Mechanical Design Manager (Data Centers)
Mechanical Design Manager
Location: Sydney or Melbourne, Australia
Industry: HVAC | Mission Critical | Data Centers | Critical Infrastructure
Employment Type: Full-Time
About the Company
We are representing a Tier 1 cooling and HVAC solutions contractor, delivering complex thermal management systems for data centers and critical infrastructure across Australia. With a growing portfolio of projects, the business is expanding its engineering leadership team and seeking an experienced Mechanical Design Manager to drive technical excellence across project delivery.
Position Summary
The Mechanical Design Manager will lead the mechanical engineering and design function across multiple projects, with a particular focus on data center cooling infrastructure. This role will be responsible for overseeing the development of mechanical designs, ensuring solutions are technically robust, commercially viable, and aligned with client requirements. The successful candidate will lead a team of design engineers while working closely with project delivery, sales, manufacturing, and commissioning teams throughout the project lifecycle.
The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in HVAC and cooling system design, combined with leadership experience and a solid understanding of data center environments.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Leadership
- Lead and manage the mechanical design team across multiple concurrent projects.
- Provide technical oversight for HVAC and cooling system designs from concept through detailed design.
- Establish and maintain engineering standards, design processes, and quality procedures.
- Review and approve engineering calculations, equipment selections, layouts, and technical documentation.
- Drive innovation, technical excellence, and continuous improvement across the engineering function.
Design & Engineering Management
- Oversee the development of mechanical system designs for data centers and critical infrastructure facilities.
- Ensure designs meet project specifications, client requirements, and industry standards.
- Lead design coordination activities with electrical, controls, architectural, and structural disciplines.
- Manage design deliverables, schedules, and engineering resources.
- Support value engineering initiatives and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, constructability, and lifecycle performance.
Project Delivery Support
- Work closely with project managers and construction teams to ensure successful project execution.
- Participate in design reviews, client workshops, and technical presentations.
- Provide engineering support during procurement, construction, testing, and commissioning phases.
- Resolve technical issues and design challenges throughout project delivery.
- Support factory testing, site inspections, commissioning activities, and project handovers.
Client & Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as a senior technical point of contact for clients, consultants, and project stakeholders.
- Build and maintain strong client relationships.
- Present technical solutions and design strategies to customers and project teams.
- Support business development initiatives through technical expertise and market knowledge.
- Assist with project pursuits, bid submissions, and proposal development.
Team Development
- Mentor and develop mechanical engineers and designers.
- Assist with recruitment, workforce planning, and succession development.
- Foster a collaborative and high-performance engineering culture.
- Provide technical training and professional development opportunities for team members.
Key Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
- 10+ years of experience in mechanical building services, HVAC, or mission-critical engineering.
- Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams and managing design delivery.
- Strong working knowledge of HVAC and cooling system design principles.
- Experience with large-scale commercial, industrial, mission-critical, or data center projects.
- Proficiency in engineering design software and BIM coordination environments.
- Strong understanding of Australian codes, standards, and industry best practices.
- Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and stakeholder groups simultaneously.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and leadership skills
FAQs
Congratulations, we understand that taking the time to apply is a big step. When you apply, your details go directly to the consultant who is sourcing talent. Due to demand, we may not get back to all applicants that have applied. However, we always keep your resume and details on file so when we see similar roles or see skillsets that drive growth in organizations, we will always reach out to discuss opportunities.
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