Mechanical Lead – Data Centres

Location: London / Remote Working
Salary: £180,000 – £200,000 + package
Sector: Data Centres / Mission Critical / Infrastructure
Employment Type: Permanent
Working Arrangement: Remote-first, with occasional travel

The Opportunity

We are seeking an exceptional Mechanical Lead to take technical ownership of the mechanical engineering function across major data centre and mission-critical projects. This is a senior leadership position for an experienced mechanical engineer with a strong background in data centres, hyperscale, colocation, or other mission-critical environments.

You will lead the mechanical design strategy from concept through detailed design, construction, commissioning, and operational handover, acting as the senior technical authority for mechanical and cooling systems. The successful candidate will have the technical credibility to challenge designs, lead engineering teams, engage directly with clients and stakeholders, and shape mechanical engineering standards across major data centre developments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical engineering and design strategy for major data centre developments.
• Take ownership of mechanical design from concept and feasibility through detailed design, construction, and commissioning.
• Develop and approve mechanical design philosophies, specifications, and engineering standards.
• Lead data centre cooling strategies, including chilled water, DX, air-cooled, and water-cooled systems.
• Oversee the design of chillers, cooling towers, dry coolers, heat exchangers, pumps, and associated mechanical infrastructure.
• Lead the design of CRAH/CRAC systems, air handling systems, and precision cooling solutions.
• Develop mechanical resilience strategies including N, N+1, 2N, and 2N+1 configurations.
• Lead cooling capacity planning and thermal load assessments.
• Develop cooling strategies for high-density and AI/GPU data centre environments.
• Provide technical leadership on liquid cooling and direct-to-chip cooling solutions.
• Oversee chilled-water, condenser-water, and LTHW distribution systems.
• Lead ventilation, smoke control, and associated mechanical building services.
• Coordinate mechanical systems with electrical infrastructure, BMS, EPMS, controls, and specialist systems.
• Lead technical design reviews, peer reviews, value engineering, and design assurance.
• Review and approve mechanical calculations, specifications, drawings, and technical submissions.
• Provide technical direction to consultants, contractors, suppliers, and specialist subcontractors.
• Act as the senior mechanical point of contact for clients and key stakeholders.
• Lead engineering workshops and technical meetings.
• Develop and mentor senior engineers, associates, and wider engineering teams.
• Support project bids, proposals, technical strategies, and client presentations.
• Establish and maintain mechanical engineering quality standards and best practice.
• Drive energy efficiency, water efficiency, and PUE/WUE optimisation across projects.
• Support procurement and technical evaluation of major mechanical plant and equipment.
• Review contractor technical submissions and equipment selections.
• Support construction, installation, testing, and commissioning activities.
• Develop commissioning philosophies and support FAT, SAT, and Integrated Systems Testing.
• Lead technical investigations, root-cause analysis, and resolution of mechanical issues.
• Identify project risks and develop appropriate technical mitigation strategies.
• Drive standardisation and repeatable mechanical design solutions across the data centre portfolio.