R&D Director – Data Center & BESS

PL03 VALEO SERVICE EASTERN EUROPE Sp. zo.o; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Performance bonus

Job summary

Valeo seeks an experienced R&D Director – Data Center & BESS to define and lead the global technology roadmap for liquid cooling and power supply solutions for data centers and energy storage. Based in the United States, you will build the R&D organization and guide international teams.

Reporting to the VP, you will manage budgets, drive PoCs with hyperscaler customers, and shape platform development while collaborating with procurement and partners to keep Valeo at the forefront of greener,

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Define the global R&D roadmap, lead PoCs, and support RFQs with Hyperscaler customers.
• Design reusable tech building blocks to maximize competitiveness and reduce time-to-market.
• Lead the global R&D organization, manage engineering hours, CAPEX, and headcount.
• Define Make-or-Buy strategy with Procurement and identify high-value partners.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

R&D strategy

Standards-driven culture

Education

Engineering degree

Master's in Thermal Engineering / Electromechanics / 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.

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.

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!

Diversity by nature. At Valeo, innovation is driven by the diversity, authenticity and energy of its talents.

You are looking for new technological and human adventures?

More information about valeo : https://www.valeo.com

Job: R&D Management Organization: Power Thermal Americas Schedule: Full time Employee Status: Regular Job Type: Permanent contract Job Posting Date: 2026-09-24

• one of the largest global innovative companies, with more than 20,000 engineers working in Research & Development
• a multi-cultural environment that values diversity and international collaboration
• more than 100,000 colleagues in 31 countries... which make a lot of opportunity for career growth
• a business highly committed to limiting the environmental impact if its activities and ranked by Corporate Knights as the number one company in the automotive sector in terms of sustainable development

More information on Valeo: https://www.valeo.com Valeo is a global tech company, designing breakthrough solutions to reinvent the mobility industry. We are leader on our businesses, and recognized as one of the largest innovative companies. We offer a large number of job opportunities that are as diverse as they are rewarding. Whether you are a student seeking an internship, a recent graduate, or an experienced professional, you will find an interesting opportunity at Valeo for you! More information on www.valeo.com

As part of a global community of passionate people, you will grow and thrive, setting the trend through advanced technologies, for greener, safer, and smarter mobility. All our employees are gathered around our common culture and have everyday the opportunity to #Dare.Care.Share