What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal Mechanical Engineer position at Vacare Group, LLC?
JetCool
Principal Thermal Mechanical Engineer
Position Overview:
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer specializing in fluid/thermal systems to join our dynamic engineering team. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in the early phases of product development and serving in a guidance capacity through product maturation. Our products drive sustainability across the data center infrastructure by allowing higher coolant temperatures and by driving more complete heat capture for liquid cooling. The Principal Mechanical Engineer will provide technical leadership, mentorship, and hands-on expertise in mechanical design, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer but also work closely with customers in communicating the art of the possible with JetCool technology and building a strong customer relationship on a technical level.
Responsibilities
- Lead the architecture, design, analysis, and optimization of complex fluid and thermal systems—including pumps, fluids, tubing, heat exchangers, and associated components—for advanced computing and processing platforms.
- Own mechanical and fluid system deliverables from concept through production, ensuring designs meet performance, reliability, manufacturability, and compliance requirements.
- Serve as a technical partner to customers and external collaborators, supporting system-level integration of fluid solutions into broader product architectures.
- Drive simulation, analysis, and test efforts to validate fluid flow, pressure drop, thermal performance, and material compatibility across operating conditions.
- Develop, review, and approve engineering requirements, specifications, and technical documentation in accordance with applicable industry standards and regulatory expectations.
- Lead and influence design reviews, presenting technical tradeoffs, risks, and recommendations to cross-functional teams, customers, and senior stakeholders.
- Identify technical gaps and emerging challenges, advocate for targeted research and development, and lead exploratory efforts that build foundational knowledge and intellectual property.
- Establish and promote best practices in fluid system design, analysis, and documentation, contributing to a strong engineering culture and continuous improvement.
- Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to engineers across experience levels, supporting professional development and raising overall team capability.
- Contribute to new product innovation by evaluating emerging technologies, industry trends, and alternative architectures to drive differentiated fluid system solutions.
- Support the resolution of complex technical issues throughout the product lifecycle, including development, qualification, production, and field support as needed.
Qualifications
- Minimum of 10 years of experience designing and engineering fluid systems in data center thermal management and cooling, automotive, medical, or nuclear industries, including at least 3 years of direct experience with Coolant Distribution Units (CDUs).
- Deep expertise in fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer, with strong application of first-principles engineering.
- Proven track record of new product development in thermal or fluid systems, including concept development, performance analysis, validation testing, and experimental design.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and optimize complex fluid systems across development and production phases.
- Demonstrated technical leadership within a structured product development environment, with clear ownership of mechanical design deliverables from concept through release.
- Experience leading and mentoring development teams, driving technical direction, coordinating cross-functional efforts, and ensuring alignment to product requirements and schedules.
- Accountability for product-level mechanical execution, including leading design reviews, resolving technical risks, and ensuring designs meet performance, reliability, manufacturability, and compliance requirements.
- Strong communication and technical documentation skills, with the ability to clearly communicate complex concepts to technical teams and senior stakeholders.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in startup or fast-growth environments, with the ability to operate effectively amid ambiguity and evolving priorities.
- Proven expertise with fluid flow and thermal simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS, COMSOL) and advanced CAD platforms (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA).
- Demonstrated success bringing new products to market on accelerated development timelines.
- Strong working knowledge of material selection, corrosion resistance, and fluid compatibility considerations for engineered fluid systems.
- Experience working with applicable industry codes, standards, and regulatory requirements related to mechanical and fluid systems.
- Technical thought leadership demonstrated through publications, patents, or contributions to relevant industry conferences, technical forums, or standards bodies.
Join us in shaping the future of data centers while making a significant impact on sustainability. Apply now to be part of our dedicated team of engineers and thinkers.
JetCool Technologies is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
Salary : $150,000 - $170,000