Data Center Materials Engineer

NVIDIA•Us, CA

53d

About The Position

The AI Factory era of computing is built on the strength and reliability of NVIDIA’s data centers! As we scale to gigawatt-level AI Factories, materials selection and qualification across the entire cooling and infrastructure stack become critical to achieving safety, reliability, and sustainability at scale. We are seeking a Data Center Materials Engineer to define and lead materials strategy, specification, testing, and qualification for wetted systems and adjacent infrastructure, from chip-level to campus-scale heat-rejection plants, ensuring long-life, low-risk operation across air and liquid (single - and two-phase) environments, and crafting the materials foundation that powers the future of AI computing. You will define the materials backbone of NVIDIA’s GW-scale AI Factories, enabling unmatched reliability, cleanliness, and longevity for the world’s most sophisticated cooling infrastructures. Your expertise will shape how metals, coatings, and fluids come together to achieve corrosion- and erosion-resistant designs, set industry standards, and power AI infrastructure at global scale.

Requirements

BS/MS (or equivalent experience) in Materials Science/Engineering, Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, or related field; PhD a plus
12+ years in materials for mission-critical infrastructure (data centers, power, process, aerospace, or semiconductor fabs) with emphasis on wetted systems.
Hands-on expertise in corrosion science, fluid–material compatibility, and elastomer/polymer selection for mixed-metal hydronic and refrigeration systems.
Proven experience crafting material and cleanliness specifications, test plans, and supplier qualification packages; strong command of ASTM/ISO test methods.
Ability to analyze and mitigate galvanic corrosion between dissimilar materials, with knowledge of coatings, isolation methods, and material pair optimization.
Experience defining fluid flow and erosion limits to maintain material integrity and long-term reliability.
Proficiency with materials characterization and FA (SEM/EDS, XRD, XPS, ICP-OES/MS, FTIR/GC-MS) and interpretation into actionable design rules.
Ability to translate lab results into field-relevant life models and operating guard-bands (chemistry, temperature, velocity, ΔP, vibration).
Clear, concise technical communication; effective collaboration with design, manufacturing, and vendor teams.

Nice To Haves

Experience with AI/HPC and data center cooling systems (CRAHs, CDUs, HXs, manifolds, plants, towers, dry coolers) and knowledge of two-phase fluids, refrigerants, and seal/oil compatibility.
Knowledge of MEP codes, ASME/PED standards, welding/brazing, NDE, and water-treatment programs for reliable, long-life operation.
Experience linking materials data to digital twins and CFD/hydronic models, collaborating with suppliers and standards bodies (ASHRAE, ASME, OCP, ASTM).
Demonstrated engagement with standards bodies (ASHRAE TC9.9, ASME, OCP, ASTM) and contribution to new test or specification development.
Track record driving multi-supplier alignment, cost-reliability tradeoffs, and sustainability targets (heat reuse, low-toxicity chemistries)

Responsibilities

Specify and qualify wetted metals & alloys (e.g., Cu/CuNi, Ni-braze, 316L/2205 SS, Ti, Al), polymers and composites (PPSU, PEEK, PVDF, PTFE), elastomers (EPDM, FKM/FFKM, NBR, HNBR), solders/brazes, sealants/adhesives, coatings/linings, and surface treatments (passivation, phosphating, anodizing).
Define fluid compatibility envelopes for single-phase glycols/water and two-phase working fluids/refrigerants, including oils/additives/biocides/inhibitors; write cleanliness, chemistry, and monitoring specs (e.g., pH, conductivity, chlorides, hardness, TOC, particle count).
Architect corrosion and erosion control programs, including mitigation of galvanic couples between Al–Cu and other dissimilar metals, crevice and under-deposit corrosion, MIC, and slurry erosion; establish flow velocity and operational limits to prevent erosive wear in all fluid systems.
Lead test and qualification plans: coupon and assembly-level testing (ASTM/ISO/G-series), electrochemical methods (EIS, potentiodynamic), elastomer swell/durometer retention, pressure/thermal cycling, HALT/HASS, cleanliness verification (ISO 4406/MIL-STD-1246C), life modeling & acceleration factors.
Run failure analyses and close the loop with design and suppliers: root-cause via SEM/EDS, XRD, XPS, FTIR, GC-MS, ICP-OES/MS, ion chromatography; drive corrective actions (8D/FRACAS) and update specifications.
Write and enforce material and process specifications for partners (AEC/MEP, OEMs, CMs, vendors); review P&IDs, BoMs, weld maps, braze/filler selections, flange/gasket stacks, passivation & flushing procedures, preservation & layup plans.
Integrate materials intelligence into digital twins: provide temperature-/chemistry-dependent property libraries and degradation models for SimReady assets (used in hydronic/thermal/CFD and reliability simulations).
Engage with industry standards bodies such as ASHRAE, ASME, and the Open Compute Project (OCP) to advance industry standards, testing methodologies, and materials best practices for liquid-cooled data centers.
Ensure regulatory and sustainability alignment: guide compliance for RoHS/REACH/TSCA, potable/non-potable water use, refrigerant transitions, PFAS minimization strategies, and end-of-life considerations.
Partner across NVIDIA (DCE, product cooling, reliability, controls) and with external vendors to ensure designs are manufacturable, serviceable, and scalable at GW scope.