Principal Thermal Rack Engineer - Austin - JABIL CIRCUIT, INC

Description

**This position supports hybrid work schedule depending on organization needs.**

How will you make an impact?

We are looking for a Principal Thermal Rack Engineer within the Intelligent Infrastructure Segment to drive advanced cooling solutions for high-performance computing systems. This role involves incorporating thermal components such as direct liquid cooling (DLC) systems, coolant distribution units (CDUs), and manifolds into network and server racks (EIA 19" and ORv3). You will leverage CFD tools to perform rack and system-level thermal and fluid analysis, ensuring optimal flow distribution, pressure drop, and temperature performance. Additionally, you will create 3D CAD designs for seamless hardware integration, lead validation testing, and resolve thermal or flow issues through root cause analysis and corrective actions. Collaboration with cross-functional teams, customers, and global vendors is essential to align thermal architectures with overall system design and international standards.

What will you do?

• Lead the end-to-end integration and testing of rack thermal solutions, including liquid cooling systems in varying form factors and product lines.
• Use CFD tools (FloTherm or Macroflow) to perform switch, rack, and system-level thermal/fluid analysis (flow distribution, pressure drop, and temperature profiling).
• Design and optimize thermal components using 3D CAD (Creo or SolidWorks) to support seamless hardware integration and testing.
• Participate in customer engagements and site visits to understand and document deployment constraints and gather feedback for design improvements.
• Partner with factory teams to ensure racks are built with proper airflow, hose routing, and thermal safeguards, while establishing best practices that improve build consistency across deployments.
• Collaborate with Architects/Compliance/Reliability and global vendors to align thermal architectures with total system design and international data center/thermal/mechanical standards (e.g., UL, OCP, ASHRAE, ISTA, ASTM, NEBS).
• Conduct thermal, mechanical, and reliability testing, analyzing airflow, coolant flow rates, pressure drops, and structural integrity to ensure compliance with the end-users' specifications.
• Develop and maintain design documentation including BOMs, wetted materials compliance, test plans, and engineering change orders (ECOs).
• Manage relationships with mechanical/thermal component vendors to build out a robust partner ecosystem consisting of racks, CDUs, hoses, manifolds, QDs, and cold plates.
• Ensure mechanical designs support airflow management, thermal containment, and integration with cooling systems (e.g., in-row cooling, in-rack cooling, rear door heat exchangers).
• Conduct root cause analysis and corrective actions for mechanical and thermal failures or field issues.
• May perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

How will you get here?

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical/Thermal Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field is required

Experience:

• Minimum of 7+ years of experience in thermal/mechanical systems integration
• 3+ years of specific experience in rack-scale thermal design and analysis
• Strong understanding of mechanical systems, integration strategies, and large-scale program management
• Familiarity with server design, heatsinks, cold plates, hoses, and blind-mate connectors
• Proficiency in CFD simulation (e.g. ANSYS, 6Sigma, etc.) and 3D modeling software (e.g. SolidWorks, Creo)
• Hands-on experience with thermal chambers, fans, and coolant
• Excellent English communication skills (verbal and written) with strong technical leadership capabilities

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Creative, self-motivated, accountable, and team-oriented
• Able to work independently with minimal oversight
• Capable of assessing projects, articulating risks, and developing project milestones
• Skilled in writing reports, business correspondence, and procedural guides
• Effective at presenting information and responding to management and customers
• Capable of influencing others and sharing best practices
• Familiar with stage-gate processes in project lifecycle management (PLCM)
• Ability to travel both domestically and internationally up to 30%

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering or related field is preferred
• Experience designing mechanical systems for data centers, telecom, or industrial power/cooling products.
• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
• Hands-on experience with prototype fabrication and testing; experience working with global suppliers and contract manufacturers a plus.

About Jabil's Intelligent Infrastructure Group:

• Headquartered in Austin, TX, with a flagship facility located near The Domain and the Austin FC stadium
• Growing rapidly, with a team of more than 100 employees in Austin (500+ worldwide) and significant expansion planned through 2026
• Generated over $12 billion in FY25 revenue, driven largely by partnerships with major hyperscale customers
• Delivers cutting‑edge engineering, supply chain, and manufacturing solutions that power the world's AI infrastructure and global data center ecosystems

As part of the total rewards package, this position is eligible for:

• Annual bonus opportunity
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Paid time off (PTO)
• 4 weeks of paid parental leave
• 11 company-paid holidays (9 fixed holidays and 2 optional floating holidays), subject to change yearly
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Employee stock purchase plan