Mechanical Engineering Director - Data Centres

Welcome to Mott MacDonald

Mott MacDonald 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 MacDonald 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 MacDonald and draw on our wider global network to support strong project outcomes.

Candidate specification

• 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 to explain complex technical matters clearly to different audiences.

• Experience gained within a consultancy, contractor, developer, operator or client organisation.

• A collaborative and inclusive leadership style, with a commitment to mentoring and developing others.

• Excellent communication, organisation and stakeholder management skills.

• Flexibility to travel to client and project locations where required.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent professional experience in mechanical engineering, building services engineering or a related discipline.

• Chartered Engineer status, or progress towards an equivalent professional qualification, is preferred.

• Membership of a relevant professional institution is desirable.

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

AI Usage

At Mott MacDonald, we see the value AI can bring, but we take a people-first approach to hiring. While AI tools can help candidates prepare and build confidence, every application and hiring decision is reviewed by our recruitment and hiring teams. We encourage the responsible use of AI while ensuring we get to know the real person behind the application.

Accessibility

We want you to feel supported and able to perform at your best throughout our recruitment process. If there is anything we can do to make applying or interviewing with us more accessible, please contact us at [email protected] and we'll be happy to discuss how we can help.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long-term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• 10 days additional paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.

Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.
• We offer policies and dedicated support to help military families balance service life with career and wellbeing.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and Gold Award holders in the MOD Employer Recognition Scheme, supported by our dedicated internal Armed Forces Network.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.

Apply now, or for more information about our application process, click here.