AI Factory Mechanical Engineer

NVIDIA

US, CA, Santa ClaraFull-timePosted 20h ago

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NVIDIA owned the way in accelerated computing to address problems beyond the reach of standard computers. Its creation of the GPU in 1999 ignited the expansion of PC gaming and transformed modern computer graphics. Now, NVIDIA drives AI forward as a full-stack computing firm. Its data center platforms fuel the upcoming industrial revolution, where intelligence is the product. Our efforts cover accelerated computing, AI, robotics, and the vital data center infrastructure. NVIDIA is now creating AI factories: custom facilities that generate intelligence at unmatched scale and density in data centers. These are not typical data centers; they require power- and cooling-heavy production setups with innovative mechanical systems, new build standards, and fresh engineering leadership. As NVIDIA expands, we seek outstanding engineers who continuously learn, are passionate about their work, and aspire to perform at their highest level.


The growth of NVIDIA's accelerated computing and AI infrastructure surpasses historical data center development and operation speeds. We want a highly motivated AI Factory Mechanical Design Engineer to take charge of next-generation liquid cooling and thermal systems for AI factories. Your responsibility will cover all phases, from concept to construction and commissioning, at a scale rarely seen before. This position is not about reviewing others' designs; you will be the engineering authority for systems lacking an established guide. You will join a small, high-impact team where your choices directly influence what is developed. You will set technical direction across hydronic, airside, and facility heat-rejection systems, mentor engineers across the organization, and drive programs that bring real megawatts of AI compute capacity online. Current focus areas include the technical roadmap for advanced mechanical systems, programmatic facility plans, owner-furnished equipment strategy, and adapting standardized plans to local site conditions.


What You'll Be Doing:

  • Lead data center product and facility builds, balancing cost, energy efficiency, schedule, and sustainability while integrating new technologies.
  • Own mechanical systems strategy and development, including liquid cooling, chiller plants, heat rejection, CDUs, and airside/hydronic systems, from concept through construction administration and commissioning.
  • Deliver design documentation and lead execution across all project phases (SD, DD, CD, CA) for greenfield, leased, and retrofit projects.
  • Partner with civil/structural, electrical, connectivity, controls, and hardware engineering to align rack-level thermal requirements with facility design, optimized for cost, speed, efficiency, and flexibility.
  • Drive prefabricated and modular construction strategies and build-to-break-ground schedules to accelerate deployment.
  • Act as NVIDIA’s owner’s representative: hold engineer-of-record teams accountable, prepare RFPs, manage contracts, and review change orders, submittals, RFIs, and value-engineering proposals.
  • Participate in factory witness testing, commissioning, and quality verification, and support handover and knowledge transfer into live operations.
  • Evaluate emerging technologies, standards, and sustainability targets (energy and water modeling), support site selection and master planning, and advance reliability and availability practices.

What We Need to See:

  • Possession of a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience.
  • 12+ years of mechanical engineering experience supporting critical facilities or large-scale data centers.
  • Proven expertise in liquid cooling systems, chiller plant development, and/or hydronic system development.
  • Experience leading large-scale mechanical infrastructure programs from concept through construction and commissioning.
  • Experience across all phases of design delivery (schematic design, design development, etc.).
  • Strong ability to communicate technical concepts in writing and presentations to both technical and non-technical audiences, including build reviews and executive briefings.

Ways to Stand Out from the Crowd:

  • Experience with prefabricated and modular construction (build for manufacturing and assembly), plus operations and deployment handover for data center mechanical systems.
  • Hardware thermal engineering background, including thermal build validation and product reliability, with deep expertise in availability and reliability engineering for critical infrastructure.
  • Proficiency in controls systems (BMS/EPMS integration, mechanical controls logic), electrical and MEP integration, and acoustics/noise engineering and regulatory compliance for mechanical equipment.
  • Familiarity with advanced simulation, modeling, or AI-driven build optimization tools.
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license in Mechanical Engineering required; track record of mentoring engineers and representing owner interests on large capital programs.

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and other objective job-related factors. The expected base salary ranges for this position are:
184,000 USD – 287,500 USD for Level 5; and 216,000 USD – 345,000 USD for Level 6.

You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until November 14, 2026.

This posting is for an existing vacancy. 

NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.

NVIDIA is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.

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