Principal Mechanical Engineer - CFD, Data Centers

Job Description

AECOM is seeking a hands-on CFD Engineer to join its Data Center team. This individual-contributor role is responsible for executing internal and external airflow, thermal, and equipment-discharge studies with minimal oversight. The successful candidate will convert complex simulation results into practical design actions, clearly communicate assumptions and limitations, and help establish repeatable, high-quality CFD workflows across multiple concurrent projects.

• Own the full CFD study lifecycle: clarify the design question, define scope and acceptance criteria, develop the methodology, build geometry, generate the mesh, establish boundary conditions, solve, verify convergence, post-process results, and issue technical reports.
• Perform internal data hall studies addressing rack inlet temperatures, airflow distribution, hot- and cold-aisle containment, bypass and recirculation, raised-floor or slab configurations, cooling-unit placement, rack density, failure modes, and capacity-expansion scenarios.
• Perform external studies for cooling towers, chillers, dry coolers, generator and boiler exhaust, mechanical yards, relief air, outdoor-air intakes, heat rejection, plume behavior, short-circuiting, and thermal re-entrainment.
• Conduct steady-state and transient analyses for cooling-system outages, equipment failures, load changes, control sequences, thermal ride-through, and other operating scenarios defined by the project team.
• Develop defensible modeling assumptions using design documents, equipment data, controls narratives, weather data, commissioning information, and field measurements; identify data gaps and document their impact on conclusions.
• Apply sound verification and validation practices, including mesh-sensitivity checks, mass and energy balance reviews, convergence assessment, comparison with hand calculations, and correlation to measured or monitoring data when available.
• Evaluate results against project-specific criteria and relevant guidance, including ASHRAE TC 9.9 thermal guidance and applicable client, code, and industry requirements.
• Translate findings into prioritized, actionable recommendations for equipment selection, airflow management, containment, intake/exhaust separation, controls, phasing, redundancy, and operational resilience.
• Prepare concise, client-ready reports and visualizations that clearly communicate methodology, assumptions, scenarios, results, risks, limitations, and recommended next steps.
• Present findings and coordinate directly with multidisciplinary project teams to resolve issues and confirm implementation of recommendations.
• Contribute to standardized templates, modeling procedures, quality-control checklists, libraries, and lessons learned; support technical knowledge sharing and mentoring of less-experienced staff.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of hands-on CFD experience, including direct application to data centers, mission-critical facilities, or similarly complex thermal-management environments.
• Demonstrated success independently delivering CFD studies from scoping through final report, including geometry preparation, meshing, solver setup, convergence assessment, post-processing, and engineering interpretation.
• Proficiency with at least one data-center or general-purpose CFD platform, such as Cadence 6SigmaDCX, Ansys Fluent, Ansys CFX, or OpenFOAM, and the ability to learn and apply project-required tools.
• Strong fundamentals in fluid mechanics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, turbulence modeling, and HVAC system operation.
• Experience modeling both internal environments, such as IT spaces and containment systems, and external environments, such as mechanical yards, cooling equipment, intakes, and exhaust discharges.
• Ability to develop appropriate boundary conditions from design information and equipment performance data, and to explain the sensitivity of results to key assumptions.
• Working knowledge of data center cooling architectures, HVAC systems, redundancy concepts, controls and failure scenarios, and common thermal performance metrics.
• Strong technical writing, visualization, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex results to engineering teams, project managers, and clients.
• Advanced level of English, written and spoken.

Additional Information

• Relocation assistance is not available for this position.
• Sponsorship for Colombia work authorization is not available for this position, now or in the future.

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.