Principal Engineer, Data Center Thermal Management
UL Solutions
7 days ago
On-site
Northbrook, Illinois, United States
$155,000 - $175,000 USD yearly
Thermography (Thermal Imaging)
Description
Responsibilities
Qualifications
- Serves as Regional or Global SME for multiple technologies.
- Serves as representative on standards committees.
- Publishes articles related to technical expertise.
- Studies and understands test standards, testing technology, and regulations for scope of responsibility.
- Takes on role as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for standards, industry, and/or test capability.
- May represent UL at industry related functions such as seminars, trade shows or standards committees.
- Manages or develops new standard programs and capabilities for region or globally.
- Has detailed understanding of test techniques, procedures, and equipment.
- Performs complex test procedures when necessary.
- Provides training to staff when necessary.
- Follows up on contacts from clients and communicates technical issues, Test Standard explanations, certification requirements and UL procedures and requirements.
- Acts to address client concerns and resolve issues for a region or global office.
- Drives for consistency and enhanced quality in area of expertise.
- Within their region, or for the wider organization, operates and maintains test equipment appropriately to measure and test customer samples.
- Performs maintenance on designated test equipment and laboratory area.
- May perform calibration of test equipment.
- Integrates continuous improvement concepts and techniques into all aspects of the job for a region or global office.
- Manages and reviews related internal documents for accuracy.
- Develops special test methods and test equipment for new standards, test requirements, or improved efficiency, when needed.
- Likely to support the business externally through travelling to meetings at client sites, attendance at industry related events and other meetings.
- Read and follow the Underwriters Laboratories Code of Conduct and follow all physical and digital security practices.
- Performs other duties as directed.
Responsibilities
A. Boundary Architect (Regulatory & Standards)
- Hazard Protocols: Engineer safety evaluations for coolant leaks, dielectric fluid chemistry, and A2L/A3 refrigerant flammability.
- Commercial Vision: Convert thermal management trends and safety metrics into profitable commercial services.
B. Ecosystem Developer (OCP & Market Alignment)
- OCP Standardization: Embed UL safety philosophies into Cold Plate, Immersion, and Heat Reuse open specifications.
- Service Creation: Launch 'UL Verified' programs to validate cold plate dissipation and universal quick disconnect (UQD) interchangeability.
- Industry Influence: Drive technical consensus across competing vendors, hyperscalers, ASHRAE TC 9.9, and the Green Grid.
C. Sustainability & Regulatory Driver
- Heat Reuse Certification: Architect programs to rate waste heat quality for predictable utility grid monetization.
- Global Compliance: Align offerings with DOE, NRCan, EU EED, and Ecodesign frameworks ahead of regulatory enforcement.
Key Essential Tasks
- Performance Testing: Operationalize lab suites validating cold plate thermal resistance, pressure drop, and hydraulic impedance.
- Blind-Mate Interoperability: Establish mechanical regimes for Open Rack V3 (ORv3) manifolds to prevent binding and bypass.
- Dielectric Compatibility: Standardize chemical and electrical compatibility tests between immersion fluids and server components.
- Leak Detection Integration: Map unified Redfish API schemas to trigger automated isolation across CDUs and loops.
- Thought Leadership: Publish white papers on regulatory minefields like PFAS restrictions and global F-Gas phasedowns.
- Workforce Training: Build global laboratory capacity through standardized internal engineering curricula.
Qualifications
- Formal Educational Background: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal/Fluid Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Applied Physics from an accredited university program.
- Direct Professional Experience: A minimum of 12+ years of direct, progressive engineering experience in high-density data center cooling design, advanced HVACR product development, or comprehensive thermal management engineering within high-performance computing (HPC) or hyperscale cloud ecosystems.
- Track Record of Leadership: Demonstrated history of direct management or programmatic leadership of high-performing, cross-functional global teams of technical experts and laboratory specialists, with a clear adherence to formal corporate codes of conduct and comprehensive digital/physical security protocols.
What we offer:
- Total Rewards: We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. The estimated salary range for this position is $155,000-$175,000 and is based on multiple factors, including job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, as well as other factors. This position is eligible for annual bonus compensation with a target payout of 20% of the base salary. This position also provides health benefits such as medical, dental and vision; wellness benefits such as mental and financial health; and retirement savings (401K) commensurate with the standard rewards offered in each individual location or country. We also provide full-time employees with paid time off including vacation (15 days), holiday including floating holidays (12 days) and sick time off (72 hours).