About the Role
Cooling is the defining engineering challenge of the AI era. Rack power densities that were theoretical five years ago are now standard in every sovereign AI and hyperscale project launching in the UAE. The Principal Mechanical Engineer will be the cooling authority at the heart of the regional team, working on mission-critical data center projects as part of the MENA data centre practice, which is being built from the ground up with 450+ dedicated data centre MEP engineers globally.
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Key Responsibilities
The Principal Mechanical Engineer will act as a technical lead and subject matter expert for mission-critical Data Center projects, responsible for end-to-end HVAC design, engineering, coordination, and commissioning support. This role requires complete lifecycle ownership, from concept definition and cooling strategy to detailed design, construction support, commissioning, and performance validation. You will also advise on AI deployment options and examine potential impacts on design by leading cross-disciplinary conversations. Therefore, it is essential to have experience and working knowledge of electrical principles, structural and architectural constraints, DC operations & maintenance requirements, installation, and commissioning procedures.
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Client Engagement & Technical Leadership
- Act as the primary cooling and mechanical technical contact for clients, leading design reviews, strategy presentations, and bid discussions with senior engineering teams.
- Directly engage with client-side subject matter experts, global stakeholders, and multidisciplinary teams.
- Lead technical discussions on design intent, risks, and trade-offs.
- Own preparation of design strategy documents and technical narratives, including Basis of Design (BOD) and Design Basis Reports (DBR).
- Participate in proposal drafting and responses to RFP and TQR.
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Design Leadership & Engineering Ownership
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Data Center Cooling Strategy & System Design
- Own the complete mechanical design, including chilled water plants, direct liquid cooling (DLC), CDU systems, hybrid architectures, heat rejection, ventilation, and fuel systems.
- Design systems for hyperscale and colocation facilities in the 10–100 MW IT load range, from concept through to IFC.
- Handle high-density AI cooling (40–142 kW per rack) and perform CDU sizing, secondary fluid networks, and glycol specifications.
- Ensure compliance with UAE-specific requirements, including ZLD heat rejection and PUE <1.4 under the Dubai Universal Blueprint for AI.
- Lead design of air-cooled and water-cooled chilled water systems (CRAH/CRAC/AHU) and define airflow strategies (hot aisle/cold aisle containment) while establishing resilience strategies (N, N+1, N+2, 2N) aligned with Uptime Tier.
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Engineering Calculations & Technical Validation
- Perform and direct thermal load calculations, hydraulic modelling, and CFD studies for density validation and retrofit assessment.
- Validate control philosophy and Building Management System (BMS)/Energy Management System (EMS) integration requirements.
- Review and ensure alignment of all mechanical engineering calculations with ASHRAE, TIA-942, and Uptime Institute guidelines.
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Detailed Design & BIM Coordination
- Lead the development of concept, schematic, and detailed design (IFC level) documentation.
- Review and approve AutoCAD & BIM (Revit) models at LOD350 with coordinated multi-discipline integration.
- Spot and resolve cross-discipline conflicts at the concept stage (electrical, ELV, fire, structural).
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Project Delivery & Construction Support
- Lead multidisciplinary coordination across Electrical, Structural, Architectural, Fire Protection, and BIM teams.
- Support procurement processes including technical specifications, BOQs, and vendor evaluations.
- Provide technical support during construction, site inspections, and commissioning phases.
Team Leadership & Capability Building
- Develop internal design guidelines and lead the DC Mechanical team.
- Mentor mechanical and HVAC engineers while establishing design standards and best practices.
- Contribute to the DC Academy and regional thought leadership programme, driving design quality, risk management, and technical issue resolution across the team.
Qualifications
Mandatory Skills & Experience
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Technical Expertise
- 8+ years of mechanical engineering experience, with at least 5 years focused on data centre or mission-critical cooling systems.
- Strong track record in chilled water plant design: chillers, pumping configurations, cooling towers, dry coolers, and hydraulic modelling.
- Hands-on experience designing direct liquid cooling systems: CDU specification, secondary fluid networks, glycol systems (PG-25).
- Deep understanding of high-density AI cooling (40 kW/rack and above), AI cluster thermal management, and liquid/air hybrid architecture.
- Knowledge of UAE regulatory landscape: DEWA ZLD compliance, Dubai Universal Blueprint for AI (PUE <1.2), and district cooling integration.
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Tools & Digital Capability
- CFD experience: Ability to direct or personally run studies for density validation and retrofit assessment.
- BIM delivery expertise using Revit at LOD350 with coordinated multi-discipline modelling.
- Proficiency in AutoCAD for detailed mechanical drawings and coordination.
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Communication & Leadership (NON-NEGOTIABLE)
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English – confidence to lead technical discussions at a senior level.
- Ability to mentor engineers and establish design culture and standards.
Qualifications & Experience
- BE / BTech / ME / MTech in Mechanical Engineering.
- Professional registration as a Mechanical Engineer or equivalent.
Good to Have
- Uptime Institute ATD or ATS certification.
- Experience with immersion cooling systems (single-phase or two-phase) and their commissioning.
- Familiarity with high-temperature DLC (30–40°C coolant supply) and free cooling integration in hot climates.
- LEED AP M+E or equivalent sustainability qualification.
- Experience with KSA regulatory landscape and Vision 2030 data centre programme.
- Arabic language skills.
What We Can Offer You
- Investment in your development and a supportive leadership style guided by our Leadership Principles.
- A positive work environment where you can draw inspiration from colleagues, clients, and projects.
- Opportunities for continuous learning characterized by varied tasks across the organization while developing and influencing your own area of responsibility.
