Senior Principal, Data Center Mechanical Engineering

Fleet Data Centers designs, builds and operates mega-scale data center campuses. Fleet provides its customers flexibility and predictability to meet their upside demand forecasts, addressing a key need in the market as traditional leased models are struggling to keep pace with the demand for new Cloud and AI infrastructure. Fleet is led by a team of industry veterans that have already made a lasting imprint on the evolution of global digital infrastructure and are committed and uniquely capable of upleveling data center development scale and operations in the face of rising demand. Fleet is well positioned to bring in-house design, engineering and operational capabilities to collaborate with customers on tailored solutions for campuses of 500MW . This unique model enables Fleet to provide the world’s largest and most sophisticated customers a seamless extension of their own data center fleets with constant access to design innovation. Fleet is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with satellite offices in Seattle, WA and Arlington, VA.

Position Overview:

The Senior Principal, Data Center Mechanical Engineering will be responsible for leading the design, development, and implementation of cutting-edge mechanical systems in highly efficient, scalable, and sustainable data centers. This role involves working with cross-functional teams to ensure best-in-class mechanical systems that support massive cloud operations across multiple regions.

The ideal candidate will be a technical expert in mechanical systems engineering, with a deep understanding of data center operations, sustainability initiatives, and reliability requirements. Knowledge of all aspects of mechanical engineering is required, including central utility plants, built-up mechanical rooms, packaged equipment, chilled water equipment and piping, DX systems, airside and water-side economization, humidity control, and value engineering as the relate to designing state-of-the-art data centers. Knowledge in the areas of plumbing, fire protection design and acoustic engineering for data centers is also required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Mechanical System Design and Implementation
• Direct customer interaction to translate server, storage, and network equipment performance needs into data center infrastructure specifications and system designs.
• Lead the design and development of mechanical systems for large-scale data centers, including HVAC, cooling, chiller plants, rack-based cooling, and fire protection systems.
• Provide mechanical design oversight throughout the project lifecycle, from concept to commissioning, ensuring all systems are energy-efficient and meet performance standards.
• Develop innovative cooling solutions that reduce water and energy consumption and operational costs while maintaining high availability and reliability.
• Drive sustainability initiatives, such as water conservation and heat reuse.
• Project Management & Stakeholder Collaboration
• Manage large-scale, multi-site projects across global regions, ensuring the on-time delivery of mechanical engineering systems and solutions.
• Collaborate with electrical engineering, structural engineering, network, controls, and operations teams to integrate mechanical systems with other data center components.
• Work closely with vendors and contractors to ensure all mechanical systems meet quality, safety, and operational standards, as well as company specifications.
• Act as the main point of contact for all mechanical systems-related decisions and collaborate with senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Technical Leadership and Innovation
• Stay at the forefront of industry trends and innovations in data center mechanical engineering, with a focus on energy efficiency and future scalability.
• Mentor and lead junior and mid-level mechanical engineers, ensuring team development and promoting a culture of continuous learning.
• Oversee technical troubleshooting and optimization of existing mechanical systems to enhance performance and reduce energy consumption.
• Develop and refine mechanical design standards and guidelines to ensure consistent and efficient mechanical systems across all data centers.
• Compliance and Risk Management
• Ensure all mechanical designs and systems comply with local, state, and federal regulations, including ASHRAE standards as required by customers, building codes, and environmental requirements.
• Assess and mitigate risks related to mechanical system failures, thermal performance, and energy consumption, with a focus on minimizing downtime.
• Lead root-cause analysis and provide technical solutions for any system failures or incidents to improve future design resilience.
  
  

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field (master’s or Ph.D. preferred).
• 15 years of experience in mechanical engineering, with at least 8 years focused on data center design and operations.
• Proven track record of delivering mechanical systems for large-scale data center projects, including experience with HVAC and cooling systems, chiller plants, rack-based cooling, and fire suppression systems.
• Extensive experience with mechanical design software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit, CFD, etc.) and proficiency in tools for modeling and analyzing thermal and fluid dynamics.
• Expertise in sustainability, energy efficiency, and cost-saving measures related to data center mechanical systems.
• Communication: Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable strategies for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Stakeholder Management: Strong ability to influence and manage key stakeholders across engineering, product, and operations teams.
• Analytical Skills: Demonstrated success in analyzing program data, defining KPIs, and reporting on success metrics.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• License: Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Experience working in global data center projects, navigating region-specific regulations and environmental conditions.
• Hyperscaler: Familiarity with (AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle Cloud, and Meta) cloud providers’ data center requirements.
• Cloud Certifications: Relevant cloud certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Azure Fundamentals, etc.).
• Global Experience: Experience leading product launches in global markets, including knowledge of international land, energy and/or data center regulations and compliance.
• Technical Background: A strong technical understanding of cloud services, networking, and software development lifecycles.
• Vendor Management: Experience managing third-party vendors or contractors in the data center product, construction and/or engineering launch lifecycle.
  
  

Key Competencies:

• Integrity and Ethical Standards: Build trust, ensure fairness, and foster long-term, transparent relationships with suppliers.
• Effective Communication: The ability to clearly convey expectations and requirements to suppliers and negotiation parties, while understanding their needs and concerns. Comfortable delivering written and verbal presentations to internal leadership teams.
• Emotional Intelligence (EQ): Ability to understand the emotions, cultural nuances, and motivations of others, while effectively managing one’s own emotions during high-pressure negotiations.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think big picture while also managing granular details.
• Adaptability: Proven track record of managing change and ambiguity in a fast-paced environment.
• Leadership and team-building skills: Ability to manage cross-functional teams and external vendors.
• Experience with complex, multi-site projects: Manage multiple projects under tight deadlines and deliver exceptional results.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills: Capable of interfacing with senior leadership and diverse stakeholders.
• Creative problem-solver: Ability to troubleshoot and optimize system performance effectively.
  
  

Working Conditions:

• This role requires occasional travel to data center sites across multiple regions (up to 25% travel).
• Ability to work in both office environments and active construction sites, adhering to all safety protocols.
  
  

Expected Salary Range: $180,000 – $240,000 plus Bonus.

Fleet Data Centers Employment:

Fleet Data Center employees enjoy competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including 100% employer-covered medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401K program, standard paid holidays, and unlimited PTO.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the organization’s ongoing needs.

Fleet Data Centers is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment regardless of age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.

If you need assistance applying for any of our open positions, please contact us at info@fleetdatacenters.com.