Principal Mechanical Engineer – Development

Who We Are

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, with locations in Ashburn, London, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Osaka, São Paulo, and more.

As we embark on an exciting phase of global growth, we are building a diverse and talented team to drive our success and help shape the future of mission-critical infrastructure at CloudHQ.

Role Overview

The Principal Mechanical Engineer – Development will take ownership of the design, planning, execution, and delivery of advanced mechanical systems for developer-led hyperscale data center projects across Europe. This role combines technical expertise in designing, testing, and optimizing mechanical systems, including HVAC, cooling infrastructure, fire suppression systems, and thermal load management, with project management skills to ensure on-time, within-budget, and compliant delivery across all project phases.

The successful candidate will act as a trusted technical advisor and project leader, collaborating with cross-functional teams, external contractors, and tenants to deliver high-performance, sustainable and mission-critical mechanical infrastructure tailored to meet operational demands and evolving industry standards.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Mechanical Design

• Serve as the subject matter expert for the design and delivery of mechanical systems that meet tiered reliability, scalability, and energy efficiency goals in hyperscale environments.
• Review detailed engineering specifications and calculations for HVAC systems, chilled water networks, air handling units, cooling towers, and fire suppression systems, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
• Optimise efficiency across mechanical systems to achieve maximum performance and minimize operating costs.
• Design redundant mechanical systems to support continuous operations during peak loads and maintenance windows.

Project Management & Lifecycle Oversight

• Lead mechanical scopes across all phases of development, including early-stage development, design reviews, and tendering
• Collaborate with wider development teams during pre-construction planning, providing input on master plans, feasibility studies, and design risk mitigation.
• Support the construction team during construction process, acting as a design guardian and providing engineering support where necessary.
• Manage design consultants throughout the development process across multiple European jurisdictions. 

Compliance & Sustainability Standards

• Ensure all designs comply with European building codes, ASHRAE standards (e.g., TC9.9 for data centers), and ISO directives.
• Incorporate energy optimization technologies and carbon reduction strategies into designs, meeting enterprise sustainability objectives and achieving optimal PUE targets.
• Monitor adherence to environmental regulations, including waste management, material use, and emissions minimisation.

Stakeholder Collaboration & Integration

• Partner with structural and electrical engineers to ensure seamless integration of mechanical systems with building designs and other infrastructure.
• Collaborate with tenant teams to address unique mechanical requirements, tailoring cooling solutions to their requirements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with contractors, vendors, and consultants, ensuring project milestones and performance deliverables are consistently met.
• Lead design team meetings, presenting technical insights and ensuring actionable outcomes for mechanical scopes.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement
• Research emerging industry innovations, including liquid cooling, IoT-controlled sensor technologies, and AI-driven predictive maintenance tools, integrating them into CloudHQ projects where feasible.
• Develop and implement modular mechanical solutions, leveraging prefabrication strategies to reduce construction timelines and costs.
• Introduce advanced monitoring systems to enable operational visibility and real-time performance tuning across mechanical systems.

Technical Expertise

• Expertise in designing and delivering mechanical systems for data centers, including HVAC, cooling infrastructure (air-cooled, water-cooled, hybrid cooling), fire suppression systems, and air distribution networks such as AHUs and pressurized systems.
• Advanced knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat rejection strategies for large-scale mission-critical facilities.
• Proficiency in mechanical system modelling and software tools, including:
• AutoCAD, Revit, and BIM platforms for mechanical design.
• CFD modelling software (e.g., ANSYS, 6Sigma or OpenFOAM) for simulation and optimization.
• Energy modelling systems for efficiency analysis and reporting.

Regulatory Knowledge

• Comprehensive understanding of EU environmental standards, EN & ASHRAE standards, ISO certifications, and local building codes for designing mechanical systems.
• Familiarity with sustainability frameworks and technologies for optimized performance.
• Project Management Skills
• Proven ability to handle complex mechanical scopes across multiple simultaneous projects while maintaining strict adherence to schedules and budgets.
• Skilled in generating detailed documentation, reports, and technical reviews, ensuring compliance across all stages of development.

Soft Skills & Collaboration

• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, capable of working across multidisciplinary teams and with external contractors.
• Leadership experience mentoring junior engineers and fostering technical collaboration within teams.
• Excellent problem-solving skills for resolving on-site challenges and maintaining project alignment.

Travel Flexibility

Willingness to travel regularly within Europe (up to 50% travel based on project needs).

Preferred Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent technical discipline.

Certifications:

Professional certifications such as LEED AP, ASHRAE Certification, or CIBSE/IMECHE Membership are highly desirable.

Experience:

Minimum 10+ years of technical and project management experience delivering mechanical systems for developer-led data center projects, industrial facilities, or similar mission-critical environments.

Languages:

Fluency in English (required); fluency in German, French, or other European languages (preferred) to support regional collaboration.

At CloudHQ, we create cutting-edge data centers that fuel the digital infrastructure of the future. As a Principal Mechanical Engineer– Development, you'll work at the intersection of innovation, technology, and engineering excellence, helping build sustainable facilities in mission-critical environments.

Be part of a team that values collaboration, growth, and impact in the exciting world of hyperscale development.

Apply today Visit our LinkedIn page or contact for more information.