Decima International · 1 month ago
Mechanical Design Manager (Remote) - United States
Decima International is a professional services company providing project management and controls services. They are seeking a Mechanical Design Manager to support multiple data center projects, requiring strong engineering expertise and client-facing skills.
Civil EngineeringConstructionProfessional ServicesProject Management
Responsibilities
Act as the owner’s trusted mechanical engineering authority, ensuring all designs meet program requirements, operational goals, and long-term reliability
Review and approve consultant design packages (concept, SD, DD, IFP, IFC)
Provide critical evaluation of proposed solutions, identifying gaps, risks, or value-engineering opportunities that protect the owner’s interests
Lead technical negotiations with designers, contractors, and equipment vendors
Evaluate mechanical system architectures for resiliency, efficiency, scalability, and maintainability
Oversee key mechanical systems, including:
Data center cooling (CRAH/CRAC, chilled water, DX, evaporative cooling)
Hydronics and fluid distribution
Heat rejection systems
Airflow and pressurization
Smoke exhaust and other life-safety systems
Validate design calculations, equipment selections, and modeling outputs
Drive the design review process, ensuring alignment with codes, standards, and the owner’s design basis
Coordinate interdisciplinary design integration across MEP, CSA, controls, etc
Ensure all mechanical design deliverables are complete, coordinated, and construction-ready
Maintain design logs, review matrices, risk registers, and decision documentation
Provide design‐intent interpretation during construction and ensure contractors’ work aligns with approved drawings and specifications
Support submittal reviews, RFIs, and field issue resolution to ensure alignment with design intent
Evaluate all mechanical‐related change order requests from contractors and vendors on behalf of the Owner
Responsibilities include:
Verifying whether the proposed change is due to design development, unforeseen conditions, scope gaps, or contractor means and methods
Assessing technical validity
Identifying alternate solutions or mitigation options that protect the Owner’s interests
Leading technical negotiations with designers and contractors to resolve discrepancies and minimize unnecessary change costs
Ensuring documentation is clear, justified, and compliant with contractual requirements
Participate in commissioning planning, witness mechanical system testing, and validate that installed systems meet performance and reliability requirements
Work closely with program management, operations, construction, and finance teams to ensure that mechanical solutions meet functional and business objectives
Communicate engineering decisions and recommendations to leadership clearly and effectively
Qualification
Required
10+ years of mechanical design experience, with 5+ years on mission-critical projects as an owner rep, design manager, or consulting lead
Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering
Strong understanding of ASHRAE, NFPA, Uptime Institute, and relevant data-center design standards
Proven ability to manage external design firms and hold partners accountable for performance
Preferred
Master's in Mechanical Engineering
Professional Engineer (PE) preferred
Benefits
Paid time off
Performance-based bonuses
Excellent medical, vision and dental insurance