Data Center Mechanical Cooling Engineer

Our thirst for technology is a part of everything we do. The Data Center Engineering team takes the physical design of our data centers into the future. Our lab mirrors a research and development department -- cutting-edge strategies are born, tested and tested again. Along with a team of great minds, you take on complex topics like how we use power or how to run state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly facilities. You're a visionary who optimizes for efficiencies and never stops seeking improvements -- even small changes that can make a huge impact. You generate ideas, communicate recommendations to senior-level executives and drive implementation alongside facilities technicians.

With your technical expertise, you ensure compliance with codes and standards, develop infrastructure improvements and serve as an expert in your specialty (e.g., cooling, electrical).

As a Mechanical/Thermal Cooling Engineer, you will have a deep technical knowledge in thermal management. You will serve as the primary on-site authority, ensuring that cooling infrastructures essential for high-availability environments are installed, integrated, and optimized according to design intent. You will be the lead technical point-of-contact (POC) for all mechanical and HVAC-related engineering questions during the construction phase. You will be responsible for bridging the gap between high-level thermal designs and physical site execution, ensuring maximum system reliability and efficiency.

Behind everything our users see online is the architecture built by the Technical Infrastructure team to keep it running. From developing and maintaining our data centers to building the next generation of Google platforms, we make Google's product portfolio possible. We're proud to be our engineers' engineers and love voiding warranties by taking things apart so we can rebuild them. We keep our networks up and running, ensuring our users have the best and fastest experience possible.

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $171,000-$248,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits. Learn more about benefits at Google.

Responsibilities

• Act as the definitive technical resource for mechanical contractors, resolving ambiguities in piping and instrumentation diagram (P&IDs) and ductwork layouts to maintain construction momentum.
• Perform periodic site walk-throughs to verify that mechanical installations align with engineered specifications, focusing on pressure testing, weld inspection requirements, insulation integrity, and equipment placement.
  
• Ensure that both evaporative and non-evaporative systems are installed to meet Google and project specific standards and requirements.
  
• Lead the field-side request for information (RFI) process, identifying potential spatial or mechanical conflicts and providing immediate engineering solutions to avoid rework.
  
• Facilitate cross-discipline collaboration with control systems and electrical teams to ensure internal design specifications are met.

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 10 years of experience in mechanical engineering.
• 5 years of experience with thermal topology, including evaporative cooling and non-evaporative cooling topologies.
• 5 years of experience with piping and fluid dynamics, including chilled water plant overviews, pumping systems, and hydronic balancing.
• Experience with mechanical and building codes (e.g., IBC, IMC) and recognized engineering standards such as American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

Preferred qualifications:

• Proficiency in thermal and hydraulic modeling software such as Bentley AutoPIPE, Caesar, or Six Sigma.
• Understanding of pressurized systems, ASME B31 piping codes, and heavy equipment rigging safety.
• Track record of construction support for industrial or mission-critical facilities.
• Ability to work closely with mechanical contractors to ensure high-quality delivery while maintaining strict adherence to the project schedule.
• Ability to diagnose mechanical integration issues in real-time, including root cause analysis for data center mechanical plants.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to navigate a matrix organization.

Note: By applying to this position you will have an opportunity to share your preferred working location from the following: New York, NY, USA; Austin, TX, USA; Kirkland, WA, USA; Reston, VA, USA; Sunnyvale, CA, USA; Houston, TX, USA; Moncks Corner, SC 29461, USA.

In accordance with Washington state law, we are highlighting our comprehensive benefits package, which is available to all eligible US based employees. Benefits for this role include:

• Health, dental, vision, life, disability insurance
• Retirement Benefits: 401(k) with company match
• Paid Time Off: 20 days of vacation per year, accruing at a rate of 6.15 hours per pay period for the first five years of employment
• Sick Time: 40 hours/year (increased to 69 hours/year for Seattle) including 5 discretionary sick days per instance
• Maternity Leave (Short-Term Disability + Baby Bonding): 28-30 weeks
• Baby Bonding Leave: 18 weeks
• Holidays: 13 paid days per year