Principal Engineer, Data Center Thermal Management

UL Solutions; Northbrook (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

UL Solutions, headquartered in Illinois, seeks a Regional/Global SME to lead technical standards and testing programs across multiple technologies. You will serve on standards committees, publish articles, and guide regulatory comprehension for your scope.

The role involves operating and maintaining test equipment and training staff, with occasional client-site and industry-event travel. The position emphasizes global collaboration, continuous improvement, and adherence to UL's Code of Conduct

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal/Fluid Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Applied Physics from an accredited university program.
• Minimum 12+ years of direct, progressive engineering experience in high-density data center cooling design, HPC or hyperscale cloud ecosystems.
• Proven leadership with experience managing cross-functional global teams and enforcing corporate codes of conduct and security protocols.

Responsibilities

• Boundary Architect (Regulatory & Standards)
• Hazard Protocols: Engineer safety evaluations for coolant leaks and refrigerant chemistry.
• Commercial Vision: Convert thermal management trends into profitable commercial services.
• Ecosystem Developer (OCP & Market Alignment)
• OCP Standardization: Embed UL safety philosophies into specifications for open cooling platforms.
• Service Creation: Launch UL Verified programs to validate cooling dissipation.
• Industry Influence: Drive technical consensus across vendors and industry groups.
• Sustainability & Regulatory Driver: Align offerings with regulatory frameworks.
• Global Compliance: Ensure compliance with DOE, NRCan, EU EED and Ecodesign.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Program management

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Thermal/Fluid Engineering

Aerospace Engineering

Applied Physics

Job description

• Serves as Regional or Global SME for multiple technologies.
• Serves as representative on standards committees.
• Publishes articles related to technical expertise.
• Studies and understands test standards, testing technology, and regulations for scope of responsibility.
• Takes on role as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for standards, industry, and/or test capability.
• May represent UL at industry related functions such as seminars, trade shows or standards committees.
• Manages or develops new standard programs and capabilities for region or globally.
• Has detailed understanding of test techniques, procedures, and equipment.
• Performs complex test procedures when necessary.
• Provides training to staff when necessary.
• Follows up on contacts from clients and communicates technical issues, Test Standard explanations, certification requirements and UL procedures and requirements.
• Acts to address client concerns and resolve issues for a region or global office.
• Drives for consistency and enhanced quality in area of expertise.
• Within their region, or for the wider organization, operates and maintains test equipment appropriately to measure and test customer samples.
• Performs maintenance on designated test equipment and laboratory area.
• May perform calibration of test equipment.
• Integrates continuous improvement concepts and techniques into all aspects of the job for a region or global office.
• Manages and reviews related internal documents for accuracy.
• Develops special test methods and test equipment for new standards, test requirements, or improved efficiency, when needed.
• Likely to support the business externally through travelling to meetings at client sites, attendance at industry related events and other meetings.
• Read and follow the Underwriters Laboratories Code of Conduct and follow all physical and digital security practices.
• Performs other duties as directed.

Job Description

• Serves as Regional or Global SME for multiple technologies.
• Serves as representative on standards committees.
• Publishes articles related to technical expertise.
• Studies and understands test standards, testing technology, and regulations for scope of responsibility.
• Takes on role as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for standards, industry, and/or test capability.
• May represent UL at industry related functions such as seminars, trade shows or standards committees.
• Manages or develops new standard programs and capabilities for region or globally.
• Has detailed understanding of test techniques, procedures, and equipment.
• Performs complex test procedures when necessary.
• Provides training to staff when necessary.
• Follows up on contacts from clients and communicates technical issues, Test Standard explanations, certification requirements and UL procedures and requirements.
• Acts to address client concerns and resolve issues for a region or global office.
• Drives for consistency and enhanced quality in area of expertise.
• Within their region, or for the wider organization, operates and maintains test equipment appropriately to measure and test customer samples.
• Performs maintenance on designated test equipment and laboratory area.
• May perform calibration of test equipment.
• Integrates continuous improvement concepts and techniques into all aspects of the job for a region or global office.
• Manages and reviews related internal documents for accuracy.
• Develops special test methods and test equipment for new standards, test requirements, or improved efficiency, when needed.
• Likely to support the business externally through travelling to meetings at client sites, attendance at industry related events and other meetings.
• Read and follow the Underwriters Laboratories Code of Conduct and follow all physical and digital security practices.
• Performs other duties as directed.

Responsibilities

• Boundary Architect (Regulatory & Standards)
• Hazard Protocols: Engineer safety evaluations for coolant leaks, dielectric fluid chemistry, and A2L/A3 refrigerant flammability.
• Commercial Vision: Convert thermal management trends and safety metrics into profitable commercial services.
• Ecosystem Developer (OCP & Market Alignment)
• OCP Standardization: Embed UL safety philosophies into Cold Plate, Immersion, and Heat Reuse open specifications.
• Service Creation: Launch 'UL Verified' programs to validate cold plate dissipation and universal quick disconnect (UQD) interchangeability.
• Industry Influence: Drive technical consensus across competing vendors, hyperscalers, ASHRAE TC 9.9, and the Green Grid.
• Sustainability & Regulatory Driver
• Heat Reuse Certification: Architect programs to rate waste heat quality for predictable utility grid monetization.
• Global Compliance: Align offerings with DOE, NRCan, EU EED, and Ecodesign frameworks ahead of regulatory enforcement.

Key Essential Tasks

• Performance Testing: Operationalize lab suites validating cold plate thermal resistance, pressure drop, and hydraulic impedance.
• Blind-Mate Interoperability: Establish mechanical regimes for Open Rack V3 (ORv3) manifolds to prevent binding and bypass.
• Dielectric Compatibility: Standardize chemical and electrical compatibility tests between immersion fluids and server components.
• Leak Detection Integration: Map unified Redfish API schemas to trigger automated isolation across CDUs and loops.
• Thought Leadership: Publish white papers on regulatory minefields like PFAS restrictions and global F-Gas phasedowns.
• Workforce Training: Build global laboratory capacity through standardized internal engineering curricula.

Qualifications

• Formal Educational Background: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal/Fluid Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Applied Physics from an accredited university program.
• Direct Professional Experience: A minimum of 12+ years of direct, progressive engineering experience in high-density data center cooling design, advanced HVACR product development, or comprehensive thermal management engineering within high-performance computing (HPC) or hyperscale cloud ecosystems.
• Track Record of Leadership: Demonstrated history of direct management or programmatic leadership of high-performing, cross-functional global teams of technical experts and laboratory specialists, with a clear adherence to formal corporate codes of conduct and comprehensive digital/physical security protocols.

What we offer:

• Total Rewards: We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. The estimated salary range for this position is $155,000-$175,000 and is based on multiple factors, including job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, as well as other factors. This position is eligible for annual bonus compensation with a target payout of 20% of the base salary. This position also provides health benefits such as medical, dental and vision; wellness benefits such as mental and financial health; and retirement savings (401K) commensurate with the standard rewards offered in each individual location or country. We also provide full-time employees with paid time off including vacation (15 days), holiday including floating holidays (12 days) and sick time off (72 hours).