MEP Data Center Design & Engineering Leader
Lead MEP Engineering Leader | AI Data Centers
$200,000-$300,000+ Base + Bonus + Significant Equity
Remote (West Coast Preferred) | Travel Required | Reports to Executive Leadership
Build the Infrastructure Powering the AI Revolution
A well-funded, venture-backed AI infrastructure developer is seeking a Lead MEP Engineering Leader to shape the next generation of high-density GPU data centers.
This is not a maintenance role. This is an opportunity to define the technical standards, engineering strategy, and design philosophy behind a rapidly growing portfolio of AI-ready facilities. You'll work directly with executive leadership, influence company-wide technical decisions, and own the engineering vision from site acquisition through commissioning.
If you're a senior engineering leader who wants more than reviewing drawings and attending meetings, this is a chance to build something from the ground up while earning meaningful equity in a business positioned at the forefront of the AI infrastructure boom.
Why This Role Stands Out
- Significant base salary, bonus, and meaningful equity ownership
- Direct access to founders and executive leadership
- Define engineering standards across an entire data center platform
- Drive some of the industry's most advanced AI and GPU deployments
- Own the technical roadmap for power, cooling, reliability, and scalability
- High visibility role with substantial influence on company growth and strategy
- Opportunity to build a portfolio of AI-ready facilities from concept through go-live
What You'll Do
- Serve as the technical authority for MEP engineering across hyperscale, AI, and high-performance computing (HPC) data center developments.
- Lead engineering efforts from site diligence through commissioning and operational readiness.
- Define standards for power density, cooling architecture, redundancy, reliability, and scalability across all developments.
- Oversee the design of critical electrical infrastructure, including MV/LV distribution, switchgear, UPS systems, PDUs, busway systems, and related mission-critical equipment.
- Drive high-density cooling strategies utilizing liquid cooling, direct-to-chip solutions, CDUs, rear-door heat exchangers, and emerging technologies.
- Manage and direct external engineering consultants, ensuring technical excellence and adherence to company standards.
- Evaluate prospective sites and provide technical guidance during feasibility and diligence activities.
- Establish commissioning requirements, integrated systems testing procedures, and technical acceptance criteria.
- Review and approve major design decisions, equipment selections, and critical engineering milestones.
- Partner with development, construction, and leadership teams to deliver world-class AI infrastructure.
What We're Looking For
- 8+ years of experience in mission-critical, data center, or critical facilities engineering.
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- PE license preferred.
- Deep expertise in hyperscale, AI, GPU, or HPC environments.
- Strong understanding of power distribution, reliability strategies, and redundancy models including N+1 and 2N.
- Experience designing or implementing advanced liquid cooling solutions.
- Working knowledge of Uptime Institute standards and mission-critical design best practices.
- Proven ability to lead technical reviews, establish engineering standards, and manage external consultants.
- Familiarity with utility-fed and alternative power infrastructure solutions.
- Existing relationships with leading critical infrastructure equipment manufacturers are highly desirable.
Ideal Backgrounds
- Data Center MEP Design Leaders
- Engineering Directors within mission-critical consulting firms
- Senior Mechanical or Electrical Engineers supporting hyperscale developments
- Technical leaders from developer, EPC, owner/operator, or consulting environments
- Engineering professionals with AI, GPU, HPC, and liquid-cooling expertise
The Opportunity
This is a rare chance to move beyond individual project execution and help define the technical foundation of a rapidly scaling AI infrastructure platform. You'll have the authority to establish standards, influence major capital decisions, and help shape the future of high-density computing infrastructure while participating in the long-term upside through a meaningful equity package.
For engineers who want a seat at the table, ownership of technical decisions, and the opportunity to build something significant, this role offers all three.
FAQs
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