Technical Expert - Data Center (Mechanical)

Job Posting : Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Position Objectives:

• Provide technical leadership and assurance for HVAC/cooling and plumbing systems across the Data Center program.
• Ensure cooling systems meet availability, redundancy (N/N+1/2N), efficiency (PUE support), and maintainability targets.
• Act as the technical authority for all mechanical cooling and plumbing scope.
• Review and validate HVAC/cooling design (chillers, CRAH/CRAC, cooling towers/dry coolers, pumps) for compliance with requirements and standards.
• Validate hydronic design including pump duties, pipe sizing, pressure drops, valve strategy, and water treatment provisions.
• Ensure effective airflow management, containment, pressurization, filtration, and ventilation strategy.
• Review plumbing and drainage design for make-up water, condensate, domestic water, and RO/DI interfaces.
• Support site execution by resolving RFIs/NCRs, enforcing installation quality, and overseeing pre-commissioning tests.
• Lead FAT/SAT, TAB, commissioning readiness, and performance testing for HVAC and plumbing systems.
• Ensure smooth handover with complete O&M documentation, as-builts, and spares for operations.

Job Description & Responsibilities:

• Serve as the technical authority for HVAC/cooling and plumbing systems within the Data Center program, ensuring design and execution meet mission-critical requirements.
• Review and validate mechanical design deliverables (concept, DD, IFC) for compliance with redundancy targets (N/N+1/2N), efficiency, and maintainability.
• Validate cooling plant architecture, equipment selection, capacity, and part-load performance for chillers, CRAH/CRAC, cooling towers, and pumps.
• Ensure hydronic systems are correctly designed, including pump duties, pipe sizing, pressure drops, valve strategy, expansion, and water treatment provisions.
• Verify airflow management, hot/cold aisle containment, room pressurization, filtration, and ventilation requirements.
• Review and validate plumbing and drainage systems, including make-up water, condensate, domestic water, and RO/DI interfaces.
• Provide technical support during construction for RFIs, NCRs, field changes, and interface clashes, ensuring installation quality and compliance.
• Oversee pre-commissioning activities including flushing, pressure testing, leak detection, and cleanliness of mechanical systems.
• Witness and approve FAT/SAT for major HVAC equipment and ensure first-time pass compliance.
• Lead TAB strategy and commissioning readiness, ensuring systems are ready for functional performance testing.
• Support Integrated Systems Testing (IST) to validate cooling performance during redundancy events and electrical transfers.
• Ensure integration with BMS/DCIM, alarm strategy, and sequence of operations for stable and controlled operation.
• Coordinate with vendors, contractors, and operations teams for training, spares, O&M documentation, and warranty compliance.
• Ensure compliance with local codes, safety requirements, and high-risk activity controls throughout the mechanical lifecycle.

Qualifications & Experience:

• BSc in Mechanical Engineering (mandatory); MSc is a plus.
• 10–15+ years of experience in mechanical systems for mission-critical facilities (data centers, hospitals, airports, industrial).
• Minimum 5 years direct Data Center delivery experience (hyperscale / Tier III+ preferred).
• Strong expertise in HVAC/cooling plants, chilled water systems, CRAH/CRAC, pumps, cooling towers/dry coolers, and hydronic design.
• Proven experience in commissioning, TAB, functional performance testing, and Integrated Systems Testing (IST).
• Solid understanding of airflow management, containment, pressurization, ventilation, and filtration strategies.
• Experience in reviewing design deliverables and ensuring compliance with redundancy targets, standards, and codes.
• Strong capability in BMS/DCIM integration, sequences of operation, alarm strategy, and control logic.
• Demonstrated site execution support, problem-solving, and interface management with electrical, fire, and controls teams.
• Preferred certifications: Uptime Institute/TIA-942 familiarity, CxA/commissioning, PMP, and ASHRAE knowledge.
• Strong documentation discipline, vendor management, and ability to deliver complete O&M and handover dossiers.