Mechanical Engineer

First Point Group; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 430,000 - 640,000; Full time

Job summary

First Point Group is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design and deliver mechanical systems for data centres and critical infrastructure, focusing on HVAC, cooling, ventilation and piping across the full project lifecycle.

The role requires strong knowledge of thermal-fluid engineering, equipment sizing, tender support, site supervision and coordination with multi-disciplinary teams, with travel as needed.

Qualifications

• BEng, BSc or BTech in Mechanical Engineering.
• ECSA registration as a Candidate Engineer or Candidate Engineering Technologist is advantageous.
• Professional Engineer or Professional Engineering Technologist registration will be beneficial for senior-level candidates.
• Additional training or certification in HVAC, data centre cooling, CFD/FEA, energy efficiency or critical infrastructure will be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical systems for data centres, critical infrastructure and related projects.
• Prepare and review mechanical layouts, schematics, equipment schedules and technical documentation.
• Perform cooling-load, heat-load, airflow, flow-rate, pressure-drop, hydraulic and equipment-sizing calculations.
• Design and specify HVAC and precision cooling systems, including chilled-water and DX systems, CRAC/CRAH units, in-row cooling and associated equipment.
• Design and specify ventilation, heat-rejection, pumping, piping and airflow-management systems.
• Develop mechanical solutions incorporating resilience and redundancy philosophies (N, N+1, N+2, 2N).
• Prepare technical specifications, scopes of work, BOQs, equipment schedules and tender documentation.
• Coordinate mechanical designs with electrical, structural, civil, architectural, controls/BMS and other disciplines.
• Travel locally and internationally to support project sites, installations and commissioning activities when required.

Skills

Thermodynamics

HVAC systems

Data centre cooling

CFD/FEA

Engineering calculations

Education

BEng/BSc/BTech in Mechanical Engineering

ECSA Candidate Engineer/EIT advantageous

Professional Engineer/Technologist registration beneficial

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Inventor

Microsoft Excel/Project

Job description

Mechanical Engineer – Data Centres & Critical Infrastructure

About the Role

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Mechanical Engineer to join our engineering team and contribute to the design, development, implementation and technical support of mechanical systems for data centres, critical infrastructure and related projects.

The successful candidate will develop safe, reliable, maintainable and energy‑efficient mechanical solutions, with a particular focus on HVAC and precision cooling, ventilation, heat rejection, airflow management, piping, pumps, structural and fabrication components, and associated mechanical systems.

This role provides engineering support throughout the full project lifecycle, from concept and detailed design through procurement, manufacture, installation, testing, commissioning and handover.

The Mechanical Engineer will work closely with clients, consultants, suppliers, contractors and multidisciplinary internal teams to ensure that engineering solutions meet applicable standards, client requirements, project specifications, budgets, quality expectations and programme requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical systems for data centres, critical infrastructure and related projects.
• Prepare and review mechanical layouts, schematics, equipment schedules, fabrication drawings and technical documentation.
• Perform cooling-load, heat-load, airflow, flow-rate, pressure-drop, hydraulic and equipment‑sizing calculations.
• Design and specify HVAC and precision cooling systems, including chilled‑water and DX systems, CRAC/CRAH units, in‑row cooling and associated equipment.
• Design and specify ventilation, heat‑rejection, pumping, piping and airflow‑management systems.
• Develop mechanical solutions incorporating appropriate resilience and redundancy philosophies, including N, N+1, N+2 and 2N configurations.
• Select and size pumps, piping, valves, heat‑rejection equipment, condensers, dry coolers, cooling towers and other mechanical equipment as required.
• Prepare technical specifications, scopes of work, BOQs, equipment schedules and tender documentation.
• Review client requirements, tender specifications, drawings and technical documentation and develop compliant engineering solutions.
• Evaluate supplier and subcontractor quotations, technical proposals, equipment selections, drawings and shop drawings.
• Provide technical support to Sales, Projects, Procurement and Operations throughout tendering and project execution.
• Coordinate mechanical designs with electrical, structural, civil, architectural, controls/BMS and other engineering disciplines.
• Conduct site inspections, surveys and technical assessments and identify mechanical constraints, risks and opportunities.
• Provide engineering support during manufacturing, fabrication, installation, testing, commissioning and handover.
• Perform troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis of mechanical and cooling‑system faults and prepare technical reports.
• Ensure designs and installations comply with applicable SANS, ISO, HVAC/mechanical standards, safety regulations and client requirements.
• Maintain accurate engineering calculations, drawings, revisions, technical records and as‑built documentation.
• Liaise professionally with clients, consultants, contractors, suppliers and equipment manufacturers on technical matters.
• Assist with cost optimisation and value engineering while maintaining reliability, safety, maintainability and performance.
• Provide technical input during client meetings, design reviews, project reviews and tender clarification meetings.
• Support the successful delivery of projects within agreed scope, programme, budget, quality and safety requirements.
• Travel locally and internationally to support project sites, installations and commissioning activities when required.

Minimum Requirements

Education

• BEng, BSc or BTech in Mechanical Engineering.
• ECSA registration as a Candidate Engineer or Candidate Engineering Technologist is advantageous.
• Professional Engineer or Professional Engineering Technologist registration will be beneficial for senior‑level candidates.
• Additional training or certification in HVAC, refrigeration, data centre cooling, CFD/FEA, energy efficiency or critical infrastructure will be advantageous.

Experience

• Minimum 3–5 years' relevant mechanical engineering experience.
• Experience in data centres, critical infrastructure, HVAC, industrial facilities, manufacturing or other mission‑critical environments is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in mechanical system design, equipment selection, fabrication/manufacturing, installation, testing and commissioning.
• Experience with HVAC and precision cooling systems, ventilation, heat rejection, chilled‑water and/or DX systems, pumps, piping and airflow management.
• Experience preparing and reviewing mechanical layouts, equipment schedules, fabrication drawings, technical drawings and specifications.
• Experience supporting tenders, BOQs, quotations, technical proposals and supplier evaluations.
• Experience coordinating contractors, suppliers, draughting resources and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Site, installation and commissioning experience will be strongly advantageous.

Technical Knowledge

The successful candidate should have a strong understanding of:

• Thermodynamics, heat transfer and fluid mechanics.
• HVAC and precision cooling systems for data centres and critical environments.
• Cooling-load and heat-load calculations, airflow requirements and environmental design conditions.
• Data centre cooling architectures, resilience and redundancy philosophies.
• Chilled‑water and DX cooling systems.
• CRAC/CRAH units, in‑row cooling and other precision cooling technologies.
• Pumps, piping, valves, pressure‑drop calculations and hydraulic systems.
• Condensers, dry coolers, cooling towers and other heat‑rejection technologies.
• Air distribution, containment, ventilation and airflow management.
• Mechanical fabrication, machining, welding processes, materials and manufacturing methods.
• Structural/mechanical component design and equipment support arrangements.
• FEA and CFD principles for structural, thermal and airflow analysis.
• Equipment maintainability, service access, reliability and lifecycle considerations.
• Mechanical coordination with electrical, controls/BMS, structural, architectural and civil disciplines.
• Applicable SANS, ISO, HVAC/mechanical standards, regulations and occupational health and safety requirements.
• Data centre resilience, availability, maintainability and energy efficiency principles.

Technical Skills

• Mechanical system design and engineering calculations.
• HVAC and precision cooling system sizing.
• Cooling-load, heat-load and airflow calculations.
• Mechanical equipment sizing and selection.
• Pump, piping, valve and heat‑rejection equipment selection.
• Hydraulic and pressure‑drop calculations.
• Development and review of mechanical layouts, schematics and equipment schedules.
• Preparation of fabrication and technical drawings.
• Preparation of BOQs, scopes of work and technical specifications.
• Technical evaluation of supplier quotations, equipment submissions and shop drawings.
• Testing and commissioning of mechanical and cooling systems.
• Fault finding, troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis.
• Preparation of technical reports and engineering documentation.
• AutoCAD proficiency is required.
• Experience with SolidWorks, Inventor or similar 3D mechanical design software is advantageous.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Project.
• Experience with ANSYS or equivalent FEA/CFD software is advantageous.
• Ability to interpret client specifications, tender documentation, engineering drawings and applicable standards.

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver's licence.
• Willingness and ability to travel locally and internationally as required.
• Ability to provide technical support during tenders, client meetings, site activities and project execution.
• Ability to work on project sites and support installation and commissioning activities when required.