Mechanical / Controls Integration Engineer

Mechanical / Controls Integration Engineer - Nscale, US

About Nscale

Nscale is the GPU cloud engineered for AI. We provide cost-effective, high-performance infrastructure for AI start-ups and large enterprise customers. Nscale enables AI-focused companies to achieve superior results by reducing the complexity of AI development. Our GPU cloud bolsters technical capabilities and directly supports strategic business outcomes, including cost management, rapid innovation, and environmental responsibility.

We thrive on a culture of relentless innovation, ownership, and accountability, where every team member takes pride in their work and drives it with excellence and urgency. As an Nscaler, you'll build trust through openness and transparency, where everyone is inspired to do their best work. If you join our team, you'll be contributing to building the technology that powers the future.

Role Overview

Nscale is seeking a Mechanical / Controls Integration Engineer to bridge mechanical system design, vendor-supplied equipment, and NScale's standardized PLC / SCADA control architectures. This role is responsible for ensuring that mechanical systems—particularly cooling infrastructure—are designed, manufactured, and commissioned in full alignment with NScale controls standards, reliability requirements, and operational intent.

This engineer operates at the intersection of mechanical engineering, automation, and commissioning. They work closely with internal controls engineers, mechanical designers, OEMs, skid manufacturers, system integrators, and field commissioning teams to ensure that mechanical equipment integrates seamlessly into NScale's BMS and EPMS environments and supports scalable, repeatable deployments.

Key Responsibilities

Mechanical Controls Integration & Design Review

• Act as the primary controls-focused mechanical SME for cooling systems including CDUs, chillers, dry coolers, CRAH/CRAC units, immersion cooling skids, and packaged mechanical plants.
• Review and validate Sequence of Design / Sequence of Operations documents to ensure they are controls-implementable, deterministic, and aligned with NScale standards.
• Review mechanical submittals, P&IDs, instrumentation diagrams, and vendor control narratives for consistency with NScale PLC and SCADA requirements.
• Validate sensor selection, placement, redundancy, ranges, and control loop design (valves, dampers, pumps, VFDs).

Vendor & OEM Engagement

• Interface directly with mechanical equipment OEMs and skid manufacturers to:
• • Define required controls interfaces (Modbus TCP/IP preferred, BACnet only where unavoidable).
  • Review and approve I/O lists, control panels, network architectures, and embedded PLC strategies.
  • Ensure vendor equipment supports redundancy, fail-safe operation, and commissioning requirements.
• Support manufacturing design reviews for skidded and modular data center equipment, ensuring controls integration is standardized and repeatable across sites.

Controls & Automation Alignment

• Work closely with NScale Controls Engineers and integrators to ensure mechanical systems align with:
• • PLC architecture and redundancy requirements.
  • Network segmentation and OT cybersecurity policies.
  • Standardized shutdown keys, cause-and-effect matrices, and alarm philosophies.
• Review and validate control narratives, cause-and-effect diagrams, and shutdown interlocks related to mechanical systems.

Risk, Reliability & Commissioning Support

• Participate in formal risk assessments, FMEA sessions, and design reviews, identifying controls-related mechanical risks early in the project lifecycle.
• Support HAT, FAT/CAT, SAT, pre-commissioning, and commissioning activities for mechanical systems.
• Assist with field issue resolution related to mechanical equipment behavior, control logic interpretation, or vendor integration challenges.
• Ensure lessons learned are captured and fed back into standards and future designs.

Documentation & Standards

• Ensure mechanical systems are fully documented in accordance with NScale requirements:
• • Control narratives
  • I/O lists
  • Instrument lists
  • Cause-and-effect matrices
  • Commissioning procedures and test evidence
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of NScale mechanical and controls integration standards.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• 4+ years of experience with mechanical systems in mission-critical or industrial environments (data centers strongly preferred).
• Strong understanding of data center cooling systems including CDUs, chillers, dry coolers, CRAH/CRAC units, and modular mechanical skids.
• Demonstrated experience working with OEMs, skid vendors, and automation/system integrators.
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, mechanical submittals, instrumentation diagrams, and control interface documentation.
• Solid understanding of industrial control concepts (PLC-based systems, BMS integration, field instrumentation).
• Strong communication skills and ability to operate across mechanical, electrical, and controls disciplines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (P.Eng / PE).
• Experience supporting commissioning of mission-critical facilities.
• Familiarity with Modbus TCP/IP, BACnet, and industrial networking concepts.