical systems including cooling towers, AHUs, pumps.
• Conduct field inspections and quality audits.
• Review RFIs, submittals, and change requests.
• Coordinate with owners, consultants, subcontractors through turnover.
• Lead mechanical coordination for Tier III/IV data center environments.

Skills

HVAC systems

Project leadership

Data center cooling

Commissioning

Reading construction drawings

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

PE license

Job description

Senior Mechanical Engineer, Mission Critical

Location: Charlotte, NC

Business Unit: Advanced Facilities Group (Data Centers / Mission Critical)

Position Summary

The Senior Mechanical Engineer provides technical leadership and oversight for the planning, coordination, installation, commissioning, and startup of complex mechanical systems on mission-critical and data center projects. This role serves as the primary mechanical subject matter expert for project teams and clients, ensuring mechanical systems meet performance, quality, schedule, and budget requirements.

The Senior Mechanical Engineer collaborates closely with owners, design consultants, subcontractors, commissioning agents, and construction leadership from preconstruction through project turnover.

Key Responsibilities

Preconstruction & Design

• Review and evaluate mechanical system designs for constructability, efficiency, maintainability, and cost.
• Lead mechanical design reviews and coordination meetings.
• Perform technical evaluations of HVAC, chilled water, condenser water, and heat-rejection systems.
• Develop conceptual and budgetary mechanical estimates.
• Assist in value engineering and lifecycle cost analysis.
• Support procurement strategy and subcontractor selection.

Construction Execution

• Oversee installation of mechanical systems including:
• Cooling towers
• CRAH/CRAC units
• Air handling units
• Pumps
• Hydronic piping systems
• Building automation systems
• Conduct field inspections and quality audits.
• Monitor subcontractor performance and schedule adherence.
• Resolve field conflicts and design issues.
• Review RFIs, submittals, shop drawings, and change requests.

Data Center / Mission Critical Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical coordination for Tier III and Tier IV critical environments.
• Verify redundancy requirements including N+1, 2N, and concurrently maintainable system configurations.
• Review sequence of operations and controls integration.
• Participate in integrated systems testing and startup activities.
• Support operational readiness planning and turnover.

Commissioning & Startup

• Develop commissioning and turnover strategies.
• Coordinate with third-party commissioning providers.
• Witness equipment startup and performance testing.
• Review pre-functional and functional test procedures.
• Lead mechanical troubleshooting during commissioning.
• Verify all systems meet owner project requirements prior to turnover.

Leadership

• Mentor M/E Engineers and Project Engineers.
• Provide guidance on best practices, safety, quality, and risk management.
• Serve as the mechanical technical lead for project teams.
• Support business development pursuits and client presentations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or related field.
• 8 to 15+ years of mechanical engineering, construction, commissioning, or mission-critical experience.
• Experience managing large-scale HVAC and mechanical systems.
• Strong understanding of:
• Chilled water systems
• Central utility plants
• Building automation systems
• Data center cooling technologies
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications.
• Understanding of commissioning and startup processes.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• PE (Professional Engineer) license.
• Data center, semiconductor, advanced manufacturing, or mission-critical experience.
• Experience with hyperscale clients such as:
• Microsoft
• Google
• Meta
• AWS
• Apple
• Knowledge of ASHRAE thermal guidelines and Uptime Institute concepts.
• LEED, CxA, CCP, or similar certifications.