Staff Data Center Thermal Systems Engineer

Job Summary

Johnson Controls' Data Center Product Architecture team is seeking a Staff Data Center Thermal Systems Engineer for the Advanced Technology & Innovation group. The role involves leading long-range planning for thermal product families and systems, owning product family thermal architecture, defining integration architecture ensuring platform compatibility, and influencing improvements to thermal system development processes across the organization.

About the Role

This position is based onsite, minimum 3 days per week, at our Advanced Technology and Innovation Center located in New Freedom, PA. Candidates must be commuting distance to the facility or able to relocate.

Responsibilities

• Lead long-range planning for thermal product families and systems; serve as thermal system architect
• Serve as thermal system architect
• Own product family thermal architecture; define integration architecture ensuring platform compatibility
• Define and coordinate specifications for product families; establish thermal performance standards
• Influence improvements to thermal system development processes across the organization
• Supervise technical team of 2-5 engineers plus technicians; lead multi-domain thermal integration efforts
• Strategic communicator representing thermal organization in planning; mentor Senior and Principal Engineers

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline
• 10+ years experience with multiple released thermal products/systems
• Chiller industry experience, or large industrial HVAC industry experience
• System-level expertise across thermal product families
• Expert in multiple technical domains (thermal, controls, electrical, mechanical)
• Microsoft 365/Excel (including basic macros/VBA for data analysis and reporting)
• CAD proficiency (SolidWorks, Creo, or equivalent)
• Engineering calculations and documentation (MathCAD, EES, or equivalent)
• Heat transfer analysis (conduction, convection, two-phase)
• Strong cross-domain knowledge across thermal, controls, electrical systems—generalists with 80% mastery across domains highly valued
• Thermodynamic cycle analysis
• Fluid mechanics and hydraulic system design
• Thermal system component sizing and selection
• Prototype fabrication and hands-on testing
• Cross-functional project execution

Preferred

• Master’s degree
• Software/Simulation experience
• Python scripting and environment management (package installation, virtual environments, basic automation)
• CFD (ANSYS Fluent, Star-CCM+, OpenFOAM, or equivalent)
• FEA (ANSYS Mechanical, Abaqus, or equivalent)
• MATLAB/Simulink for system modeling and controls
• Controls fundamentals (feedback loops, PID tuning, system response)
• Electrical systems basics (motor sizing, VFDs, power distribution)
• Refrigeration system design and refrigerant properties
• Data center cooling architectures (direct liquid cooling, rear-door heat exchangers, CDUs)
• Expert in one or more thermal domains (CDU, chiller, dry cooler, cold plate systems)