Principal Engineer Mechanical - Data Center - Dubai

Principal Engineer Mechanical – Data Center – Dubai

Cooling is the defining engineering challenge of the AI era. Rack power densities that were theoretical five years ago are now standard in every sovereign AI and hyperscale project launching in the UAE. Ramboll is building its MENA data centre practice from the ground up with 450+ dedicated data centre MEP engineers globally. The Principal Mechanical Engineer will be the cooling authority at the heart of the regional team, working on mission‑critical data center projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Client Engagement & Technical Leadership
• Act as the primary cooling and mechanical technical contact for clients – leading design reviews, strategy presentations, and bid discussions with senior engineering teams
• Directly engage with client‑side SMEs, global stakeholders, and multidisciplinary teams
• Lead technical discussions on design intent, risks, and trade‑offs
• Own preparation of design strategy documents and technical narratives
• Basis of Design (BOD)
• Design Basis Reports (DBR)
• Technical narratives and presentations
• Participation in proposals drafting and responses to RFP and TQR
• Design Leadership & Engineering Ownership
• Own the complete mechanical design – chilled water plant, direct liquid cooling (DLC), CDU systems, hybrid architectures, heat rejection, ventilation, and fuel systems
• Design systems for hyperscale and colocation facilities in the 10–100 MW IT load range (from concept through to IFC)
• Handle high‑density AI cooling: 40–142 kW per rack, CDU sizing, secondary fluid networks, glycol specification
• Ensure compliance with UAE‑specific requirements: ZLD heat rejection, PUE < 1.4 under Dubai Universal Blueprint for AI, high‑temperature DLC for desert free cooling
• Lead design of air‑cooled & water‑cooled chilled water systems (CRAH / CRAC / AHU)
• Define airflow strategies (hot aisle / cold aisle containment)
• Establish resilience strategies (N, N+1, N+2, 2N) aligned with Uptime Tier
• Engineering Calculations & Technical Validation
• Perform and direct thermal load calculations, hydraulic modelling, and CFD studies for density validation and retrofit assessment
• Validate control philosophy and BMS/EMS integration requirements
• Review all mechanical engineering calculations and ensure alignment with ASHRAE, TIA‑942, and Uptime Institute guidelines
• Detailed Design & BIM Coordination
• Lead development of concept, schematic, and detailed design (IFC level) documentation
• Review and approve AutoCAD & BIM (Revit) models at LOD350 with coordinated multi‑discipline integration
• Spot and resolve cross‑discipline conflicts at concept stage (electrical, ELV, fire, structural)
• Project Delivery & Construction Support
• Lead multidisciplinary coordination across Electrical, Structural, Architectural, Fire Protection, and BIM teams
• Support procurement: technical specifications, BOQs, and vendor evaluations
• Provide technical support during construction, site inspections, and commissioning phases
• Team Leadership & Capability Building
• Develop internal design guidelines and lead the DC Mechanical team
• Mentor mechanical and HVAC engineers
• Establish design standards and best practices
• Contribute to the DC Academy and regional thought leadership programme
• Drive design quality, risk management, and technical issue resolution across the team

Mandatory Skills & Experience

• 8+ years of mechanical engineering experience, with at least 5 years focused on data centre or mission‑critical cooling systems
• Strong track record in chilled water plant design: chillers, pumping configurations, cooling towers, dry coolers, and hydraulic modelling
• Hands‑on experience designing direct liquid cooling systems: CDU specification, secondary fluid networks, glycol systems (PG‑25)
• Deep understanding of high‑density AI cooling: 40 kW/rack and above, AI cluster thermal management, liquid/air hybrid architecture
• Knowledge of UAE regulatory landscape: DEWA ZLD compliance, Dubai Universal Blueprint for AI (PUE < 1.2), district cooling integration

Tools & Digital Capability

• CFD experience: ability to direct or personally run studies for density validation and retrofit assessment
• BIM delivery using Revit at LOD350 and coordinated multi‑discipline modelling
• AutoCAD proficiency for detailed mechanical drawings and coordination
• Exceptional verbal and written communication in English – confidence to lead technical discussions at senior level
• Ability to mentor engineers and establish design culture and standards

Qualifications & Experience

• BE / BTech / ME / MTech in Mechanical Engineering
• Professional registration as a Mechanical Engineer or equivalent

Good to Have

• Uptime Institute ATD or ATS certification
• Experience with immersion cooling systems (single‑phase or two‑phase) and their commissioning
• Familiarity with high‑temperature DLC (30–40 °C coolant supply) and free cooling integration in hot climates
• LEED AP M+E or equivalent sustainability qualificationExperience with KSA regulatory landscape and Vision 2030 data centre programme

Benefits

• Investment in your development
• Leaders you can count on, guided by our Leadership Principles
• Be valued for the unique person you are.
• Never be short of inspiration from colleagues, clients, and projects.
• The long‑term thinking of a foundation‑owned company
• A challenging and interesting workday characterized by continuous learning, in an environment where you have many to spar with and learn from.
• Opportunity to work with varied work tasks, across the organization.
• Opportunity to develop and influence your own area of responsibility.