Staff Data Center Thermal Systems Engineer

jci; 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 to lead thermal solutions for data center products. You will drive long-range planning, own thermal architecture, and define integration standards for platform compatibility.

Based onsite in New Freedom, PA, you will supervise a small team, mentor engineers, and collaborate across thermal, controls, electrical, and mechanical disciplines to deliver robust cooling solutions.

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).
• MS 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.

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

Mechanical Engineering

Thermal systems

Cross-domain knowledge

CAD

MS Excel/macros

Matlab/Simulink

Heat transfer analysis

Prototype testing

Project leadership

Thermal architecture

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

SolidWorks

Creo

MathCAD

EES

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.