Senior Staff Thermal Systems Engineer

jci; New Freedom (York County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnson Controls’ Data Center Product Architecture team seeks a Senior Staff Data Center Thermal Systems Engineer to lead long-range planning for thermal products. You will drive architecture, define integration standards, and mentor engineers across global teams, enabling modular, high-performance cooling solutions for data centers.

You will oversee cross-domain design efforts, supervise a technical team, and advocate for world-class thermal technologies within the company.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• 14+ years experience with multiple released thermal products/systems.
• Chiller or large industrial HVAC experience.
• System architect for data center thermal solutions.
• Expert across thermal, controls, electrical, and mechanical domains.
• Microsoft 365/Excel with macros/VBA.
• CAD proficiency in SolidWorks or Creo.
• Engineering calculations with MathCAD/EES.
• Heat transfer analysis (conduction, convection).
• Cross-domain knowledge across thermal, controls, electrical systems.
• Thermodynamic cycle analysis and fluid mechanics expertise.
• Prototype fabrication and hands-on testing.
• Cross-functional project execution.

Responsibilities

• Drive long-range planning for business unit thermal products and act as system architect.
• Define integration standards across product lines for modular thermal stack interoperability.
• Define and coordinate product family specifications and thermal design guidelines.
• Champion thermal initiatives across Data Center Solutions with enterprise influence.
• Supervise technical team and lead thermal system architecture efforts.
• Mentor Principal and Staff Engineers globally; represent organization in thermal initiatives.

Skills

Thermal design

System architect

Cross-domain knowledge

Data center design

Project leadership

Mentoring

CAD proficiency

Excel macros

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

SolidWorks

Creo

MathCAD

EES

ANSYS Fluent

Star-CCM+

OpenFOAM

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

Excel

Job description

What you will do

Johnson Controls’ Data Center Product Architecture team is seeking a Senior Staff Data Center Thermal Systems Engineer for the Advanced Technology & Innovation group. You will be a technical and business leader with business unit influence. You’ll drive long-range planning for business unit thermal products, champions thermal technology initiatives across Data Center Solutions, and defines integration standards ensuring modular thermal stack interoperability. You will be considered a system architect and recognized expert across thermal, controls, electrical, and mechanical domains with industry knowledge. This position is based onsite, minimum 3 days per week, at our Advanced Technology and Innovation Center located in New Freedom, PA. Candidates must be commuting distance to the facility or able to relocate.

How you will do it

• Drive long-range planning for business unit thermal products; serve as system architect and global resource for thermal design direction
• Define integration standards across product lines; ensure modular thermal stack interoperability
• Define and coordinate product family specifications; establish business unit thermal standards and design guidelines
• Champion thermal technology initiatives across Data Center Solutions; exhibit business unit influence
• Supervise technical team; lead thermal system architecture efforts
• Strategic communicator representing organization for company-wide thermal initiatives; mentor Principal and Staff Engineers globally

What you will need

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline
• 14+ years experience with multiple released thermal products/systems and recognized throughout division and/or industry
• Chiller industry experience, or large industrial HVAC industry experience
• System architect for data center thermal solutions
• Recognized expert across thermal, controls, electrical, and mechanical domains
• Expert in multiple technical domains (thermal, controls, electrical, mechanical)
• Microsoft 365/Excel (including basic macros/VBA for data analysis and reporting)
• CAD proficiency (SolidWorks, Creo, or equivalent)
• Engineering calculations and documentation (MathCAD, EES, or equivalent)
• Heat transfer analysis (conduction, convection, two-phase)
• Strong cross-domain knowledge across thermal, controls, electrical systems—generalists with 80% mastery across domains highly valued
• Thermodynamic cycle analysis
• Fluid mechanics and hydraulic system design
• Thermal system component sizing and selection
• Prototype fabrication and hands-on testing
• Cross-functional project execution

Preferred

• Master’s degree
• Software/Simulation experience
• Python scripting and environment management (package installation, virtual environments, basic automation)
• CFD (ANSYS Fluent, Star-CCM+, OpenFOAM, or equivalent)
• FEA (ANSYS Mechanical, Abaqus, or equivalent)
• MATLAB/Simulink for system modeling and controls
• Controls fundamentals (feedback loops, PID tuning, system response)
• Electrical systems basics (motor sizing, VFDs, power distribution)
• Refrigeration system design and refrigerant properties
• Data center cooling architectures (direct liquid cooling, rear-door heat exchangers, CDUs)
• Expert in one or more thermal domains (CDU, chiller, dry cooler, cold plate systems)

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. To view more information about your equal opportunity and non-discrimination rights as a candidate, visit EEO is the Law. If you are an individual with a disability and you require an accommodation during the application process, please visit here.