{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"fb713f860119e0c51d7a64b9","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/fb713f860119e0c51d7a64b9","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/fb713f860119e0c51d7a64b9","title":"Lead Engineer","description":"Position Summary\nWe are seeking a highly experienced Lead Engineer to lead the design, development, and optimization of Coolant Distribution Units (CDUs) for hyperscale data center environments. This role is central to enabling next-generation liquid cooling solutions for AI and high-density compute, with a strong emphasis on maximizing heat extraction capacity per unit footprint and volume.\n\nKey Responsibilities\n\nLead end-to-end design of CDU systems supporting hyperscale deployments, including primary/secondary loop architecture\n\nDefine system requirements aligned with hyperscalers priorities: maximum kW removed per CDU footprint, rack density scaling, and floor space efficiency\n\nDesign and integrate high-performance components: pumps, compact heat exchangers, manifolds, filtration systems, and controls\n\nOptimize CDU designs for maximum heat transfer per square foot (kW/ft²) and per unit volume (kW/m³)\n\nDrive innovation in advanced heat extraction technologies, including:\n\nTwo-phase cooling systems (boiling/evaporative heat transfer)\n\nRefrigerant-based direct expansion (DX) or pumped refrigerant loops\n\nTrans critical and subcritical CO₂ cooling systems\n\nHybrid liquid–refrigerant architectures for ultra-high heat flux applications\n\nEvaluate and implement phase-change cooling strategies to significantly increase heat transfer coefficients and reduce system footprint\n\nLead feasibility studies comparing water vs. dielectric fluids vs. refrigerants vs. CO₂ for performance, safety, cost, and scalability\n\nAddress system challenges including pressure management, leak mitigation, safety compliance, and material compatibility for refrigerant/CO₂ systems\n\nConduct advanced thermal and fluid modeling (including two-phase flow and phase-change dynamics)\n\nOptimize system-level tradeoffs between heat extraction capability, energy efficiency, and mechanical complexity\n\nDevelop CDU concepts capable of supporting 100–300+ kW per rack and future scaling beyond\n\nEnsure compliance with evolving environmental and regulatory considerations (low-GWP refrigerants, sustainability goals)\n\nCollaborate with hyperscale customers and partners to align next-generation CDU architectures with future infrastructure roadmap\n\nLead prototyping and validation of novel cooling architectures, including lab-scale and full-scale demonstrations\n\nRequired Qualifications\n\nBachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Thermal, or Chemical Engineering (or related field)\n\n10+ years of experience in thermal-fluid systems, including liquid and/or refrigerant-based cooling\n\nDemonstrated experience with two-phase heat transfer, refrigeration cycles, or advanced cooling technologies\n\nExperience designing for high heat flux and space-constrained environments\n\nProven ability to innovate and bring new thermal management concepts from idea to prototype\n\nProficiency with CAD and advanced simulation tools (CFD, two-phase modeling where applicable)\n\nPreferred Qualifications\n\nExperience with refrigerants (e.g., HFOs, HFCs) and CO₂ (R-744) cooling systems in industrial or data center applications\n\nFamiliarity with ASHRAE standards (including refrigerant safety classifications) and Open Compute Project liquid cooling initiatives\n\nKnowledge of direct-to-chip, immersion cooling, and hybrid cooling architectures\n\nExperience addressing regulatory, safety, and environmental constraints (pressure systems, refrigerant handling, low-GWP requirements)\n\nBackground in system controls for managing dynamic thermal loads and phase-change systems\n\nExperience working with hyperscalers or next-gen data center infrastructure providers\n\nKey Competencies\n\nInnovation in next-generation thermal management technologies\n\nSystems-level thinking across mechanical, thermal, and refrigeration domains\n\nStrong analytical capability in multi-phase heat transfer and system optimization\n\nAbility to evaluate emerging technologies and translate them into scalable products\n\nLeadership in cross-functional, R&D-driven engineering teams\n\nSuccess Metrics\n\nHeat extraction density (kW per CDU footprint and volume)\n\nDemonstrated advancement of next-generation cooling concepts (refrigerant/CO₂ adoption, prototypes, patents)\n\nMaximum supported rack density (kW/rack), including next-gen AI workloads\n\nThermal efficiency and system COP improvements\n\nReduction in total cost of ownership (TCO) at hyperscale\n\nReliability and safety performance of advanced cooling systems\n\nWhy Join Us\n\nLead innovation at the frontier of data center cooling evolution beyond water-based systems\n\nWork on breakthrough technologies enabling future AI infrastructure\n\nInfluence industry direction toward higher efficiency and sustainable cooling solutions\n\nCollaborate with leading hyperscalers and technology innovators\n\n#J-18808-Ljbffr","company":"Opticool Technologies","rawCompany":"opticool technologies","city":"Webster","state":"NY","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-06-17T03:31:37.320Z","occupations":[{"code":"17-2141.00","title":"Mechanical Engineers","slug":"mechanical-engineers"},{"code":"17-2199.00","title":"Engineers, All Other","slug":"engineers-all-other"},{"code":"49-9021.00","title":"Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers","slug":"heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers"}],"industries":[{"code":"333415","title":"Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing","slug":"air-conditioning-and-warm-air-heating-equipment-and-commercial-and-industrial-refrigeration-equipment-manufacturing"},{"code":"541330","title":"Engineering Services","slug":"engineering-services"},{"code":"221330","title":"Steam and Air-Conditioning Supply","slug":"steam-and-air-conditioning-supply"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Lead Engineer","description":"Position Summary\nWe are seeking a highly experienced Lead Engineer to lead the design, development, and optimization of Coolant Distribution Units (CDUs) for hyperscale data center environments. This role is central to enabling next-generation liquid cooling solutions for AI and high-density compute, with a strong emphasis on maximizing heat extraction capacity per unit footprint and volume.\n\nKey Responsibilities\n\nLead end-to-end design of CDU systems supporting hyperscale deployments, including primary/secondary loop architecture\n\nDefine system requirements aligned with hyperscalers priorities: maximum kW removed per CDU footprint, rack density scaling, and floor space efficiency\n\nDesign and integrate high-performance components: pumps, compact heat exchangers, manifolds, filtration systems, and controls\n\nOptimize CDU designs for maximum heat transfer per square foot (kW/ft²) and per unit volume (kW/m³)\n\nDrive innovation in advanced heat extraction technologies, including:\n\nTwo-phase cooling systems (boiling/evaporative heat transfer)\n\nRefrigerant-based direct expansion (DX) or pumped refrigerant loops\n\nTrans critical and subcritical CO₂ cooling systems\n\nHybrid liquid–refrigerant architectures for ultra-high heat flux applications\n\nEvaluate and implement phase-change cooling strategies to significantly increase heat transfer coefficients and reduce system footprint\n\nLead feasibility studies comparing water vs. dielectric fluids vs. refrigerants vs. CO₂ for performance, safety, cost, and scalability\n\nAddress system challenges including pressure management, leak mitigation, safety compliance, and material compatibility for refrigerant/CO₂ systems\n\nConduct advanced thermal and fluid modeling (including two-phase flow and phase-change dynamics)\n\nOptimize system-level tradeoffs between heat extraction capability, energy efficiency, and mechanical complexity\n\nDevelop CDU concepts capable of supporting 100–300+ kW per rack and future scaling beyond\n\nEnsure compliance with evolving environmental and regulatory considerations (low-GWP refrigerants, sustainability goals)\n\nCollaborate with hyperscale customers and partners to align next-generation CDU architectures with future infrastructure roadmap\n\nLead prototyping and validation of novel cooling architectures, including lab-scale and full-scale demonstrations\n\nRequired Qualifications\n\nBachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Thermal, or Chemical Engineering (or related field)\n\n10+ years of experience in thermal-fluid systems, including liquid and/or refrigerant-based cooling\n\nDemonstrated experience with two-phase heat transfer, refrigeration cycles, or advanced cooling technologies\n\nExperience designing for high heat flux and space-constrained environments\n\nProven ability to innovate and bring new thermal management concepts from idea to prototype\n\nProficiency with CAD and advanced simulation tools (CFD, two-phase modeling where applicable)\n\nPreferred Qualifications\n\nExperience with refrigerants (e.g., HFOs, HFCs) and CO₂ (R-744) cooling systems in industrial or data center applications\n\nFamiliarity with ASHRAE standards (including refrigerant safety classifications) and Open Compute Project liquid cooling initiatives\n\nKnowledge of direct-to-chip, immersion cooling, and hybrid cooling architectures\n\nExperience addressing regulatory, safety, and environmental constraints (pressure systems, refrigerant handling, low-GWP requirements)\n\nBackground in system controls for managing dynamic thermal loads and phase-change systems\n\nExperience working with hyperscalers or next-gen data center infrastructure providers\n\nKey Competencies\n\nInnovation in next-generation thermal management technologies\n\nSystems-level thinking across mechanical, thermal, and refrigeration domains\n\nStrong analytical capability in multi-phase heat transfer and system optimization\n\nAbility to evaluate emerging technologies and translate them into scalable products\n\nLeadership in cross-functional, R&D-driven engineering teams\n\nSuccess Metrics\n\nHeat extraction density (kW per CDU footprint and volume)\n\nDemonstrated advancement of next-generation cooling concepts (refrigerant/CO₂ adoption, prototypes, patents)\n\nMaximum supported rack density (kW/rack), including next-gen AI workloads\n\nThermal efficiency and system COP improvements\n\nReduction in total cost of ownership (TCO) at hyperscale\n\nReliability and safety performance of advanced cooling systems\n\nWhy Join Us\n\nLead innovation at the frontier of data center cooling evolution beyond water-based systems\n\nWork on breakthrough technologies enabling future AI infrastructure\n\nInfluence industry direction toward higher efficiency and sustainable cooling solutions\n\nCollaborate with leading hyperscalers and technology innovators\n\n#J-18808-Ljbffr","datePosted":"2026-06-17T03:31:37.320Z","dateModified":"2026-06-17T03:31:37.320Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Opticool Technologies","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Webster","addressRegion":"NY","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"fb713f860119e0c51d7a64b9"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/fb713f860119e0c51d7a64b9"}}