Senior Mechanical Systems Engineer

AFE; Fort Worth (TX); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

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Benefits

Job summary

AFE is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer with deep HVAC and chilled-water expertise for data center environments. You will lead the mechanical integration of TES systems into cooling plants from design through commissioning across the U.S. This is a home-based role; candidates near Dallas–Fort Worth are a plus but strong candidates anywhere in the U.S.

are encouraged to apply. Responsibilities include leading design and integration, coordinating with operators and contractors, and developing

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in HVAC, chilled water systems, or energy infrastructure.
• Prior data center or mission-critical facility experience is a plus.
• PE license is preferred but not required for all candidates.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design and integration for TES and chilled water systems.
• Develop and review P&IDs, hydronic piping layouts, equipment arrangements, valve schedules, and control interfaces.
• Perform hydraulic and pipe stress analysis to support design and code documentation.
• Interface with data center operators, MEP firms, and commissioning teams.
• Support field activities: site surveys, startup, commissioning, and functional testing.
• Develop automation tools (Python, Excel/VBA) to streamline analysis and documentation.
• Mentor junior engineers as the team grows.

Skills

HVAC expertise

Data center experience

Mentoring / leadership

Education

B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering

PE license preferred

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Plant 3D

Job description

THE ROLE
We are looking for a Senior Mechanical Engineer with deep HVAC and chilled-water expertise and hands-on experience in data center or other mission-critical environments. The selected candidate will lead the mechanical integration of TES systems into existing and new cooling plants — from design through commissioning across the U.S. This is a home-based role; candidates near Dallas-Fort Worth are a plus but strong candidates anywhere in the U.S. are encouraged to apply.

Highlights:

• Title: Senior Mechanical Systems Engineer
• Reporting to: Senior VP Engineering & Operations
• Location: Home-based (U.S.); Dallas-Fort Worth area a plus
• Travel: Domestic, 20% of time
• Compensation: Base, benefits, stock options

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead mechanical design and integration for TES and chilled water systems
• Develop and review P&IDs, hydronic piping layouts, equipment arrangements, valve schedules, and control integration interfaces
• Perform hydraulic and pipe stress analysis to support system design and code-compliant documentation
• Integrate with chillers, cooling towers, heat exchangers, pumps, and BAS/BMS systems
• Interface with data center operators, MEP firms, mechanical contractors and design engineers, controls integrators, and commissioning teams
• Support field activities: site surveys, startup, commissioning, functional testing
• Provide technical input and mechanical narratives during presales and proposal/RFP activities
• Develop and apply automation tools (Python, Excel/VBA, or similar) to streamline engineering analysis and documentation
• Collaborate with global R&D and product teams to refine system design and deployment methods
• Mentor junior engineers as the team grows

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering; PE license preferred
• 5+ years of experience in HVAC, chilled water systems, or energy infrastructure
• Prior experience in data centers or other mission-critical facilities — advantage
• Strong working knowledge of hydronic systems, thermodynamics, cooling plants, and BAS/BMS integration
• Experience coordinating across mechanical, controls, and electrical disciplines
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit, and/or Plant 3D
• Familiarity with commissioning and field execution processes

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with Thermal Energy Storage systems
• Familiarity with data center cooling architectures (air-side, water-side economization, etc.)
• Experience with industrial refrigeration or low-temperature glycol systems
• Knowledge of ASHRAE, ASME (including B31.3), IPC, NEC, and U.S. building codes
• Experience with hydraulic and pipe stress analysis software (e.g., Pipe-Flo, AutoPIPE) and energy/load modeling tools (e.g., Trace, HAP)
• Experience using Python, VBA, Dynamo, or AI tools to automate engineering workflows
• Experience developing RFP/proposal content and technical narratives
• Experience in retrofit or operational facility environments
• Startup or fast-growth company experience is a plus
• Military veterans encouraged to apply — leadership and field-operations experience translate well to this role