Mechanical HVAC Engineer SME - AI Data Centers

Jacobs delivers engineering and infrastructure solutions for mission-critical outcomes, scientific discovery, and cutting-edge manufacturing. The Mechanical HVAC Engineer SME will lead mechanical engineering efforts across hyperscale data center projects, oversee HVAC and cooling system design, guide advanced simulations and technical analyses, and mentor engineering teams. The role also drives energy performance strategies and coordinates mechanical integration across disciplines throughout the project lifecycle.

Responsibilities:

• Provide quality reviews of complex projects spanning HVAC, cooling, and mechanical systems for hyperscale data center facilities
• Lead complex mechanical analyses and guide the selection of appropriate cooling methodologies — including airside/water-side economization, chilled water systems, dual temperature loop topology and direct liquid cooling — to ensure robust, code-compliant, and constructible design solutions
• Develop and validate advanced mechanical simulation models (airflow, thermal, psychrometric), establish modeling standards, and mentor team members in best-practice simulation techniques
• Oversee critical calculations for cooling load analysis, hydronic system design, and equipment selection; direct material take-offs and estimating inputs; and provide technical governance for schedules, design documentation, and interdisciplinary coordination
• Drive energy performance strategy, including PUE optimization, heat rejection design, and thermal storage solutions aligned with hyperscale owner sustainability commitments
• Partners with electrical, civil, structural, and controls disciplines to ensure mechanical systems integration across the full project lifecycle, from schematic design through commissioning and turnover

Requirements:

• Ability to quickly identify complex challenges, solve problems, communicate solutions, and direct junior and senior staff on best practices in mechanical design and systems integration
• Understanding of the complexities of large contracts and different contract structures; ability to manage change orders and advocate for the engineering team against contractor liabilities
• Experience with the full spectrum of data center mechanical systems — air-side and water-side cooling, heat rejection, chilled water plant design, power density thermal management, and liquid cooling — with the ability to speak to the executive level on any subject without advance notice
• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
• 15+ years of professional experience in mechanical engineering, with 5 or more years demonstrated depth in mission-critical and/or data center facility design
• Registered Professional Engineer (PE) in Mechanical Engineering with the ability to obtain licensure in additional states
• Proficiency with mechanical/HVAC design and simulation software such as Trane TRACE, Carrier HAP, Energy Plus, eQUEST, or equivalent
• Knowledge of CAD and BIM platforms including AutoCAD MEP, Revit MEP, and MicroStation
• Knowledge and application of ASHRAE 90.4 (Energy Standard for Data Centers) – including MLC Calculations, ASHRAE 55, ASHRAE 62.1, ASHRAE 9.9, NFPA 70, NFPA 110, IMC, and other industry-relevant design codes and standards
• Proficiency with MS Office suite software including MS Teams for remote coordination
• Ability to travel to various client sites (approximately 10% to 40[CB1.1][EP1.2]% travel)
• Proficiency reviewing and commenting on drawings in Bluebeam
• Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
• Experience with hyperscale facility design with key global clients (Microsoft, Google, Meta, Amazon, or similar)
• Deep familiarity with direct liquid cooling (DLC) and immersion cooling systems for high-density AI/GPU compute environments
• Commissioning experience or ASHRAE/NEBB/AABC certification relevant to mission-critical mechanical systems
• Ability to lead teams to deliver commitments on schedule and on budget while meeting quality and client expectations
• Familiarity with thermal energy storage, district cooling, and heat recovery systems for large campus data center programs