Staff Data Center Thermal Systems Engineer

Alloy Enterprises; New Freedom (York County); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnson Controls is seeking a Staff Data Center Thermal Systems Engineer for the Advanced Technology & Innovation group. This onsite role (minimum 3 days/week) is based in New Freedom, PA, with relocation possible for commuting distance.

You will lead as a system-level expert across thermal product families, driving long-range planning, architecture definition, and cross-domain integration while mentoring engineers and coordinating multi-discipline teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• 10+ years experience with multiple released thermal products/systems.
• Chiller industry experience, or large industrial HVAC industry experience.
• System-level expertise across thermal product families.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead long-range planning for thermal product families and systems; serve as thermal system architect.
• Own product family thermal architecture; define integration architecture ensuring platform compatibility.
• Define and coordinate specifications for product families; establish thermal performance standards.
• Influence improvements to thermal system development processes across the organization.
• Supervise technical team of 2-5 engineers plus technicians; lead multi-domain thermal integration efforts.
• Strategic communicator representing thermal organization in planning; mentor Senior and Principal Engineers.

Skills

Python scripting

Excel/macros/VBA

Cross-domain knowledge (thermal/auto/电

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

SolidWorks

Creo

MathCAD

EES

ANSYS Fluent

Star-CCM+

OpenFOAM

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

What you will do

Johnson Controls’ Data Center Product Architecture team is seeking a Staff Data Center Thermal Systems Engineer for the Advanced Technology & Innovation group. You will serve as the department or product line technical leader for data center thermal solutions. This role drives long-range planning for thermal product families and systems, owns product family thermal architecture, and defines integration architecture ensuring platform compatibility. You’ll be considered a system-level expert across thermal product families with acknowledged expertise in multiple technical disciplines. 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

• Lead long-range planning for thermal product families and systems; serve as thermal system architect
• Own product family thermal architecture; define integration architecture ensuring platform compatibility
• Define and coordinate specifications for product families; establish thermal performance standards
• Influence improvements to thermal system development processes across the organization
• Supervise technical team of 2-5 engineers plus technicians; lead multi-domain thermal integration efforts
• Strategic communicator representing thermal organization in planning; mentor Senior and Principal Engineers

What you will need

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline
• 10+ years experience with multiple released thermal products/systems
• Chiller industry experience, or large industrial HVAC industry experience
• System-level expertise across thermal product families
• 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.