Principal Mechanical Product Engineer at Tract Capital Management, LP – Seattle, Washington

Tract is a team of digital infrastructure experts dedicated to accelerating responsible data center growth by developing master-planned data center parks with access to pre-positioned power and fiber in key markets. Our approach is collaborative with cities and counties to ensure development is targeted for optimal locations to maximize revenue and economic development benefits for the community, while being good stewards of the land and minimizing the impact on neighbors. Tract is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with real estate holdings throughout the United States.

Position Overview:

The Principal Mechanical Product Engineer bridges the gap between product vision and execution, and ensures mechanical products are manufactured efficiently and effectively by external providers to the design intent. They collaborate closely with both internal stakeholders and external suppliers to achieve optimal product outcomes within the contract manufacturing context. They interact with product managers, product engineers and the data center building engineering teams to develop mechanical products and processes to support the successful design, validation and production to support projected volumes at a global scale. The Principal Mechanical Product Engineer ensure the product solutions achieve the design intent while evaluating tradeoffs to achieve cost targets and timelines. Additionally, adherence to jurisdictional and global compliance requirements are table stakes in successful product development to production volumes.

The Principal Mechanical Product Engineering will advise on product roadmaps and market requirements and will focus closely on transitioning engineered products and prototypes to volume production. Collaboration with product engineers, data center project engineers, project managers, procurement professionals, compliance agents, commissioning agents, and contract manufacturers are all required for successful product introduction and the scaling of deployments.

Key Responsibilities:

Design Development

Influence and drive the development of products and solutions for data centers demonstrating industry leading efficiency, capacity, and use of new technologies to solve customers’ most challenging issues

Manufacturing Engagement / Oversight

Early collaborative engagement in product design stages to help define the end-to-end transition of products from engineering prototypes to scalable, manufacturable, production-ready units meeting quality, cost, and timeline targetsTeam up with partners to define and implement manufacturing strategies that align with product requirements and mutual business goals

Supplier Management

Managing relationships with manufacturers, ensuring they understand the product requirements and expectations

Project Management

Influencing product design process, including component and concept design decisions, timelines, budgets, and resources

Collaboration

Collaborating with internal teams (e.g., building design engineering, operations, project management, construction, commissioning, procurement, and financing) and external suppliers to ensure smooth product development and delivery

Code / Compliance

Liaise with external legal and compliance teams to interpret and drive regulatory requirements at a site levelWork with partners to ensure packaging, labeling, and documentation meet regulatory and market requirements

Planning

Open partnership in driving and managing supply chain alternatives for production materials, components, and finished goodsCollaboration with external partners for production planning that aligns with demand forecasts, quality standards, delivery timelines, and inventory targetsAlign production and delivery timelines with go-to-market strategies and commercial launch plans to ensure seamless product deployment

Quality / Test

Work in partnership to develop and provide clear, non-subjective Quality Testing Criteria for factory and on-site equipment and product testing within systemsCo-development of testing requirements and mechanisms with external partners for functional compliance to drive seamless executionDrive root cause analysis and corrective actions for test failures during New Product Introduction (NPI) stage

Communication

Support partners in new product introductions by helping to align manufacturing capabilities with design requirementsAct as the central point of contact to facilitate clear communication between engineering, manufacturing, quality, logistics, and commercial teams to identify and mitigate risks across the product lifecycleTranslate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable strategies for both technical and non-technical audiencesDelivering written and verbal presentations to internal leadership teamsInterfacing with senior leadership and diverse stakeholders

Documentation

Collaborate to define Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for material handling, product production, shipping, and deployment

Required Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field10+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, with at least 5 years focused on data center design and operations10+ years of experience with refrigeration and water-based heat rejection products and systems for mission critical applicationsProven history of delivering mechanical systems for large-scale data center projects, including experience with HVAC and cooling systems. Familiarity with structural and electrical equipmentFamiliarity with mechanical design software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit, CFD, etc.) and proficiency in tools for modeling and analyzing thermal and fluid dynamicsExpertise in sustainability, energy efficiency, and cost-saving measures related to data center mechanical systemsCommunication: Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable strategies for both technical and non-technical audiencesStakeholder Management: Strong ability to influence and manage key stakeholders across engineering, product, and operations teamsAnalytical Skills: Demonstrated success in analyzing program data, defining KPIs, and reporting on success metrics

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience working in global data center projects, navigating region-specific regulations and environmental conditionsHyperscaler: Familiarity with cloud providers’ data center requirements (AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle Cloud, and Meta)Data Center Cooling Technologies: Extensive experience developing data center cooling systems for both air and liquid-cooled environments in mixed ratiosGlobal Experience: Experience leading product launches in global markets, including knowledge of international land, energy, and/or data center regulations and complianceTechnical Background: A strong technical understanding of cloud services and infrastructure products and systemsVendor Management: Experience managing third-party vendors or contractors in the data center product, construction, and/or engineering launch lifecycle

Key Competencies:

Integrity and Ethical Standards: Build trust, ensure fairness, and foster long-term, transparent relationships with suppliersEffective Communication: The ability to clearly convey expectations and requirements to suppliers and negotiation parties, while understanding their needs and concerns. Comfortable delivering written and verbal presentations to internal leadership teamsEmotional Intelligence (EQ): Ability to understand the emotions, cultural nuances, and motivations of others, while effectively managing one's own emotions during high-pressure negotiationsStrategic Thinking: Ability to think big picture while also managing granular detailsAdaptability: Proven track record of managing change and ambiguity in a fast-paced environmentLeadership: Ability to manage cross-functional teams and external vendorsExperience with complex, multi-site projects: Manage multiple projects under tight deadlines and deliver exceptional resultsExcellent communication and presentation skills: Capable of interfacing with senior leadership and diverse stakeholdersCreative problem-solver: Ability to troubleshoot and optimize system performance effectivelyTeam Building: Ability to lead and develop a diverse, cross-functional team in high-pressure environments

Working Conditions:

This role requires occasional travel to data center sites and vendor/partner across multiple regions (up to 40% travel)Ability to work in both office environments manufacturing facilities, and active construction sites, adhering to all safety protocols

Expected Salary Range: $350,000 - $400,000 + Discretionary Bonus

Tract Employment:

Tract employees enjoy competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including 100% employer-covered medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401K program, standard paid holidays, and unlimited PTO.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

Tract is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment regardless of age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status. If you need assistance applying for any of our open positions, please contact us at info@tract.com.