Senior Modeling Engineer

1017 York International Corp.; Glendale (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation packages

Competitive benefits package

Bonus plan

Job summary

Johnson Controls in the United States seeks a Senior Thermal Modeling Engineer to develop and apply numerical models for end-to-end data center cooling performance. You will join the advanced development team to simulate, analyze, and guide design decisions across cooling loops, controls, and heat-rejection equipment.

Based in the Warren Johnson Engineering Lab, Glendale, WI with options for relocation and remote for the right candidate, the role calls for deep thermodynamics expertise, 10+

Qualifications

• Required Master’s or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 10+ years of industry experience with thermal products or systems.
• Strong theoretical foundation in thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics.
• Experience with HVAC system design, refrigerant cycles, and component selection.
• Proficiency with numerical simulation tools for building and thermal applications (e.g., Modelica, MATLAB/Simulink, EES, EnergyPlus).
• Demonstrated ability to execute cross-functional projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply numerical models to simulate end-to-end performance of data center cooling systems.
• Integrate subsystems into complete thermal solutions, coordinating across cooling loops, controls, and heat-rejection equipment.
• Use simulation tools to predict chip-to-ambient performance of data center cooling systems.
• Apply system-level performance models to provide technical guidance to customers.
• Present project status, technical findings, and strategic recommendations across departments.
• Deliver presentations and/or write white papers communicating JCI’s technical perspective on emerging technologies and system architectures.
• Actively participate in industry groups such as ASHRAE and the Open Compute Project.

Skills

Cross-functional project execution

Python scripting

Controls engineering basics

Electrical systems basics

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Master’s or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

Modelica

MATLAB/Simulink

EES

EnergyPlus

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

As a member of the modeling team, you will develop and apply numerical models to simulate the end-to-end performance of data center cooling systems. You will play a key role on cross-functional teams responsible for creating comprehensive thermal solutions for data center applications. Your primary focus will be simulating system performance and providing design and application guidance based on model results. As part of the advanced development team, you will also stay current on emerging technologies in the data center cooling space and evaluate innovations that may influence future product offerings. This position is based on-site at the Warren Johnson Engineering Lab in Glendale, WI, with a minimum requirement of three days per week on-site. Other locations that will be considered are New Freedom, PA, Boston, MA, or remote for the right person. Various relocation packages are available.

How You Will Do It

Develop numerical simulations of thermal components commonly used in data center applications.

Integrate subsystems into complete thermal solutions, coordinating across cooling loops, controls, and heat-rejection equipment.

Use simulation tools to predict chip-to-ambient performance of data center cooling systems.

Apply system-level performance models to provide technical guidance to customers.

Present project status, technical findings, and strategic recommendations across departments.

Deliver presentations and/or write white papers communicating JCI’s technical perspective on emerging technologies and system architectures.

Actively participate in industry groups such as ASHRAE and the Open Compute Project.

What You Will Need

• Required Master’s or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 10+ years of industry experience with thermal products or systems.
• Strong theoretical foundation in thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics.
• Experience with HVAC system design, refrigerant cycles, and component selection.
• Proficiency with numerical simulation tools for building and thermal applications (e.g., Modelica, MATLAB/Simulink, EES, EnergyPlus).
• Demonstrated ability to execute cross-functional projects.
• Preferred Python scripting and environment management (package installation, virtual environments, basic automation).
• Fundamentals of controls engineering (feedback loops, PID tuning, system response).
• Basic understanding of electrical systems (motor sizing, VFDs, power distribution).
• Experience with refrigeration system design and refrigerant properties.
• Familiarity with data center cooling architectures (direct liquid cooling, rear-door heat exchangers, CDUs).
• Expertise in one or more thermal domains (CDUs, chillers, dry coolers, cold‑plate systems).
• Broad cross-domain knowledge spanning thermal, controls, and electrical systems—generalists with strong multidomain capability.

SALARY RANGE: $120,000 - $170,000 (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.

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.