Data Center Cooling and Thermodynamics Engineer

ECL•Mt. View California, CA

1d•$150,000 - $200,000

About The Position

ECL has just changed the GAME with the introduction of the world’s first Hydrogen powered off grid green data center with 99.999 % uptime. There is massive demand for high-end Data Centers that can meet the demands that come with AI and Machine Learning requirements. What was only a futuristic idea that most thought was 10-20 years out is NOW a reality. Our end-to-end construction platform, modular architecture, is repeatable from 1-2MW’s meeting the needs of even larger data center sites. Imagine the opportunity at hand to build and deliver a Completely Green Power Generation System in this new era of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence disruptive technology advancements. How would you like to be on the ground floor of such a technological revolution. This is your chance to become part of something special as we are poised for hyper growth. ECL was founded by data center veterans from companies including Facebook, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Cisco, HPE and Bloom Energy. $150,000 - $200,000 a year Role Overview We are seeking a Senior Data Center Cooling & Thermodynamics Engineer to lead the thermal design, analysis, and optimization of our global data center fleet. In this role, you will bridge the gap between theoretical thermodynamics and practical mechanical design. You will be responsible for ensuring our cooling infrastructure—ranging from traditional air-cooled systems to cutting-edge liquid cooling solutions—operates at peak efficiency while supporting rapidly increasing rack densities.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field (Master’s or PhD preferred).
Experience: 7+ years of relevant experience in critical facilities, HVAC design, or electronic thermal management.
Technical Proficiency: Deep expertise in Heat Transfer, Thermodynamics, and Fluid Dynamics. Expert-level proficiency in CFD software (e.g., 6SigmaRoom/Future Facilities, Ansys Icepak, Flotherm, or Cadence Celsius ).
Experience with building management systems (BMS) and controls logic.
Knowledge: Strong understanding of psychrometrics, hydronics, and heat rejection equipment (Chillers, Cooling Towers, CDUs).

Nice To Haves

Experience designing Liquid Cooling systems (single-phase or two-phase) for hyperscale environments.
Proficiency in coding/scripting (Python, MATLAB) for data analysis and automating simulation workflows.
Professional Engineering (PE) license.
Experience interacting with hardware ODMs to optimize server thermal layouts.

Responsibilities

Thermal Strategy & Design: Lead the mechanical design and specification of cooling systems for new builds and retrofits, including Chilled Water (CHW), Direct Expansion (DX), Evaporative Cooling, and Economization modes. Develop thermal solutions for high-density computing environments (HPC/AI), specifically focusing on Direct-to-Chip (DLC) Define and own the thermal roadmap, ensuring alignment with ASHRAE TC 9.9 environmental guidelines.
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) & Modeling: Perform advanced CFD simulations to predict airflow patterns, pressure drops, and thermal gradients at the chip, server, rack, and room levels. Validate models against real-world operational data to refine accuracy and improve predictive capabilities.
Efficiency & Sustainability: Drive initiatives to lower PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) and WUE (Water Usage Effectiveness) without compromising uptime. Analyze psychrometric charts and local climate data to optimize economizer hours and water consumption in various global geographies. Collaborate with electrical engineers to balance power delivery with thermal rejection requirements.
Lifecycle & Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) during site selection, commissioning, and root cause analysis (RCA) for thermal incidents. Mentor junior engineers and collaborate with hardware architects to influence server chassis design for optimal airflow.