Thermal Systems Fellow

Job Summary

Johnson Controls' Data Center Product Architecture team is seeking a Data Center Thermal Systems Fellow for the Advanced Technology & Innovation group. This role sets technical direction for thermal technology strategy across the organization, leading cross-divisional thermal platform alignment and developing technical strategies for reconciling and assimilating thermal system and product platforms across divisions, the corporation, and with external partners.

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

• Drive long-range planning of enterprise thermal system strategies globally; lead system-level planning on corporate collaborative initiatives
• Define corporate thermal integration strategy; lead cross-divisional thermal platform alignment
• Define corporate thermal system architecture strategy; develop technical strategies for platform reconciliation across divisions and partners
• Set technical direction for thermal technology across the organization with wide latitude for decision-making
• Focus on state of the industry and strategic business objectives; industry thought leader
• Technical advisor for corporate strategic planning; mentor Sr Staff and Lead Staff Engineers globally

Requirements

• Master’s degree required, preferably in Mechanical Engineering
• 18+ years experience recognized across the industry
• Corporate thermal technology expert with advanced understanding of thermal technology interactions across product platforms and market applications
• Acknowledged global technical/business leader with corporate influence on inter-divisional initiatives
• Data center cooling architecture industry knowledge and experience (direct liquid cooling, rear-door heat exchangers, CDUs)
• Enterprise thermal systems expert
• 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
• Troubleshooting and prototype fabrication skills
• 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

• Ph.D.
• 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)
• Expertise in one or more thermal domains (CDU, chiller, dry cooler, cold plate systems)