Senior Data Center Thermal Engineer

A.O. Smith; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A. O. Smith is seeking a senior mechanical engineer to lead data center thermal management initiatives, focusing on liquid cooling, heat rejection, and thermal storage.

The role spans concept through validation, with hands-on lab work and cross-functional collaboration. Travel up to 20–25% may be required. Required: MS in Mechanical Engineering or related thermal sciences; 5+ years in thermal systems or data center cooling; strong analytical and software skills (MATLAB, Python, CFD/FEA).

Qualifications

• MS in Mechanical Engineering or related thermal sciences; PhD preferred.
• 5+ years in thermal systems, HVAC/R, data center cooling, or related development.
• Strong understanding of data center thermal management.
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, CFD/FEA, and data analysis.
• Ability to design and validate liquid cooling test loops.

Responsibilities

• Lead senior-level engineering projects focused on data center thermal management, from concept definition through validation and implementation.
• Serve as the technical lead on data center cooling architectures, including air cooling, direct-to-chip liquid cooling, immersion cooling, and facility water systems.
• Assess opportunities for A. O. Smith technologies in data center heat reuse, thermal storage, hot water generation, water treatment interfaces, and related applications.
• Prototype, simulate, and validate thermal management solutions in lab and real-world environments; generate validation data for system models.
• Coordinate activities of engineers, technicians, prototype shop resources, suppliers, and external collaborators for concept demonstrations.
• Mentor engineering design team members on data center thermal fundamentals, liquid cooling trends, heat reuse, and model-informed design workflows.
• Conduct project meetings and prepare status reports for internal stakeholders.
• Document innovations through patents, technical reports, publications, and trade secrets.
• Monitor emerging technologies in data center cooling, HVAC/R, heat transfer, thermal storage, controls, and sustainability; engage with industry groups (ASHRAE, ASME, OCP).
• Other projects and duties as assigned.

Skills

Thermal management

Data center cooling

Liquid cooling

Heat transfer

Hydronics

Matlab

Python

CFD/FEA

LabVIEW

Uncertainty quantification

Experimental testing

Project leadership

Data acquisition

Education

MS in Mechanical Engineering or related thermal sciences

PhD preferred

Tools

CDUs

Cold plates

Heat exchangers

Dry coolers

Chillers

Pumps

Valves

Controls

Water treatment interfaces

Job description

Company / Location Information

A.O. Smith is a global leader applying innovative technologies and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. The company is one of the world's leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a manufacturer of water treatment products for residential and light commercial applications. A. O. Smith is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with approximately 12,000 employees at operations in the United States, Canada, China, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Primary Function

Provide senior-level technical expertise in data center thermal management, with an emphasis on liquid cooling, heat rejection, heat recovery and thermal storage. Evaluate data center cooling architectures, develop engineering concepts, support prototype and laboratory validation, and guide cross-functional teams on thermal system opportunities aligned with A. O. Smith capabilities. The role supports the full project lifecycle from opportunity assessment and concept development through testing, validation, and implementation. Approximately 60-70% of the role involves hands-on laboratory experimentation, partner evaluation, and field or customer-facing technical assessment. Travel may be required up to 20-25% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Lead senior-level engineering projects focused on data center thermal management, from concept definition through validation and implementation.
• Serve as the technical lead on data center cooling architectures, including air cooling, direct-to-chip liquid cooling, immersion cooling, and facility water systems
• Assess opportunities for A. O. Smith technologies in data center heat reuse, thermal storage, hot water generation, water treatment, and packaged mechanical room solutions, including concepts that capture, store, upgrade, or reject data center waste heat for building, district, edge, or industrial applications.
• Prototype, simulate, and validate thermal management solutions in laboratory and real-world environments, and generate experimental validation data for the company's system-level models.
• Coordinate activities of engineers, technicians, prototype shop resources, suppliers, and external collaborators in support of concept demonstrations.
• Mentor engineering design team members on data center thermal fundamentals, liquid cooling trends, heat reuse, and model-informed design workflows.
• Conduct project meetings and prepare status reports for internal stakeholders.
• Document innovations through patents, technical reports, publications, and trade secrets.
• Monitor emerging technologies in data center cooling, HVAC/R, heat transfer, thermal storage, controls, and sustainability; bring innovative ideas to the table through industry groups and technical forums such as ASHRAE, ASME, OCP, or equivalent organizations.
• Other projects and duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• MS in Mechanical Engineering or related thermal sciences discipline required; PhD preferred.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in thermal systems, HVAC/R, hydronics, data center cooling, heat transfer, or applied thermal-fluid product development; advanced graduate research in these domains counts toward this requirement.
• Strong understanding of data center thermal management, including air cooling, liquid cooling, heat rejection, facility water systems, coolant loops, and thermal reliability requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to translate market or customer needs into practical engineering requirements, concepts, test plans, and technical recommendations.
• Strong experimental and analytical background in heat transfer, fluid mechanics, HVAC/R systems, hydronic systems, or thermal storage.
• Familiarity with data center cooling equipment such as CDUs, cold plates, heat exchangers, dry coolers, chillers, pumps, valves, controls, and water treatment interfaces.
• Ability to design and build liquid cooling test loops and conduct validation campaigns on cold plate, CDU, or calorimetric test stands, including instrumentation selection, data acquisition, data reduction, and uncertainty quantification.
• Experience with engineering analysis tools such as MATLAB, Python, Excel, LabVIEW, Minitab, EES, CFD, FEA, or equivalent tools.
• Ability to evaluate external suppliers, technologies, and partners from both a technical and practical implementation perspective.
• Excellent analytical, written, and oral communication skills.
• Strong time management and prioritization across multiple concurrent projects.
• Demonstrated professionalism and collaboration consistent with A. O. Smith values.

Preferred

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field with research or industry focus in heat transfer, liquid cooling, data center thermal management, thermal storage, or heat reuse systems

We Offer

Competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits plans which include medical and dental insurance, company-sponsored life insurance, retirement security savings plan, short- and long-term disability programs and tuition assistance.

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ADA Statement & EEO Statement

In developing this job description care was taken to include all competencies needed to successfully perform in this position. However, for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) purposes, the essential functions of the job may or may not have been described for purposes of ADA reasonable accommodation. All reasonable accommodation requests will be reviewed and evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, marital or military status. We also provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local law.