Senior Mechanical Engineer - Data Centers

SSOE Group; Columbia (SC); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work options

Competitive salary and bonus program

Health, dental, vision insurance

401k with company match

PTO and paid holidays

Job summary

SSOE Group is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer – Data Centers to lead mechanical design for data center facilities and AI factory programs. You will collaborate with in-house engineering and architecture teams to ensure projects meet industry standards from scope development through commissioning and start‑up.

This role targets high‑performance environments across North America, requiring strong leadership, client engagement, and travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited program.
• PE license with ability to register in additional states.
• At least 12 years of mechanical engineering experience; data center design required.
• Experience with HVAC, chilled water, air handling, containment, and building systems.
• Knowledge of local codes and international standards; experience with Revit.
• Strong leadership and communication skills; valid driver’s license and passport.

Responsibilities

• Act as mechanical discipline project lead in a multi-disciplinary design team with strong client engagement.
• Manage the team to meet contracted scope, schedule, and budget on data center projects.
• Create technical plans, specifications, drawings, and models for piping, HVAC, plumbing, fire protection and related systems.
• Maintain effective communication with project team and client.
• Coordinate work with other disciplines and perform quality reviews.
• Travel as required and participate in proposal activities.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Client engagement

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering

PE License

Tools

Revit

Job description

SSOE is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer – Data Centers who will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of data center facilities and high‑performance AI factory design. In this role, you will work closely with an exceptional and fully integrated staff of in‑house engineering and architecture teams to ensure that these critical projects meet and exceed industry standards from scope development to commissioning and start‑up. SSOE brings decades of experience in power‑intensive, high‑tech, and mission‑critical environments throughout North America, making us an excellent choice for your next career move.

Responsibilities

• Acts as a mechanical discipline project lead in a multi‑discipline design team, overseeing a multi‑location production team, with strong client engagement skills.
• Responsible for the performance of the team to contracted scope, schedule, and budget on medium‑ to large‑sized data center design projects. Manage technical resources to accomplish project objectives.
• Generate comprehensive technical project plans, specifications, drawings, and models aligned with industry standards and client requirements for piping, HVAC, plumbing, fire protection systems, and related mechanical building systems, including clean/dry rooms.
• Maintain effective communication with project team members and with the client.
• Coordinate work with other disciplines.
• Use engineering and design software and equipment to perform engineering tasks.
• Responsible for the completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of the work.
• Responsible for overall quality management of the team. Perform quality reviews of project deliverables to ensure accuracy, conformance to codes, specifications, design criteria, and good engineering practices.
• Participate in managing change for deviations in scope, schedule, or professional services for the discipline.
• Meet with contractors to discuss technical aspects of project design and construction.
• Conduct field verification and site walks to identify, validate, resolve, and integrate solutions into design packages.
• Resolve design issues on site during construction, as necessary.
• Provide leadership, guidance, monitoring, and coaching of less experienced staff.
• Participate in proposal preparation activities to establish scope of services, effort hour estimator(s), exclusions/clarifications, deliverables, and staffing/work plans to align with project schedule.
• Travel required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited university program.
• PE (Professional Engineer’s) License with the ability to become registered in additional states.
• At least 12 years of mechanical engineering experience. Experience in designing data center facilities is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge or experience with designs containing HVAC, chilled/condenser water/liquid‑cooled systems, air handling systems, hot/cold aisle containment, utility piping and plumbing systems and other similar mechanical building systems.
• Knowledge of relevant local building codes and international standards to ensure compliance.
• Experience working with Revit.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Valid passport for occasional project‑related international travel.

Benefits

• A hybrid or fully remote work schedule option for this role, providing you with the flexibility to achieve work‑life balance while excelling in your career.
• Competitive Salary: $130k – $170k / year depending on location, education, experience, and certifications.
• Bonus and Incentives: Eligibility for our annual target bonus/incentive program based on company and individual performance and goals.
• Ownership Opportunities: As an employee‑owned firm, we offer ownership opportunities to all employees at the associate level and above. This senior associate level role will allow you to become a shareholder of SSOE.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, 401k retirement savings plan (with company matching), professional development and training, generous PTO, and paid holidays.
• Continuous Learning: Embrace a culture of perpetual learning where curiosity is celebrated, innovative ideas are welcomed, and your career growth aspirations are fully supported.
• Career Stability: A diversity of market sectors, project types, and geographic locations that help insulate your career from economic ups and downs.
• Career Advancement: Embark on a structured career journey with abundant opportunities for growth and advancement.
• Holistic Compensation: A holistic approach to compensation and benefits that supports your physical and mental health, encourages work‑life balance, and empowers your career advancement and financial success.