Mechanical Technical Director – Mission Critical (Data Centres)

Provide technical leadership and governance across multiple mission critical and data centre projects globally.

Define and oversee mechanical engineering strategies for hyperscale, colocation, enterprise, and AI-driven data centre developments.

Lead the development and review of cooling architectures, including chilled water systems, liquid cooling solutions, direct-to-chip cooling, CDUs, heat rejection systems, and high-density thermal management strategies.

Drive technical excellence through peer reviews, design assurance processes, and the development of engineering standards, best practices, and quality procedures.

Act as the senior technical authority for mechanical engineering matters, providing guidance and support to project teams throughout all project phases.

Support the development, adaptation, and optimisation of global standard reference designs, modular data centre solutions, and bespoke engineering approaches.

Interface directly with clients, operators, contractors, technology providers, and other stakeholders, acting as a trusted technical advisor and subject matter expert.

Lead technical workshops, value engineering exercises, feasibility studies, master planning activities, and technical due diligence assignments.

Ensure designs achieve the required performance, resilience, maintainability, energy efficiency, sustainability, and operational objectives.

Support project delivery teams in managing technical risks, programme requirements, budgets, and quality objectives.

Maintain strong client relationships and proactively identify opportunities for repeat business and long-term partnerships.

Support business development activities, client engagement, and strategic growth initiatives across the Mission Critical sector.

Lead and support pursuits, proposals, bids, interviews, and technical presentations to help secure new project opportunities.

Collaborate with regional and global leadership teams to develop and execute growth strategies for the Data Centres and Mission Critical business.

Monitor emerging technologies, market trends, and client requirements to ensure GHD remains at the forefront of data centre engineering.

Mentor and develop Lead Engineers and other team members, fostering a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.

Experience & Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Building Services Engineering.

Chartered Engineer status (CEng, PE, RPEQ, or equivalent) preferred.

Minimum 15 years of relevant engineering experience, including significant experience within mission critical and data centre environments.

Proven track record leading the design and delivery of hyperscale, colocation, enterprise, and AI-focused data centre facilities.

Extensive knowledge of data centre cooling systems, including chilled water plants, CRAH/CRAC systems, liquid cooling technologies, CDUs, cooling towers, dry coolers, and advanced control strategies.

Strong understanding of resilience and redundancy philosophies, including N+1, 2N, and concurrent maintainability principles.

Strong understanding of mechanical-electrical integration, controls and BMS systems, commissioning, integrated systems testing, and operational readiness.

leading multidisciplinary engineering teams across international projects and geographically distributed delivery environments.

Demonstrated experience undertaking technical reviews, design assurance, engineering governance, and quality management activities.

Familiarity with CFD modelling, thermal analysis, energy modelling, digital engineering, and BIM delivery processes.

Strong commercial awareness with experience supporting business development, client management, and project pursuits.

with hyperscale and AI data centre cooling strategies is highly desirable.

Uptime Institute Accredited Tier Designer (ATD) certification is highly desirable.

Excellent leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and presentation skills.

Us?

Work on globally significant projects, influencing the next generation of AI and hyperscale data centre design.

Be part of a globally recognised, fast-growing mission critical team delivering projects that blend technical excellence, sustainability, and commercial success.

Collaborate in a multi-disciplinary, innovative environment where your input shapes both standardised and bespoke solutions.

Join a team that values knowledge-sharing, mentorship, and professional excellence.

Be part of a workplace that combines collaboration, flexibility, and connection.

Join us in the office three days per week to contribute, connect and excel in our vibrant environment.

Our Pledge to You At GHD, we don’t just believe in the power of commitment, we live and breathe it every day.

That’s why we pledge to empower our people to make a positive impact.

Combining our deep technical expertise with the capabilities of our clients and partners, we respond to some of the most complex challenges facing our planet today.

See where your commitment could take you.

That’s the #PowerOfCommitment