Director, Mechanical Engineering - Energy and Power

About Nscale

Nscale is the GPU cloud engineered for AI. We provide cost-effective, high-performance infrastructure for AI start-ups and large enterprise customers. Nscale enables AI-focused companies to achieve superior results by reducing the complexity of AI development. Our GPU cloud bolsters technical capabilities and directly supports strategic business outcomes, including cost management, rapid innovation, and environmental responsibility.

We thrive on a culture of relentless innovation, ownership, and accountability, where every team member takes pride in their work and drives it with excellence and urgency. As an Nscaler, you'll build trust through openness and transparency, where everyone is inspired to do their best work. If you join our team, you'll be contributing to building the technology that powers the future.

About the Role

We are seeking a Director, Mechanical Engineering to help lead Nscale Energy and Power as we develop behind-the-meter and islanded microgrid generation assets that provide prime power for world-scale, mission-critical AI infrastructure.

You will own the mechanical basis of design across multiple sites, drive specification and selection of mechanical equipment, lead thermal analysis and heat rejection design, and carry mechanical scope through procurement, construction, and commissioning. This is a high-impact role for a mechanical engineering leader who can combine deep power generation expertise with pragmatic, fast-paced execution.

You will work closely with industry-leading partners, including Caterpillar and NVIDIA, on projects such as our 2+ GW Monarch Compute Campus, helping shape the mechanical engineering function as Nscale Energy and Power scales.

What You'll Be Doing

- Own the mechanical basis of design across generation assets, balance of plant, mechanical packages, piping, and building services for behind-the-meter power generation facilities.
- Embed reliability, maintainability, and operability requirements into mechanical design standards, equipment specifications, and reliability analysis, including FMEA and RAM studies.
- Establish and maintain mechanical design standards and reference architectures that enable repeatable, rapid deployment across multiple installations.
- Drive technical alignment between OEMs, EPCs, owner's engineers, and internal project teams on mechanical scope.
- Own heat rejection strategy and design, including generator-level cooling, cycle-level heat rejection, cooling equipment, pumps, valves, and ancillary mechanical packages.
- Lead combustion air intake, exhaust, generator building ventilation, and broader site aerothermal design across the generation fleet.
- Direct external CFD studies for intake recirculation, exhaust plume dispersion, and site-wide aerothermal performance.
- Own the acoustic engineering case across generator buildings, radiators, stacks, and site boundary receptors.
- Coordinate with OEMs and permitting teams on emissions control system design and performance.
- Lead specification, selection, and technical evaluation of mechanical equipment packages and balance of plant scope.
- Provide engineering support through long-lead equipment procurement, submittals, RFIs, field changes, and issue resolution during construction.
- Lead mechanical aspects of factory acceptance testing, site acceptance testing, and commissioning.
- Partner with operations and maintenance teams on operating procedures, maintenance access, and operator training for mechanical systems.
- Build and lead a high-performing mechanical engineering team, including hiring, mentoring, performance management, and career development.
- Partner cross-functionally with Power Systems, Construction, Commissioning, Operations, Procurement, and Permitting.
- Implement lessons learned from early deployments to improve reliability, maintainability, performance, and cost across the broader portfolio.

About You

- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
- 15+ years of mechanical engineering experience in power generation, large industrial or process facilities, or comparable mission-critical infrastructure, with significant time in design.
- 5+ years of engineering leadership experience, including people leadership and/or leading large, multi-site engineering programmes.
- Deep understanding of mechanical systems for reciprocating engines, gas turbines, steam turbines, or similar large prime mover generation assets.
- Experience with HRSG design, heat rejection, lube oil systems, combustion air, exhaust systems, SCR integration, and related mechanical scope.
- Familiarity with external CFD analysis and acoustic modelling, with the ability to critically direct third-party consultants.
- Working knowledge of ASME B31.1/B31.3, NFPA, AHJ permitting, and EPA NSPS/NESHAP requirements as they relate to mechanical scope.
- Demonstrated ability to manage technical execution across third-party design firms, OEMs, and EPC contractors on aggressive schedules.
- Strong presence, sound judgement, and a pragmatic, risk-based leadership style suited to fast-paced project environments.
- Willingness to travel to project sites, Nscale offices, and supplier offices as needed.

Nice to Have

- Direct experience with large reciprocating engine plant design.
- Professional Engineer license in Mechanical Engineering.
- Experience supporting large-scale data centre, AI infrastructure, or other mission-critical energy projects.
- Experience building a mechanical engineering function or scaling technical standards across a multi-site portfolio.

Why This Role Matters

- You'll help define the mechanical engineering foundations for power infrastructure that supports some of the world's most demanding AI workloads.
- You'll influence major design decisions across generation, cooling, ventilation, acoustics, procurement, construction, and commissioning.
- You'll build the team, standards, and execution model that allow Nscale Energy and Power to scale with speed, quality, and operational discipline.

What We Can Offer You

- Highly competitive package, including base salary and equity eligibility, with reviews every 12 months.
- Performance bonus and long-term incentive eligibility.
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
- Generous PTO plus US federal holidays.
- A career-defining opportunity to be an early member of one of the fastest-growing AI infrastructure companies in the world.
- A human-first approach that gives Nscalers the autonomy and flexibility needed to deliver meaningful work.
- The chance to help build cutting-edge AI infrastructure that is changing the industry and powering the next generation of technology.

Equal Opportunities Statement

We strongly encourage applications from people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, parents, carers, and people from lower socio-economic backgrounds. If there's anything we can do to accommodate your specific situation, please let us know.

The responsibilities outlined in this job description are not exhaustive and are intended to provide a general overview of the position. The employee may be required to perform additional duties, tasks, and responsibilities as assigned by management, consistent with the skills and qualifications required for the role.

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