Principal Data Center Thermal Products Engineer (onsite)

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.

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What you will do

Johnson Controls' Data Center Product Architecture team is seeking a Principal Data Center Thermal Systems Engineer for the Advanced Technology & Innovation group. You will be a technical leader for thermal projects and teams within Data Center Thermal Solutions. You'll work independently to develop comprehensive thermal system solutions, coordinate multi-domain integration, and lead process improvement initiatives. You will be a recognized expert in one or more thermal domains with strong cross-domain knowledge essential for integrated system development. 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

• Plan and execute complex thermal projects and product releases; complete full thermal system designs

• Integrate subsystems into complete thermal solutions; coordinate across cooling loops, controls, and heat rejection

• Define specifications for complete thermal systems including multi-domain requirements (thermal, controls, electrical)

• Lead process improvement initiatives across thermal domains

• May lead a team of 2-5 engineers plus technicians on thermal system projects

• Present status and strategy information across departments; mentor Engineer II and Senior Engineers

What you will need

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

• 7 years experience with released thermal products or systems

• Chiller industry experience, or large industrial HVAC industry experience

• 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

• 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)

HIRING SALARY RANGE: $100,000 - $155,000 (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. If you believe your background warrants consideration beyond the stated range, we encourage you to apply. To support an efficient and fair hiring process, we may use technology assisted tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to help identify and evaluate candidates. All hiring decisions are ultimately made by human reviewers. For details, please visit the About Us tab on the Johnson Controls Careers site at is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected categories.