Principal Thermal Systems Product Engineer (onsite)

Johnson Controls; United States; On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Bonus plan

Job summary

Johnson Controls seeks a Principal Thermal Systems Engineer to lead the full lifecycle of next-generation data center cooling systems from concept to sustainment. Based in New Freedom, PA, the role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration to deliver certified, manufacturable solutions and to influence product performance, cost, and reliability.

You will drive decisions across thermal, controls, and electrical domains, work with SAP for changes, and guide teams to optimize layouts and system

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or similar.
• 4+ years in heat transfer analysis and thermal systems.
• 4+ years in commercial HVAC, preferably chillers.
• Experience with released thermal products or systems.
• Proficiency in CAD tools and scripting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage complex thermal product development projects and releases.
• Own full thermal system designs from concept to production launches; manage changes in SAP.
• Interface between R&D and design engineering to translate research into plans.
• Collaborate with design and manufacturing on layout concepts for cost/performance balance.
• Define specs for complete thermal systems including multi-domain requirements.
• Own PDP deliverables (DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plans) and lead validation tests.
• Lead process improvements across thermal product domains.
• May supervise a team of 2–5 engineers and technicians.
• Resolve escalated production and field issues through root-cause analysis.
• Secure and maintain agency approvals (UL, CE/PED, ASME, etc.).

Skills

Heat transfer analysis

Thermal system design

HVAC systems

Python scripting

CFD

FEA

MATLAB/Simulink

Controls fundamentals

Electrical systems basics

Refrigeration design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Creo

MathCAD

EES

ANSYS Fluent

Star-CCM+

OpenFOAM

Abaqus

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

About Johnson Controls Johnson Controls, a global leader in thermal management, mission-critical building systems, energy efficiency, and decarbonization, helps customers use energy more productively, reduce carbon emissions, and operate with the precision and resilience required in rapidly expanding industries such as data centers, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, and higher education. For more than 140 years, Johnson Controls has delivered performance where it really matters. Backed by advanced technology, lifecycle services and an industry-leading field organization, we elevate customer performance, turn goals into real-world results and help move society forward. Visit johnsoncontrols.com for more information and follow @Johnsoncontrols on socialplatforms.

What you will do

Johnson Controls is seeking a Principal Thermal Systems Engineer to help shape the future of data center cooling technology. As a key member of our Data Center Thermal Solutions team, you will take ownership of the complete product lifecycle for next-generation thermal systems, from early concept development and system architecture through certification, global production launch, and long-term product sustainment. In this highly visible role, you will collaborate with global cross-functional teams to transform customer needs and emerging technologies into innovative, certified, and manufacturable solutions. You will drive critical decisions that influence product performance, quality, cost, profitability, and market success while advancing cutting-edge thermal solutions for one of the world's fastest-growing industries. This position is based in New Freedom, PA, where onsite collaboration is essential to driving innovation and execution. Candidates should live within commuting distance or be open to relocation. Competitive relocation assistance packages are available.

How you will do it

• Plan and execute complex thermal product development projects and product releases.
• Own full thermal system designs from concept through production launches and manage engineering changes in SAP across global factories.
• Serve as the primary technical interface between research/advanced development teams and design engineering, translating research findings into actionable product development plans.
• Work closely with the design and manufacturing teams in generating layout concepts and system configurations that consider the best balance of cost, performance, and reliability.
• Define specifications for complete thermal systems including multi-domain requirements (thermal, controls, electrical) and manufacturing constraints.
• Own PDP deliverables (DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plans) and lead validation test programs.
• Lead process improvement initiatives across thermal product development domains.
• May supervise a team of 2‑5 engineers plus technicians on thermal system product development projects.
• Resolve escalated production and field issues through root cause and corrective action.
• Secure and maintain agency approvals (UL, CE/PED, ASME, and regional standards).

What you will need

• Required Minimum Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, or similar discipline.
• CAD proficiency (SolidWorks, Creo, or equivalent).
• Engineering calculations and documentation (MathCAD, EES, or equivalent).
• 4+ years of professional experience with heat transfer analysis (conduction, convection, two-phase), thermodynamic cycle analysis, fluid mechanics, hydraulic system design, and thermal system component sizing and selection.
• 4+ years of experience within the commercial HVAC industry; preferably chillers.
• 4+ years experience with released thermal products or systems.
• Preferred 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).
• HIRING SALARY RANGE: $100,000 - $130,000 (Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.) This role offers a competitive Bonus plan that will take into account individual, group, and corporate performance. This position includes a competitive benefits package. The posted salary range reflects the target compensation for this role. However, we recognize that exceptional candidates may bring unique skills and experiences that exceed the typical profile.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Johnson Controls International plc. is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a qualified individual with a disability or any other characteristic protected by law.

Johnson Controls: Enhancing the Intelligence of Buildings Your buildings have a purpose. They are places for people to live or work. Facilities for learning or healing. Venues for entertainment and shopping. Sites for the specialized storage of tangible goods or mission-critical data. Your buildings have a huge variety of functions; they are central to your mission. This is where Johnson Controls comes in, helping drive the outcomes that matter most. Through a full range of systems and digital solutions, we make your buildings smarter. A smarter building is safer, more comfortable, more efficient, and, ultimately, more sustainable. Most important, smarter buildings let you focus more intensely on your unique mission. Better for your people. Better for your bottom line. Better for the planet. At Johnson Controls, we’ve been making buildings smarter since 1885, and our capabilities, depth of innovation experience, and global reach have been growing ever since. Today, we offer the world’s largest portfolio of building products, technologies, software, and services; we put that portfolio to work to transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play.