Principal Engineer, Systems Architecture Engineering

Flex; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Flex in Austin, TX is seeking a Principal Engineer, Systems Architecture Engineering to shape SpinCo's data center platforms. You will own reference architectures for modular and stick-built data centers, and drive a full design-build cycle across power, cooling, IT infra, and controls.

You will lead cross-functional technical decisions, author architecture specifications and system models, and partner with business units to ensure feasibility, reliability, and customer value in a rapidly

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Systems/Computer Engineering or related field.
• Master's degree preferred or equivalent experience.
• 12+ years of experience in systems architecture, data center infrastructure, or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Own system-level reference architectures for integrated data centers and modular offerings.
• Define complex controls systems architecture spanning power, cooling, telemetry, and AI optimization.
• Establish interfaces, standards, diagrams and requirements for a coordinated platform.
• Lead development of reference design libraries from concept to production readiness.
• Collaborate with Advanced Power, Validation, PM, and manufacturing teams for feasibility and value.
• Drive due diligence for acquisitions and partnerships affecting architecture.
• Represent SpinCo in strategic customer architecture discussions.

Skills

Leadership

Systems architecture

Data center infrastructure

Power delivery

Thermal management

Controls systems

Telemetry

IT infrastructure

Modular systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Masters' degree preferred or equivalent experience

Job description

Flex is the diversified manufacturing partner of choice that helps market-leading brands design, build and deliver innovative products that improve the world. A career at Flex offers the opportunity to make a difference and invest in your growth in a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative environment.

Flex intends to spin off its Cloud and Power Infrastructure segment into a new, independent publicly traded company, which we're calling SpinCo, until the name is unveiled. The spin is planned for Q1 2027. If the intended spin occurs, this role will support SpinCo, which will focus on critical digital infrastructure, delivering end-to-end power and thermal management solutions for AI data centers and other mission-critical applications.

To support our extraordinary teams who build great products and contribute to our growth, we're looking to add a Principal Engineer, Systems Architecture Engineering located in Austin, TX.

Reporting to the Chief Technology Officer, the Principal Engineer, Systems Architecture Engineering will define the integrated data center and modular systems architectures that convert SpinCo's power, cooling, IT infrastructure, controls, and software capabilities into a coordinated platform. This role owns reference architectures for modular and stick-built data centers, prefabricated modular and high-density compute product lines, system-level interfaces, and complex controls systems architecture and development. The position is central to making SpinCo's integrated, productized data center vision operational.

This is a hands-on technical leadership role. You will be in the details, generating architectures, models, specifications, and analysis yourself rather than only directing others to do so. We are looking for a leader who can run a full design-build cycle, set the technical bar by example, and is measured more by working hardware and validated designs than by decks and white papers.

What a typical day looks like:

• Own the system-level reference architectures for integrated data centers, modular data centers, prefabricated modular offerings, and high-density compute product lines.
• Define complex controls systems architecture spanning SpinCo power, cooling, telemetry, control systems, and AI-driven optimization.
• Establish system interfaces, integration standards, architecture specifications, block diagrams, and technical requirements that allow SpinCo and partner subsystems to operate as a coordinated platform.
• Lead development of the SpinCo reference design library from early concept through production-level design maturity in partnership with business units and engineering teams.
• Partner with Advanced Power, Advanced Cooling, Validation Test Engineering, Product Management, and manufacturing teams to ensure end-to-end platform feasibility, reliability, manufacturability, and customer value.
• Drive technical due diligence for acquisitions, partnerships, ecosystem decisions, and architecture-impacting technology investments.
• Represent SpinCo in strategic customer architecture discussions with hyperscalers, colocation providers, neoclouds, AE/GC partners, and technology partners.

The experience we're looking to add to our team:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related technical discipline; masters' degree preferred or equivalent experience.
• 12+ years of experience in systems architecture, data center infrastructure, controls, power/cooling integration, or complex electromechanical platform design.
• Demonstrated leadership in electrical, mechanical, and/or systems architecture engineering disciplines
• Strong technical breadth across power delivery, thermal management, controls, telemetry, IT infrastructure, automation, and modular systems.
• Experience defining architecture specifications, interface standards, system models, product requirements, and reference designs.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional technical decision-making in high-complexity engineering environments.
• Experience with hyperscale data centers, AI infrastructure, modular infrastructure, industrial automation, or critical power/cooling systems strongly preferred.
• Personally authored reference architectures, interface specifications, system models, and block diagrams for shipped or deployed systems.

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Flex is an Equal Opportunity Employer and employment selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. We do not discriminate based on: age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, pregnancy status, or any other status protected by law. We're happy to provide reasonable accommodations to those with a disability for assistance in the application process. Please email [e-mail] and we'll discuss your specific situation and next steps (NOTE: this email does not accept or consider resumes or applications. This is only for disability assistance. To be considered for a position at Flex, you must complete the application process first).