Design Manager - Mechanical

The Design Manager will lead mechanical design management and quality assurance for the Western Downs Digital Park project. They will act as the mechanical subject matter expert, coordinating multidisciplinary design interfaces and ensuring compliance with project standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design management and ensure designs meet project baseline and Zerra standards
• Review and provide QA/QC assurance over mechanical design deliverables
• Audit mechanical designs for inconsistencies, discrepancies, missing information and interface risks
• Act as mechanical subject matter expert in design reviews and address escalations
• Coordinate mechanical interfaces with electrical, high‑voltage, controls, energy storage, civil, structural, architectural, fire and life‑safety disciplines
• Support technical discussions, knowledge sharing and development of Zerra Design Engineering Guidelines
• Participate in project gating reviews and advise on mechanical design maturity and risks
• Provide leadership and guidance to the WDDP Design and Engineering team on mechanical matters
• Support selection, briefing and performance review of mechanical design consultants
• Enforce Zerra standards and templates for mechanical documentation, adapting to Australian codes and building‑services requirements
• Engage with external consultants, contractors and suppliers to improve mechanical design management
• Identify mechanical quality and latent‑defect risks and lead resolution
• Evaluate mechanical product, vendor and digital design improvements

Requirements

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent relevant experience
• Chartered status with Engineers Australia and registration on the National Engineering Register preferred
• At least 10 years of mechanical design or design‑management experience in hyperscale data centres or comparable large‑scale industrial facilities
• Strong working knowledge of Australian mechanical and building‑services codes and standards (NCC, AS/NZS for ventilation, cooling, pressure systems, fire and life safety)
• Demonstrated capability in cooling, heat rejection, chilled‑water, ventilation, hydraulics and liquid‑cooling systems
• Commercial awareness of Australian construction‑market dynamics and mechanical equipment vendor landscape
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills
• Willingness to travel regularly to project locations

Key Skills