Principal Mechanical Engineer

About the role

AESG is looking for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead the design and delivery of mission‑critical data centre facilities across the EMEA region. Reporting to the Head of Mission Critical, you will combine hands‑on engineering expertise with client‑facing responsibilities, guiding projects from early advisory stages through construction and commissioning.

Key responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design for data centre projects, including chilled water plants, air handling systems, and high‑density cooling solutions.
• Provide technical advisory services and support contractors during construction and commissioning phases.
• Manage senior‑level client relationships, develop proposals, and negotiate fees.
• Ensure designs comply with regional codes, standards (ASHRAE, NFPA) and energy‑efficiency targets (PUE, DCiE).
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams and mentor junior engineers.

Required profile

• 10+ years of progressive mechanical engineering experience, primarily in data centre or mission‑critical facilities.
• Proven track record delivering projects for major data centre owners/operators in the GCC and EMEA.
• Strong business development and political acumen to navigate complex stakeholder environments.
• Excellent communication and client‑management skills.

Required skills

• Chilled water plant design (chillers, pumps, distribution networks).
• Air handling and distribution systems (CRAH, CRAC, ducting, containment strategies).
• High‑density cooling solutions (direct liquid cooling, rear‑door heat exchangers).
• Fire suppression systems (clean agent, water‑based).
• Energy‑efficient HVAC design, economizers, free cooling.
• Load calculations, thermal modelling, pipe sizing, hydraulic calculations, system balancing.
• Knowledge of ASHRAE 90.1, ASHRAE TC 9.9, NFPA codes.
• Understanding of energy metrics such as PUE and DCiE.