Overview

Principal Mechanical Engineer – Data Centres – Manchester

A leading engineering consultancy is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join its Manchester team, with a primary focus on mission critical facilities and data centres. The firm has an established reputation for delivering technically complex and sustainable projects across the UK and internationally, and this role provides the opportunity to play a pivotal part in one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic sectors in the industry.

As Principal Engineer, you will take responsibility for the design and delivery of mechanical services within large-scale data centre projects. You will be working at the forefront of innovative design, helping to deliver resilient, efficient, and future-ready facilities that meet the evolving demands of digital infrastructure.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of mechanical systems for data centre projects, ensuring reliability, efficiency, and compliance with sector standards.
• Act as the primary point of contact for clients, building and maintaining long-term relationships within the mission critical sector.
• Manage multidisciplinary coordination, ensuring projects are delivered to the highest technical and quality standards.
• Define and manage project briefs, oversee budgets, and contribute to the preparation of bids and proposals for new opportunities.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and knowledge sharing.
• Oversee workloads, delegate tasks effectively, and ensure all project outputs are delivered on time and to specification.
• Monitor risks, costs, and resources, reporting progress to senior management.

About you

The ideal candidate will bring:

• Significant experience as a Mechanical Engineer within the data centre or mission critical sector.
• A strong track record of delivering mechanical services designs, including HVAC, cooling, and resilience strategies for large-scale, high-reliability projects.
• Proficiency in design software such as Revit and AutoCAD.
• Knowledge of British Standards, relevant codes, and data centre-specific requirements.
• Previous consultancy experience, with the ability to work collaboratively alongside complementary disciplines such as acoustics, fire engineering and computational modelling.
• Excellent communication skills and confidence in leading client relationships.
• A proactive, team-oriented approach with the ability to inspire and support colleagues.

What’s on offer

You will be joining a consultancy that places emphasis on both innovation and people. The business offers flexible working, professional and technical development pathways, private medical cover, a generous holiday allowance, and other wellbeing and lifestyle benefits. This is an opportunity to grow your career in a supportive environment while working on some of the most challenging and rewarding projects in the data centre sector.

Seniority level

• Associate

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Design and Consulting

Industries

• Utilities and Construction