Director, Mechanical Engineering, NA

Director, Mechanical Engineering

Vantage is looking for a driven Director, Mechanical Engineering to provide overall leadership for our development of data center space for current and future projects. This position will oversee the mechanical aspect of new product development, new industry design trends, innovations, changes in code requirements and all aspects of Design Engineering. As a leader, you will be responsible for managing a team with multiple projects related and product development tasks with competing priorities ensuring all projects are in alignment with strategic corporate objectives.

Collaboration and integration in the sales lifecycle process including client interface is integral to the role. Constant communication with facilities operation, sales and marketing department and other subject matter experts will ensure that the design of new facilities will maintain and enhance Vantage's product and service offering.

This role can be based in any of our US locations:
Denver, CO;
Phoenix, AZ;
Santa Clara, CA; or Ashburn, VA in alignment with our flexible work policy (3 days onsite, 2 days flexible).

• Strategic Leadership
• Define and drive the vision for design and engineering initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and industry best practices.
• Lead strategic planning for engineering projects, balancing innovation with operational excellence.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and design methodologies to enhance enterprise value and maintain competitive advantage.
• Represent the organization in industry forums and maintain strong engagement with the data center engineering community to stay ahead of trends.
• Influence & Collaboration
• Build strong relationships across internal teams (Construction, Mission Critical Operation, Market Development, Sales) and external stakeholders (Consultants, Vendors, Contractors).
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing insights that influence business strategy and product development.
• Foster a culture of collaboration and innovation through initiatives like the "Employee Think Tank," ensuring ideas are heard and acted upon.
• Communicate effectively with department leadership through reports and presentations that drive informed decision-making.
• Autonomy & Decision-Making
• Exercise independent judgment in managing engineering activities from concept through commissioning across the portfolio.
• Drive design and engineering decisions to conclusion, balancing technical requirements, budget constraints, and business priorities.
• Oversee consultant/vendor qualification and make recommendations for technology adoption and deployment.
• Ensure lessons learned are integrated into processes to promote continuous improvement.
• Managerial Capacity
• Provide thought leadership and accountability for team performance, budget, and schedule adherence.
• Oversee QA/QC processes, while mentoring and developing engineering staff, fostering professional growth and technical excellence.
• Manage team workload effectively to maintain balance, drive efficiency while ensuring timely delivery of high-quality work products.
• Recruit, lead, and manage high-performing mechanical SME team – driving collaboration, accountability, and delivering excellence.
• Nature of Work
• Lead all aspects of Mechanical Design and Engineering, including site assessment, conceptual design, basis of design, scope of work, and development of construction documents.
• Oversee inputs and deliverables to guarantee that new data center spaces meet all applicable requirements (BOD, specifications, codes, leases, etc.), while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and added value.
• Develop and refine design standards to align with company vision and industry benchmarks.
• Coordinate with site operations to define project requirements and design criteria and provide support for any issues that arise once critical infrastructure is in operation
• Work with sales and marketing to provide technical support wherever needed
• Stay abreast of new technologies and opportunities to innovate within and beyond the data center industry.
• Additional Responsibilities
• Develop and manage content for team learning and onboarding, promoting transparency and two-way communication across the organization.
• Additional duties as assigned by Management

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Registration as a US-based Professional Engineer (P.E.) strongly preferred.

Experience:

• 8+ years of experience in a management role required.
• 15+ years of experience in mechanical design and construction required, 20+ years preferred
• Data Center experience is required.
• Extensive experience in leading technical design teams including:
• Cross-discipline knowledge and understanding, including Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Architectural, and other critical data center trades
• Strong understanding of the design, construction, commissioning, and operations processes for North American development…