Mechanical Engineering Director - Data Centres

Mott Mac Donald is a global engineering, management and development consultancy with more than 20,000 colleagues working across over 50 countries and 140+ offices. We work across major industries, delivering projects that help shape the future and create positive outcomes for the communities we serve.

Our people power our performance. With opportunities to collaborate, learn and grow across our international network, you can deepen your expertise or broaden your experience while working alongside specialists who will support you to be at your best.

As a proudly employee-owned business, we invest in our people, our clients and our communities. We are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels empowered, included and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott Mac Donald is where people come to be brilliant.

About our Buildings business

Our Buildings business brings together engineering, design and project delivery expertise to create high-performing places and infrastructure. Our data centre teams work across disciplines to deliver resilient, efficient and sustainable facilities for clients operating in complex, mission-critical environments.

About the role

We are seeking a Data Centre Mechanical Design Lead to provide technical leadership across the planning, design and delivery of major data centre and mission-critical projects throughout the UK and Europe.

You will lead the development of high-quality mechanical solutions from feasibility and concept design through detailed design, construction support, commissioning and handover. Working closely with project directors, design managers and multidisciplinary technical teams, you will ensure that mechanical systems are coordinated, buildable, maintainable and aligned with client performance requirements.

This role combines technical authority with project delivery leadership. You will support clients, guide engineering teams, strengthen design assurance and contribute to the continued development of our data centre capability across EUNA.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design and technical delivery of major data centre projects across the UK and Europe.
• Provide technical direction throughout feasibility, master planning, concept design, detailed design, construction support, commissioning and handover.
• Develop resilient, scalable, energy-efficient and maintainable mechanical strategies aligned with client, operational and sustainability requirements.
• Lead the design and review of cooling, ventilation, chilled water, airside, heat rejection, liquid cooling and associated control solutions as appropriate to each project.
• Work with project managers and design managers to define scope, programme, resources, deliverables, interfaces and technical risks.
• Coordinate closely with electrical, structural, civil, architectural, fire, controls, sustainability and commissioning teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Provide senior review and assurance of calculations, drawings, specifications, design reports, equipment selections and technical submissions.
• Support buildability, commissioning readiness, maintainability and operational performance through early engagement with construction and commissioning teams.
• Build trusted relationships with clients, contractors, operators, vendors and delivery partners.
• Support selected pursuits, proposals, interviews and technical presentations as a senior mechanical specialist.
• Contribute to design standards, quality processes, lessons learned and consistent ways of working across the portfolio.
• Mentor and develop mechanical engineers and design managers, supporting knowledge sharing, succession and capability growth.
• Share expertise across Mott Mac Donald and draw on our wider global network to support strong project outcomes.
• Significant experience leading mechanical design on data centre, mission-critical or technically complex building projects.
• A strong understanding of cooling strategies, HVAC systems, thermal management, resilience, redundancy, energy efficiency and maintainability.
• Experience delivering work across multiple project stages, from early studies and concept design through construction and commissioning.
• Proven ability to lead technical teams, manage interfaces and coordinate multidisciplinary design delivery.
• Strong understanding of design risk, technical assurance, quality management and the responsibilities of a senior design leader.
• Confident client-facing skills and the ability…