Senior Technical Program Manager, Data Center Thermal Solutions

Johnson Controls•New Freedom, PA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Johnson Controls' Data Center Solutions team is seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager for the Advanced Technology & Innovation group. This role is responsible for the execution of multiple concurrent thermal technology development programs across Data Center Thermal Solutions. Working directly with engineering leads across thermal, controls, electrical, and mechanical domains, the Senior TPM keeps programs on track, risks visible, and teams aligned. The role ties engineering strategy to tactical execution, making sure the right work is happening in the right order with the right resources. The right candidate is technically fluent, mission focused, and can keep the larger strategic picture in mind while driving plan execution. 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 within commuting distance to the facility or able to relocate.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal/Fluid Sciences, or closely related engineering discipline required; Master of Science preferred
Minimum 10 years combined experience in engineering and technical program management, with at least 5 years managing multi-project hardware development programs
Demonstrated experience managing programs involving physical product development (thermal systems, HVAC, industrial equipment, or comparable complex hardware)
Strong technical fluency in mechanical/thermal systems sufficient to assess engineering risks, evaluate trade-offs, and hold meaningful technical discussions with domain experts
Proven track record of driving programs from concept through production release, including stage-gate processes, design reviews, and manufacturing readiness assessments
Experience managing cross-functional engineering teams (thermal, mechanical, electrical, controls, test) without direct reporting authority
Proficiency with program management tools (MS Project, Smartsheet, Jira, or equivalent) and standard schedule/risk management methodologies
Technical fluency across thermal and mechanical engineering domains sufficient to drive engineering execution and risk management
Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to translate complex engineering status into clear executive-level reporting
Experience with hardware development lifecycle processes: requirements definition, design reviews, DFMEA/PFMEA, DVP&R, prototype builds, manufacturing transfer
Ability to manage ambiguity in a fast-moving technology development environment and drive clarity through structured program management
Collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence and align cross-functional engineering teams without positional authority

Nice To Haves

Software & Tools Data visualization and reporting tools (Power BI, Tableau, or equivalent)
Schedule analysis
Configuration management and change control tools
Technical Domain Knowledge Refrigeration system design, chiller architecture, or large-scale HVAC systems
Data center cooling architectures (direct liquid cooling, CDUs, rear-door heat exchangers, dry coolers)
Manufacturing processes for thermal/mechanical hardware (sheet metal, brazing, welding, CNC machining, casting)
Supply chain management for engineered-to-order or configured-to-order thermal products
Test and validation planning for thermal systems (performance testing, reliability testing, accelerated life testing)
Manufacturing engineering or production operations background with transition into program management
Experience in organizations scaling from prototype/pilot to volume production
New product introduction (NPI) leadership for complex electromechanical or thermal systems
Experience managing engineering programs with concurrent design, prototype build, and manufacturing readiness activities
Working in a matrixed organization where engineering, manufacturing, and business functions operate semi-independently
PMP, PgMP, or similar program management certification

Responsibilities

Own and maintain the integrated program plan across the Data Center Thermal Solutions engineering portfolio, including schedule dependencies, resource allocation, critical path tracking, and milestone gates
Drive engineering execution cadence: stand-ups, design reviews, stage-gate reviews, risk reviews, and program-level status reporting to engineering leadership
Identify and actively manage technical and schedule risks across programs; develop mitigation plans and escalate blockers with clear decision frameworks for engineering leadership
Coordinate cross-functional engineering execution across thermal, controls, electrical, and mechanical domains to ensure integration points are identified early and managed through delivery
Serve as the connective tissue between advanced development, product engineering, manufacturing engineering, and test/validation teams to ensure smooth program transitions
Develop and maintain program-level resource plans; work with engineering leads to resolve contention across concurrent programs and ensure critical-path activities are properly staffed
Establish and enforce engineering program management processes, templates, and standards appropriate for a hardware-focused development organization
Translate engineering strategy and technology roadmaps into executable program structures with clear scope, deliverables, and success criteria
Track and report program health metrics (schedule performance, technical risk burn-down, resource utilization, test/validation status) to engineering and business leadership
Facilitate technical trade-off discussions and ensure decisions are documented, communicated, and tracked through execution