CloudHQ, LLC
Principal Mechanical Engineer, Construction
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Principal Mechanical Engineer, Construction
Principal Mechanical Engineer, Construction – UK/EU
About the Role
At CloudHQ, we deliver flexible, efficient, and resilient data center solutions to businesses worldwide. Founded by a pioneer in data center REITs, we are a rapidly growing organization with state-of-the-art data center sites globally, including Ashburn, London, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Osaka, and São Paulo.
As we expand aggressively into new markets, we are seeking a principal-level Mechanical Engineer with deep expertise in mechanical system design, installation, and commissioning for developer-led data center construction projects. This role will serve as the technical authority for mechanical infrastructure across our hyperscale projects, ensuring scalable, reliable, and energy-efficient systems while leading our Construction Management and Development teams through design, execution, and risk mitigation.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Leadership (Design & Delivery)
- Provide technical guidance and sponsorship for all mechanical system designs in data centers (including HVAC, chillers, cooling towers, fire suppression, fuel delivery, and air-handling units).
- Ensure designs align with CloudHQ’s quality, scalability, reliability, efficiency, and compliance standards.
- Collaborate with engineering, architects, and developers during design reviews to implement redundancy, maintainability, and energy optimization.
- Drive value engineering to improve cost efficiency while upholding performance and reliability.
Construction Oversight & Execution
- Advise Construction Management on installable and functional mechanical systems, from site preparation through phase-out.
- Work hands-on where necessary to test, troubleshoot, and commission systems like chillers, AHUs, cooling towers, and fire suppression.
- Serve as the endpoint technical reviewer to ensure work complies with design intent, adherence to schedule, and operational standards.
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Commissioning & Performance Validation
- Lead factory witness testing and validate critical equipment (e.g., chillers, AHUs, cooling towers, fire suppression components).
- Oversee rigorous commissioning protocols; document testing phases and deviations from specifications.
- Ensure commissioning-spec写出 deliverables validate performance benchmarks and suit handovers to operations
Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure systems comply with EU building codes, fire safety laws, and energy efficiency standards (including LEED/ASHRAE directives).
- Assess risks (financial, schedule, technical) and recommend mitigation strategies.
- Coordinate with internal teams to handle permits, waste CO₂ regulations, and fire impairment processes.
Stakeholder Collaboration & Reputation
- Serve as CloudHQ’s chief advisor on technical matters, from early feasibility studies through final closeout.
- Engage with construction managers, general contractors, design firms, tenants’ representatives, and regulatory bodies externally.
- Reflect CloudHQ expertise when representing us in high-sensitivity collaborative environments.
Documentation & Knowledge Transfer
- Maintain clear technical records of decisions, testing results, and lessons learned.
- Contribute to internal guidelines and best practices for future projects.
- Mentor junior staff, sharing industry trends, codes, and emerging technologies.
Requirements
Technical Expertise
- Deep knowledge of commercial data center mechanical systems, including cooling (direct-to-chip or traditional), HEPA filtration, humidity control, and plant layouts.
- Hands-on experience with HVAC design, chiller plants, AHUs, cooling towers, and pipework.
- Proficiency with fire suppression systems (water mist, inert gas, or other forms).
- Understanding of redundancy (N+X) heartsets, cool storage systems, tri-generation, and space efficiency in hyperscale environments.
- Ability to debug unfamiliar systems and recommend optimizations from mechanical integrity and/or cost perspectives
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Construction & Execution
- On-site experience troubleshooting controls, leaks, and conditioning issues in mechanical systems.
- Modular prefabrication design principles and how they influence system sizing, numbering, and connectivity.
- Leading factory testing for shipments to include performance validation of key components prior to installation.
Regulatory & Sustainability Focus
- Roster of admitted code sets; expertise in UK BS EN 45545, EU CE marking, and regional fire/safety prequalification steps.
- Direct application of BREEAM, sustainable design principles (e.g., free adiabatic evaporative cooling, integrated liquid cooling protocols).
- Portfolio demonstrating low-energy operation while maintaining conformance to IP ratings, airflow thickness requirements
Relationship & Leadership
- Fluent in B2B English for multi-disciplinary reviews, vendor negotiations, and verbal codes clarifications.
- Ability to manage contractors and engineers through remote-provocations (COVID/permits/designer interference).
- Diplomatic authority with unpredictable constraints; rewirement between Commercial, Legal, and Staffing needs of a large build.
Preferred Qualifications
- Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Building Services Engineering, or Construction Management.
- 7+ years in data center mechanical design/installation (aerospace, semiconductor, or pharmaceutical-preferred).
- Certified Professional Technical Engineer credential (MLE, CEng/OtEqMEI, PMI, or similar).
- Green design contributions, such as LEED AP, ASHRAE member, or Division C scheme-lead accreditations.
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