Principal Mechanical Engineer, Construction

At CloudHQ, our mission is to 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 in locations such as Ashburn, London, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Osaka, and São Paulo. As we embark on an exciting phase of global growth, we are looking for top-tier talent to drive our success and shape the future of CloudHQ.

Role Overview 

The Principal Mechanical Engineer, Construction, Subject Matter Expert (SME) will provide specialized expertise in the design, installation, and commissioning of mechanical systems for developer-led data center construction projects across Europe. Acting as a technical authority, the SME will ensure mechanical systems such as HVAC infrastructure, cooling systems, and fire suppression systems are designed and delivered efficiently, meeting the highest standards for scalability, reliability, energy efficiency, and compliance. As a key advisor to CloudHQ's Construction Management and Development teams, the Mechanical SME will guide technical decisions, resolve challenges, and ensure best practices and innovations are incorporated into all project phases.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Expertise in Mechanical Design and Delivery

• Serve as CloudHQ's technical leader for mechanical systems, including:
  • HVAC systems
  • Chillers and cooling towers
  • Fire suppression systems
  • Fuel delivery systems
  • Air-handling and distribution systems (AHUs)
• Provide guidance during architectural and engineering design reviews to ensure mechanical systems adhere to CloudHQ standards, tenant requirements, and operational goals.
• Ensure designs incorporate redundancy, maintainability, and energy optimization for hyperscale environments.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external consultants to establish technical performance guidelines for mechanical infrastructure.
• Identify opportunities for value engineering to improve cost efficiency while maintaining quality and operational requirements.

Construction Oversight and Execution

• Support the Construction Management team during installation and commissioning phases by providing technical guidance on:
  • Installation best practices for HVAC and cooling systems
  • Optimization of fire suppression system deployment
• Work on-site as necessary to oversee mechanical system testing, troubleshooting, and final handover to operations.
• Proactively resolve on-site technical issues, ensuring alignment with design intent, schedule milestones, and operational standards.

Commissioning and Performance Validation

• Lead factory witness testing and validate critical system performance for equipment such as:
  • Chillers
  • Air handling units (AHUs)
  • Cooling towers
  • Fire suppression systems
• Oversee commissioning activities for mechanical systems to ensure quality and compliance with specifications.
• Collaborate with commissioning agents and contractors to ensure all equipment undergoes rigorous testing and meets performance benchmarks prior to operational handover.
• Provide detailed documentation and performance analysis for final commissioning reports.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure mechanical designs and installations comply with European Union building codes, fire safety regulations, and environmental standards for energy efficiency and sustainability.
• Assess risks associated with mechanical system design or delivery and develop mitigation strategies to minimize delays or disruptions.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure regulatory and tenant-specific compliance, including permitting processes and fire impairment management.

Stakeholder Collaboration and Leadership

• Act as a trusted technical advisor across all project phases, providing subject matter expertise to internal construction, engineering, and development teams.
• Collaborate with general contractors, consultants, vendors, and operations teams to align mechanical system delivery with overall project goals.
• Engage with tenants and their engineering teams to tailor mechanical infrastructure solutions to meet unique requirements.
• Represent CloudHQ in external meetings with contractors, utilities, equipment manufacturers, and regulatory bodies.

Documentation and Knowledge Sharing

• Maintain comprehensive and accurate technical records for design decisions, testing results, and commissioning reports.
• Contribute to best-practice frameworks by incorporating lessons learned into future projects.
• Mentor CloudHQ staff on mechanical systems, sharing industry trends, emerging innovations, and deep technical insights.  

Technical Leadership in Mechanical Systems

• Expertise in designing and managing mechanical systems for mission-critical facilities such as data centers, pharmaceutical plants, semiconductor facilities, or other large-scale industrial builds.
• In-depth experience with:
  • HVAC systems and cooling infrastructure
  • Fire suppression systems (e.g., water mist, gas suppression)
  • Chillers, cooling towers, and heat rejection systems
  • Air distribution systems (AHUs, CRAC)
  • Redundancy and scalability concepts for mechanical systems
• Strong ability to identify and implement value engineering solutions without compromising reliability or performance.

Construction Oversight and Practical Experience

• Hands-on experience in installation and commissioning of mechanical systems for hyperscale environments, with proven ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues on-site.
• Knowledge of prefabrication techniques and modular construction methodologies for mechanical systems.
• Experience leading factory witness testing and validating field equipment performance for critical infrastructure.

Code Compliance and Sustainability Expertise

• Comprehensive understanding of European building codes, safety regulations, and energy efficiency practices for mechanical infrastructures
• Demonstrated application of sustainability principles, including designs that reduce energy consumption while optimizing cooling system performance.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams, tenants, and external contractors on complex projects.
• Proven ability to manage relationships with industry stakeholders such as consultants, vendors, and regulatory agencies.

Problem Solving and Leadership

• Proactive problem solver capable of addressing technical challenges quickly while balancing project timelines, budgets, and operational goals.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to guide teams and ensure alignment of project stakeholders during critical phases of mechanical scopes.
   

Preferred Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or Building Services Engineering.

Experience

• Minimum of 7+ years of experience designing or managing mechanical systems delivery for data centers or industrial-scale environments.

Certifications

• Professional certifications such as CEng, LEED AP, or ASHRAE certifications are highly desirable.