Senior Director of Engineering - Data Center Thermal Solutions

As a global leader in oil-free centrifugal chiller technology with an expanding portfolio of thermal management solutions, Smardt is dedicated to delivering high-efficiency and energy-saving systems for mission-critical environments worldwide, from AI and hyperscale data centers to health care, industrial and commercial facilities. We operate manufacturing facilities in the US, Canada, Germany, China, and Australia, with a team of over 1200 employees. With a focus on reliability, performance, and environmental stewardship, Smardt continues to redefine industry standards through advanced engineering and a commitment to a more sustainable future. What We're Looking For: You will build and lead Smardt’s data center thermal solutions capability, defining the technology strategy, engineering organization, product roadmap and strategic partnerships required to serve hyperscale, colocation and high-density AI infrastructure customers. You will lead the development and integration of comprehensive data center cooling solutions, including liquid cooling, CRAC, CRAH, fan walls, modular solutions, thermal management and controls, complementing Smardt’s established chiller and heat rejection portfolio. You will engage directly with customers and industry partners to anticipate emerging technology requirements, identify market opportunities and translate these into differentiated, scalable and commercially viable solutions. Lead product and technology development from concept through validation, industrialization and commercialization, determining where Smardt should develop proprietary capabilities versus leverage strategic partnerships. What You'll Do: Data Center Thermal Solutions Strategy and Capability Building - Establish Smardt's data center thermal solutions engineering capability, including liquid cooling, precision air cooling, CRAC, CRAH, fan walls and integrated controls, defining the operating model, technical standards, product roadmap and investment priorities. - Define the strategic product portfolio and technology roadmap for data center whitespace cooling solutions, identifying opportunities to leverage Smardt's existing chiller and heat rejection capabilities while developing or partnering for complementary technologies. - Develop IP’s to solve challenging customer problems and differentiate vs competition - • Recruit, mentor and lead multidisciplinary thermal, mechanical, fluid systems, controls and product engineers; establish clear technical ownership and design governance. - Advise executive, R&D, product and commercial leaders on market opportunities, technical risks and capability-building priorities. Liquid Cooling /Thermal Solutions Architecture and Product Innovation - Lead the engineering architecture and development of integrated data center thermal management solutions, including liquid cooling, CRAC, CRAH, fan walls, precision air cooling and associated controls. - Direct the development and integration of advanced liquid cooling technologies, including direct-to-chip cooling, coolant distribution units (CDUs), secondary loops, heat exchangers, pumping and fluid management systems. - Ensure effective integration between white-space cooling technologies and facility-side infrastructure, including chilled-water systems, chillers, heat rejection and controls, with consideration for performance, efficiency, reliability, redundancy and serviceability. - Translate hyperscale, colocation and high-density AI/HPC customer requirements into differentiated, scalable and commercially viable thermal management solutions. - Evaluate emerging technologies, define build-versus-partner strategies and establish technical integration requirements with OEMs, specialist suppliers and technology partners. - Adapt products available in the group companies to the markets Smardt operate in to meet the certifications and customer requirements to drive speed to market Engineering Execution and Commercialization - • Own the engineering lifecycle from concept, modeling and design through prototyping, performance and reliability testing, verification, qualification and launch. - Partner with manufacturing, quality, supply chain and service teams to ensure manufacturability, maintainability, safety, cost effectiveness and deployment readiness. -  Establish design reviews, test protocols, technical risk registers and root-cause/corrective-action processes. - Establish scalable engineering and product development processes to support the transition from initial technology development to repeatable, commercially viable product platforms and global deployment. Customer and Ecosystem Leadership - Serve as a senior technical counterpart to hyperscalers, colocation operators, consulting engineers, OEMs and strategic technology partners. - Support customer solution architecture, technical proposals, specifications, pilot programs, factory/site acceptance and commissioning handoffs. - Engage directly with hyperscale and colocation customers to anticipate evolving cooling requirements, emerging technologies and market opportunities, translating customer insights into Smardt's product and technology roadmap. - Represent Smardt in relevant industry forums, technical working groups and strategic partnerships, strengthening the company's position in next-generation data center thermal management. What You'll Bring: - 10–15+ years of progressive mechanical, thermal, HVAC/R or fluid systems engineering experience, including substantial exposure to data center cooling applications. - Demonstrated experience developing, integrating or commercializing mission-critical thermal management solutions, including precision air cooling, liquid cooling, CRAC, CRAH, fan walls or related technologies. - Strong understanding of data center cooling architectures, including the integration of white-space thermal management solutions with facility-side chilled-water and heat rejection infrastructure. - Proven track record building engineering capability, leading multidisciplinary teams and delivering complex technology or product development programs from concept to commercialization. - Director-level engineering leadership experience, or a high-performing Senior Engineering Manager with demonstrated capability to establish and lead a new function. Technical Skills: - Experience developing or integrating data center thermal management technologies, including direct-to-chip liquid cooling, CDUs, CRAC, CRAH, fan walls, precision air cooling and chilled-water systems. - Understanding of high-density AI/HPC thermal requirements, airflow management, redundancy, efficiency and reliability in mission-critical environments. - Experience establishing engineering teams, defining technology roadmaps, evaluating build-versus-partner strategies, qualifying suppliers and commercializing new products. - Direct technical engagement with hyperscalers, colocation operators, data center OEMs, consulting engineers or specialist cooling technology providers. Core Competencies: - Deep knowledge of heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, hydronic systems, airflow management and data center thermal management architectures. - Ability to evaluate and integrate liquid cooling, CRAC/CRAH, fan wall, precision air cooling, heat exchanger, pumping, controls and facility chilled-water solutions. - Ability to evaluate CDU sizing, flow/pressure budgets, heat exchanger performance, redundancy and system controls. - Proficiency interpreting engineering drawings, P&IDs, specifications and performance data; CAD/CFD and modeling experience beneficial. - Strong technical judgment, stakeholder influence, project execution, supplier collaboration and people leadership. - Clear communication with both technical teams and senior customer stakeholders Education/Certifications: - Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Thermal Engineering or closely related discipline; advanced degree preferred. What We Offer:  - Competitive compensation. - Health and Dental Benefits from day one. - 401K/RRSP matching program. - A collaborative global environment with opportunities for growth. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Smardt is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.   As part of our hiring process, Smardt conducts background checks in compliance with applicable laws. Please note that Smardt does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Services Agreement with agency/recruiter, we will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee.