Overview

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. Visit for more information and on social platforms. What you will do Johnson Controls is seeking a Principal Thermal Systems Engineer to help shape the future of data center cooling technology. As a key member of our Data Center Thermal Solutions team, you will take ownership of the complete product lifecycle for next-generation thermal systems, from early concept development and system architecture through certification, global production launch, and long-term product sustainment.In this highly visible role, you will collaborate with global cross-functional teams to transform customer needs and emerging technologies into innovative, certified, and manufacturable solutions. You will drive critical decisions that influence product performance, quality, cost, profitability, and market success while advancing cutting-edge thermal solutions for one of the world's fastest-growing industries.This position is based in New Freedom, PA, where onsite collaboration is essential to driving innovation and execution. Candidates should live within commuting distance or be open to relocation. Competitive relocation assistance packages are available. How you will do it Plan and execute complex thermal product development projects and product releases; own full thermal system designs from concept through production launches and manage engineering changes in SAP across global factoriesServe as the primary technical interface between research/advanced development teams and design engineering, translating research findings into actionable product development plansWork closely with the design and manufacturing teams in generating layout concepts and system configurations that consider the best balance of cost, performance, and reliabilityDefine specifications for complete thermal systems including multi-domain requirements (thermal, controls, electrical) and manufacturing constraintsOwn PDP deliverables (DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plans) and lead validation test programsLead process improvement initiatives across thermal product development domainsMay supervise a team of 2-5 engineers plus technicians on thermal system product development projectsResolve escalated production and field issues through root cause and corrective actionSecure and maintain agency approvals (UL, CE/PED, ASME, and regional standards)What you will need Required Minimum Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, or similar discipline CAD proficiency (SolidWorks, Creo, or equivalent)Engineering calculations and documentation (MathCAD, EES, or equivalent)4+ years of professional experience with heat transfer analysis (conduction, convection, two-phase), thermodynamic cycle analysis, fluid mechanics, hydraulic system design, and thermal system component sizing and selection4+ years of experience within the commercial HVAC industry; preferably chillers 4+ years experience with released thermal products or systems Preferred 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 controlsControls fundamentals (feedback loops, PID tuning, system response)Electrical systems basics (motor sizing, VFDs, power distributi