Sr. Director, Cooling & Chiller Systems

About the Company

For over 130 years, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group’s innovative and integrated solutions have demonstrated our commitment to creating a positive social impact around the globe. Our range of products and services is tailored to meet our customers’ evolving needs across the commercial aviation, energy, transportation and infrastructure, machinery, defense and space systems sectors. Our culture embraces diversity and cooperation, and we promote a healthy balance of professional and personal development, ensuring that your ideas and expertise are valued and respected.

About the Role

The Senior Director of Cooling & Chiller Systems for DCEM America leads the strategy, design, and development of advanced cooling solutions for data center and energy management applications across North America. This role is accountable for the engineering development of Centrifugal Chillers, Modular Chiller Plants (MCP), and Coolant Distribution Units (CDU), ensuring performance, scalability, reliability, and compliance with North American standards and certifications. The role also leads key initiatives, including product localization and certification, development of integrated MCP solutions, and the advancement of liquid cooling technologies.

This leader establishes engineering capabilities, system architectures, and product platforms aligned with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.'s global standards while addressing regional market requirements. Reporting to the General Manager of DCEM America, this position works closely with global engineering teams in Japan, regional partners, suppliers, and cross-functional stakeholders in engineering, program management, supply chain, manufacturing, and service to deliver high-performance, market-ready cooling solutions that support DCEM’s strategic business growth in North America.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the cooling systems product strategy for DCEM America, including Centrifugal Chillers, MCP, and CDU solutions.
• Lead development of scalable, high-efficiency cooling architectures for data center applications, including both air and liquid cooling domains.
• Drive the technical roadmap for next-generation cooling systems, aligning it with market trends and customer requirements.
• Oversee system-level design, integration, and optimization of Centrifugal Chiller Systems, MCP platforms, and CDU units.
• Ensure robust engineering processes across concept design, detailed design, validation, and product release.
• Establish design standards, engineering methodologies, and best practices aligned with global MHI engineering frameworks.
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams across mechanical, thermal, electrical, and controls domains.
• Lead efforts to ensure compliance of Centrifugal Chillers and cooling systems with North American regulatory and certification requirements (e.g., UL and other regulations, if required).
• Drive product localization to meet regional codes, standards, and customer specifications.
• Manage technical engagement with certification agencies and regulatory bodies.
• Lead the development of Modular Chiller Plant (MCP) systems that integrate Centrifugal Chillers, controls, piping, and auxiliary systems into modular solutions.
• Drive system integration including electrical, mechanical, and control interfaces for modular deployment.
• Collaborate with partners and suppliers to develop manufacturable, scalable MCP solutions.
• Lead development and commercialization of CDU systems for liquid-cooled data center environments.
• Oversee the integration of CDU with IT and facility systems to ensure performance and reliability.
• Drive innovation in liquid cooling technologies, including system optimization and control strategies.
• Oversee execution of development programs from requirements definition through design, prototyping, testing, certification, and commercialization.
• Ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within scope, and aligned with business objectives.
• Integrate engineering deliverables with program management and commercial milestones.
• Establish and scale the cooling systems engineering organization in North America.
• Define roles, responsibilities, reporting structures, and talent development strategies.
• Build technical capabilities and ensure effective knowledge transfer between Japan and North America.
• Collaborate with program management, supply chain, manufacturing, quality, and service teams to ensure end-to-end solution delivery.
• Provide executive-level reporting on engineering progress, risks, and mitigation plans.
• Partner with global stakeholders to align technical direction and priorities.
• Drive continuous improvement in engineering processes, product performance, and cost competitiveness.
• Identify and mitigate technical and program risks.
• Lead lessons learned and feedback loops into future product development.

Requirements

• B.A. or B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Engineering, or related engineering field.
• Minimum of seventeen (17) years of experience in HVAC, cooling systems, thermal systems, or related industrial engineering fields, with at least seven (7) years in senior leadership roles.
• Extensive experience in design and development of large-scale cooling systems, including thermal systems for mission-critical applications.
• Experience with North American certification processes (UL, ETL, NRTL) for HVAC or industrial equipment.
• Experience in data center cooling systems, including modular cooling plants or large centrifugal chillers.
• Strong knowledge of North American codes, standards, and regulatory frameworks applicable to HVAC and industrial cooling systems.
• Proven experience in leading complex system development programs from concept through commercialization.
• Demonstrated ability to build and lead engineering organizations and manage cross-functional teams.
• Strong technical expertise in system integration, thermodynamics, and cooling system design.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, including executive-level engagement.
• Experience working with global teams and cross-regional collaboration.
• Proficiency with engineering and business tools (CAD, simulation tools, MS Office, PLM systems).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with liquid cooling technologies and CDU systems.
• Experience in global organizations and cross-cultural collaboration (Japan–U.S. experience preferred).
• Familiarity with digital engineering tools, simulation, and optimization platforms.

Schedule

Standard Monday through Friday work week; additional hours as required based on business needs.

Travel

25–40% (domestic and occasional international).

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• 401K Matching
• Paid vacation, sick time, and 15 holidays