Critical Systems Associate (Mechanical) in Edinburgh

Cundall is a global, independent, multi-disciplinary consultancy delivering sustainable engineering and design solutions across the built environment. We operate across 29 locations with over 1,200 engineers and designers who are empowered to act with flexibility and agility in response to the local market conditions and practices. We are 100% owned by Partners working in the practice. We have been named Building’s ‘Engineering Consultant of the Year’ in 2024, 2022, and 2021, priding ourselves on our exemplary track record of designing innovative and sustainable projects. Established in 2006, our data centre team has been at the forefront of mission-critical design and exceptional in-house engineering services. Collaborating with clients worldwide, we have delivered over 2,000MW of data centre capacity. Our team’s primary objective is to design the world’s most energy efficient, low-emission, and socially responsible data centres leveraging engineering excellence. Our multi-disciplinary engineering-led team takes pride in working closely with clients on every project achieving the highest levels of engineering resilience and excellence. We were named Data Centre Review’s ‘Data Centre Consultancy of the Year’ in 2025.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced and client-focused Associate with mechanical experience to join our data centre team in our Edinburgh office. You will play a leading role in ensuring the successful delivery of our design solutions on some of the most notable and large-scale data centre projects in the world. You will collaborate within our data centre team and work closely with colleagues of various disciplines to help drive and manage the delivery of technically excellent projects. The role will include you managing engineers to deliver designs and ensure the production of project deliverables. You will monitor budgets and programme, check designs, and communicate with the wider project and client team. You will develop new and nurture existing client relationships that maximise satisfaction and ensure repeat business and will use your wealth of expertise and determination to manage, motivate, and inspire junior engineers. You will support and be supported by senior management staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design and delivery of hyperscale and enterprise-level data centres.
• Develop mechanical system designs including HVAC, chilled water, direct-to-chip immersive cooling, and ventilation systems.
• Produce and review mechanical schematics, reports, specifications, and equipment layouts.
• Manage and mentor a team of mechanical engineers, overseeing design quality, performance, and development.
• Coordinate closely with other disciplines to deliver fully integrated and efficient design solutions.
• Act as a primary point of contact for clients, building long-term relationships and repeat business.
• Review and approve designs to ensure compliance with relevant standards, regulations, and client specifications.
• Contribute to and support internal project management processes including fee tracking, progress monitoring, and programme delivery.
• Provide strategic input on design direction, energy efficiency, and sustainability measures including waste heat recovery and free cooling.
• Participate in site inspections, technical meetings, commissioning activities, and post-occupancy reviews.

The Skills

• A Chartered Engineer, educated to degree level in Mechanical or Building Services Engineering.
• You will have gained significant experience in a consulting engineering role within your engineering field, preferably in the data centre sector.
• You will have a proven customer and quality-focused approach with experience in managing clients.
• In your most recent position, you will have demonstrated your ability to manage small-to-medium scale projects and small teams of engineers to deliver projects.

We know that to be the best at what we do we need a diverse workforce underpinned by an inclusive culture. Creating environments where everyone can find joy doing their best work is also great for everyone. That’s why we positively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities, and encourage, support, and celebrate the diverse voices of our people.