R&D Director – Data Center & BESS

Valeo Service; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Valeo invites an experienced professional to lead the R&D organization for liquid cooling and power supply innovations in data centers and BESS. Based in the United States, you will shape the global technology roadmap, supervise international teams, and drive competitive platform development.

You will partner with procurement and business teams to align engineering programs with hyperscaler needs, while managing budgets and defining strategic collaborations.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree or Master's in Thermal Engineering, Electromechanics, or Power Electronics.
• Proven experience leading R&D projects and platforms.
• Strong knowledge of liquid cooling technologies and data center/BESS architectures.

Responsibilities

• Define global R&D roadmap for DLC and PSU solutions.
• Lead PoCs and support RFQs with hyperscalers.
• Build reusable technology blocks, architectures, and IPs.
• Manage global R&D budgets and develop regional teams.
• Identify strategic partners and Make-or-Buy decisions.

Skills

Global leadership

Budget management

R&D strategy

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Engineering degree

Master's in Thermal Engineering

Master's in Electromechanics

Master's in Power Electronics

Job description

Valeo is a tech global company, designing breakthrough solutions to reinvent the mobility. We are an automotive supplier partner to automakers and new mobility actors worldwide. Our vision? Invent a greener and more secured mobility, thanks to solutions focusing on intuitive driving and reducing CO2 emissions. We are leader on our businesses, and recognized as one of the largest global innovative companies.**Ready to tackle the challenges of the vehicle of the future? Join Valeo and revolutionize the comfort and well-being of all passengers!*****What you will win:***As part of a global community of talented people, you will grow and thrive working on advanced technologies for greener, safer and smarter mobility. Our company culture gives all our employees the opportunity every day to #Dare.Care.Share. You will receive a best in class, total compensation package that provides a comprehensive benefits program with real financial value.**About the Role:**As part of the development of our activities in critical infrastructure and artificial intelligence, we are looking for our **R&D Director – Data Center & BESS**. The position is based in **the US.** Reporting to the **Data Center & BESS VP**, you will define and lead the global technology roadmap for **liquid cooling (DLC)** and **power supply (PSU)** solutions dedicated to **Data Centers (Hyperscalers)** and **Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)**. You will structure the R&D organization, manage the teams, and ensure the competitiveness of our standard platforms. **Key Responsibilities*** **Product Strategy & Pre-Sales:** Define the global R&D roadmap, lead Proofs of Concept (PoCs), and provide technical expertise to support Business teams during Requests for Quotation (RFQs) with Hyperscaler customers.* **Platform & Standards Development:** Design reusable technology building blocks (design, architecture, patents) to maximize competitiveness and reduce time-to-market.* **Management & Budget Oversight:** Lead the global R&D organization, manage the activity's R&D budget (engineering hours, CAPEX, headcount), and develop the capabilities of regional technical teams.* **Ecosystem & Partnerships:** Define the Make-or-Buy strategy in collaboration with Procurement and identify new high-value strategic partners. **What You Should Have:*** You hold an Engineering degree or a Master's degree in Thermal Engineering, Electromechanics, or Power Electronics, and have proven experience leading R&D projects and/or platforms.* **Technical Expertise:** Strong knowledge of liquid cooling technologies and the electrical architectures of Data Centers / BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems).* **Key Skills:** Leadership of international teams, business-oriented mindset, strong command of R&D budget management, and a standards-driven culture.**Join us!**Thanks to its strategy focused on innovation, Valeo aims at reducing CO2 emissions and developing intuitive driving to propose greener, safer, and smarter mobility. The fantastic (r)evolution towards the vehicle of the future provides amazing career opportunities and challenging jobs!