Sr. Director, Cooling & Chiller Systems

ESP Enterprises; Plano (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

ESP Enterprises seeks a Senior Director of Cooling & Chiller Systems to lead strategy, design, and development of advanced cooling solutions for data centers across North America. You will drive Centrifugal Chillers, MCP, and CDU programs, align with global standards, and collaborate with regional teams to ensure scalable, reliable solutions.

This leadership role requires extensive experience in large-scale cooling systems, NA certifications, and cross-functional team guidance to deliver

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 17+ years in HVAC/cooling systems or related industrial engineering fields.
• 7+ years in senior leadership roles.
• Experience with North American certification processes (UL/ETL) for HVAC/industrial equipment.
• Experience with data center cooling systems and modular cooling plants.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the cooling systems product strategy including centrifugal chillers, MCP, and CDU solutions.
• Lead scalable, high-efficiency cooling architectures for data center applications (air and liquid cooling).
• Oversee system design, integration, validation, and product release across mechanical, thermal, electrical, and controls domains.
• Ensure compliance with NA regulatory requirements and drive product localization.
• Build and scale the North America cooling systems engineering organization.

Skills

Leadership

Executive communication

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional leadership

Team building

Education

B.S./B.A. in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD

Simulation tools

Microsoft Office

PLM systems

Job description

The Senior Director of Cooling & Chiller Systems leads the strategy, design, and development of advanced cooling solutions for data center and energy management applications across North America. This role is accountable for the engineering development of Centrifugal Chillers, Modular Chiller Plants (MCP), and Coolant Distribution Units (CDU), ensuring performance, scalability, reliability, and compliance with North American standards and certifications. The role also leads key initiatives including product localization and certification, integrated MCP solution development, and advancement of liquid cooling technologies. This leader establishes engineering capabilities, system architectures, and product platforms aligned with global engineering standards while addressing regional market requirements. Reporting to the General Manager, this position works closely with global engineering teams, regional partners, suppliers, and cross functional stakeholders in engineering, program management, supply chain, manufacturing, and service to deliver high performance, market ready cooling solutions that support the organization’s strategic business growth in North America. This position collaborates with global stakeholders across Asia and the U.S. to align priorities, enable effective execution, and support the company’s long term business objectives.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Cooling Systems Strategy & Product Development

• Define and execute the cooling systems product strategy, including Centrifugal Chillers, MCP, and CDU solutions.
• Lead development of scalable, high efficiency cooling architectures for data center applications, including both air and liquid cooling domains.
• Drive technical roadmap for next generation cooling systems aligned with market trends and customer requirements.

Engineering Leadership, System Design & Integration

• Oversee system level design, integration, and optimization of Centrifugal Chiller Systems, MCP platforms, and CDU units.
• Ensure robust engineering processes across concept design, detailed design, validation, and product release.
• Establish design standards, engineering methodologies, and best practices aligned with global engineering frameworks.
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams across mechanical, thermal, electrical, and controls domains.

Compliance, Localization & Commercialization

• Lead efforts to ensure compliance of Centrifugal Chillers and cooling systems with North American regulatory and certification requirements, including UL and other applicable regulations.
• Drive localization of products to meet regional codes, standards, and customer specifications.
• Manage technical engagement with certification agencies and regulatory bodies.
• Lead development of Modular Chiller Plant (MCP) systems integrating Centrifugal Chillers, controls, piping, and auxiliary systems into modular solutions.
• Drive system integration including electrical, mechanical, and control interfaces for modular deployment.
• Collaborate with partners and suppliers to develop manufacturable, scalable MCP solutions.
• Lead development and commercialization of CDU systems for liquid cooled data center environments.
• Oversee integration of CDU with IT and facility systems, ensuring performance and reliability.
• Drive innovation in liquid cooling technologies, including system optimization and control strategies.

Organization, Program & Stakeholder Leadership

• Oversee execution of development programs from requirements definition through design, prototyping, testing, certification, and commercialization.
• Ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within scope, and aligned with business objectives.
• Integrate engineering deliverables with program management and commercial milestones.
• Establish and scale the cooling systems engineering organization in North America.
• Define roles, responsibilities, reporting structures, and talent development strategies.
• Build technical capabilities and ensure effective knowledge transfer between global engineering teams and North America.
• Collaborate with program management, supply chain, manufacturing, quality, and service teams to ensure end to end solution delivery.
• Provide executive level reporting on engineering progress, risks, and mitigation plans.
• Partner with global stakeholders to align technical direction and priorities.

Continuous Improvement & Other Duties

• Drive continuous improvement in engineering processes, product performance, and cost competitiveness.
• Identify and mitigate technical and program risks.
• Lead lessons learned and feedback loops into future product development.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Education Requirement: B.A. or B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Engineering, or related engineering field.
• Experience: Minimum of seventeen (17) years of experience in HVAC, cooling systems, thermal systems, or related industrial engineering fields, with at least seven (7) years in senior leadership roles.
• Extensive experience in design and development of large scale cooling systems, including thermal systems for mission critical applications.
• Experience with North American certification processes (UL, ETL, NRTL) for HVAC or industrial equipment.
• Experience in data center cooling systems, including modular cooling plants or large centrifugal chillers.
• Strong knowledge of North American codes, standards, and regulatory frameworks applicable to HVAC and industrial cooling systems.
• Proven experience leading complex system development programs from concept through commercialization.
• Demonstrated ability to build and lead engineering organizations and manage cross functional teams.
• Strong technical expertise in system integration, thermodynamics, and cooling system design.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, including executive level engagement.
• Experience working with global teams and cross regional collaboration.
• Proficiency with engineering and business tools including CAD, simulation tools, Microsoft Office, and PLM systems.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with liquid cooling technologies and CDU systems.
• Experience in global organizations and cross cultural collaboration, with Asia to U.S. experience preferred.
• Familiarity with digital engineering tools, simulation, and optimization platforms.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Travel: 25 to 40% domestic and occasional international.
• Standard Monday through Friday work week. Additional hours as required based on business needs.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and communicate. Occasional visits to manufacturing sites, suppliers, and customer project locations.