Senior Mechanical Engineer - Thermal Solutions

Central States Industrial (CSI); Springfield (MO); On-site; USD 125,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellness benefits

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Company-provided tools and equipment

Company-paid travel and hotel

Company-paid meals and travel expenses

Job summary

Central States Industrial (CSI) is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer – Thermal Systems to lead the engineering of large skidded and packaged thermal equipment, including CDUs for direct-liquid-cooled data centers. You will own thermal performance, hydraulic design, and mechanical and structural integrity from design basis through fabrication, testing, and field support.

You’ll shape CSI’s product platforms, standards, and configurations while partnering with Engineering, Manufacturing,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering required.
• 7+ years of mechanical engineering experience designing skidded or packaged equipment.
• Experience in data center liquid cooling or process cooling; familiarity with codes.

Responsibilities

• Own thermal and fluid-system design bases including heat exchanger sizing and pumps.
• Lead mechanical and structural design of large skids and frames.
• Perform structural analyses using hand calculations and finite element methods.
• Collaborate across teams and support start‑up, commissioning, and field troubleshooting.
• Ensure published performance figures are supported by engineering documentation.

Skills

Heat transfer

Hydraulic system design

Mechanical design

Finite element analysis

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Autodesk Inventor

Vault

Job description

Location: Based out of Springfield, MO

CSI is looking for an experienced Senior Mechanical Engineer – Thermal Systems to lead the engineering of large skidded and packaged thermal equipment, including Coolant Distribution Units (CDUs) for direct-liquid-cooled data centers. This role owns thermal performance, hydraulic design, and mechanical and structural integrity from design basis through fabrication, testing, and field support.

Pay: $125,000-$137,500, annually

Location: Based out of Springfield, MO

CSI is looking for an experienced Senior Mechanical Engineer – Thermal Systems to lead the engineering of large skidded and packaged thermal equipment, including Coolant Distribution Units (CDUs) for direct-liquid-cooled data centers. This role owns thermal performance, hydraulic design, and mechanical and structural integrity from design basis through fabrication, testing, and field support.

You’ll shape the product platforms, standards, and configurations that CSI builds, while partnering with Engineering, Manufacturing, Production, Supply Chain, and customer‑facing teams. The position also supports CSI’s engineered‑to‑order equipment business serving food, dairy, beverage, personal care, pharmaceutical, biotech, and nutraceutical markets.

This is an opportunity to take technical ownership of complex equipment, improve repeatability and manufacturability, and ensure the performance CSI communicates to customers is supported by accurate, documented engineering.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Own thermal and fluid-system design bases, including heat exchanger sizing and rating, hydraulic models, pump and drive selection, operating limits, and supporting fluid-system components.
• Lead mechanical and structural design of large skids, including frames, equipment layouts, load distribution, lifting and transport requirements, materials, weld requirements, corrosion protection, and thermal expansion.
• Perform structural analyses using hand calculations and finite element methods, and prepare calculation packages for external engineering certification review.
• Serve as the engineering authority for assigned product platforms by resolving shop‑floor design issues, dispositioning non‑conformances, supporting factory acceptance testing, and improving design for manufacturing and assembly.
• Own platform configurations, revision control, engineering standards, calculation methods, and tools to support consistent, repeatable builds and reliable repeat orders.
• Prepare and validate the technical engineering content for quotes, proposals, datasheets, and specifications; ensure published performance figures are supported by documented engineering.
• Collaborate with customers and cross‑functional teams throughout the project lifecycle, support start‑up, commissioning, and field troubleshooting, and mentor engineers and designers in thermal, fluid‑system, and skid design.

Who This Is For

You’re a technically strong engineer who takes ownership, works independently, and translates complex engineering requirements into safe, reliable, manufacturable equipment.

• Analytical problem‑solver with strong applied heat‑transfer, hydraulic‑system, and mechanical design skills.
• Able to make sound engineering decisions, document calculations, and communicate technical information clearly.
• Collaborative partner who works effectively with production, manufacturing engineering, supply chain, controls, CAD/design, customers, and suppliers.
• Committed to safety, quality, compliance, continuous improvement, and helping others develop their technical capabilities.

Required Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering required.
• 7+ years of mechanical engineering experience designing skidded or packaged fluid‑handling, thermal, or industrial heat‑transfer equipment from customer specification through fabrication, testing, and field start-up.
• Demonstrated depth in applied heat transfer and hydraulic system design, with working structural‑analysis capability using hand calculations and finite element methods.
• Experience in data center liquid cooling, industrial refrigeration, or process cooling.
• Familiarity with AWS D1.1/D1.6, ASME B31.3, AISC, and ASME BTH-1; CSI will train a strong engineer on code application.
• Familiarity with hygienic equipment standards, including 3-A, EHEDG, and ASME BPE.
• Autodesk Inventor and Vault or equivalent 3D CAD and product data management tools preferred.
• Microsoft Office, ERP databases, and other business applications proficiency preferred.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Work Environment / Physical Requirements

This role is primarily office-based with regular interaction across internal teams and manufacturing operations. More than 40 hours per week will typically be required to achieve the productivity necessary for this position, and overnight travel, Saturday, Sunday, and holiday hours may be required.

The position requires the ability to interact with employees verbally and in writing, remain stationary for approximately 80% of the workday, maintain close visual acuity, and continuously operate a computer and other office productivity equipment, with or without reasonable accommodation. Occasional lifting, stooping, bending, and lifting office products and supplies up to 20 pounds may be required.

CSI provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process.

Why CSI

• Competitive hourly pay: $125,000-$137,500, annually
• Health and wellness benefits
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Company-provided tools and required equipment
• Company-paid travel and hotel accommodations
• Company-paid meals and eligible travel expenses
• Opportunities for continuing education and professional growth
• Team-oriented work environment
• Opportunities to participate in company activities and community events

About CSI

CSI provides state‑of‑the‑art stainless‑steel process equipment and services to the food, dairy, beverage, pharmaceutical, and personal care industries.

We are a growing company with a passion for providing superior customer service. Our work environment is rooted in respect, teamwork, continual learning, growth, and community.

We believe our employees are our greatest resource, which is why we are committed to investing in our team. We offer a wide range of benefits including health and wellness, paid time off, retirement planning, and continuing education support. We also enjoy hosting company luncheons, casual Fridays, a wellness program, and providing opportunities for volunteering in local community charitable events.

Equal Opportunity Employer

CSI has a long-standing policy of Equal Opportunity in employment. Our practice is to fill positions by selecting applicants who can perform the work in a competent and professional manner. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or individuals with disabilities.

U.S. federal law requires completion of employment eligibility verification upon hire. CSI participates in E-Verify. Applicants must have the right to work in the United States.