Sr Principal Thermal Engineer

Responsibilities:

• Establish and define organization-wide thermal architectures, design methodologies, specifications, and validation practices for liquid-cooled hardware across multiple platforms and organizations; contribute to long-range technology roadmaps.
• Serve as the go-to technical leader for direct liquid cooling, including cold plates, manifolds, quick disconnects, hoses and piping, pumps, heat exchangers, coolant distribution units, facility-water interfaces, immersion systems, hybrid cooling, and emerging two-phase solutions.
• Lead system-level thermal architecture, analysis, and design from concept and feasibility through qualification, NPI, manufacturing ramp, and sustaining engineering for high-power ASICs, optics, power components, and densely packed electronic modules.
• Perform and direct thermal-fluid CFD modeling using FloTHERM, FloEFD, Macroflow, or equivalent tools; correlate models with test data and translate results into clear design decisions and margin improvements.
• Define fluid, thermal, mechanical, reliability, serviceability, manufacturability, safety, and regulatory requirements, including flow and pressure budgets, pressure drop, temperature uniformity, material and coolant compatibility, corrosion control, leak prevention and detection, contamination control, and failure-response strategies.
• Develop and oversee validation plans and empirical testing for component, subsystem, chassis, rack, and facility interfaces; guide engineers and technicians in instrumentation, test execution, data analysis, and root-cause investigations.
• Review designs and project activities for compliance with technology, quality, reliability, and development standards; drive valuable recommendations and innovations into platform architectures.
• Evaluate and select technologies, suppliers, outsourced development partners, and manufacturing processes; oversee technical deliverables and resolve complex cross-organizational issues.
• Partner with mechanical, electrical, PCB, silicon, optics, firmware, systems, reliability, manufacturing, operations, service, sourcing, and data-center infrastructure teams to optimize total system performance and lifecycle cost.
• Develop schedules, critical deliverables, resource plans, risk assessments, and support requirements for major programs; communicate progress, trade-offs, escalations, and issue analysis to senior and executive stakeholders.
• Influence business leadership, customers, partners, suppliers, and industry standards groups through recognized domain expertise, business acumen, and clear technical communication.
• Drive invention, intellectual property, reusable design practices, and knowledge sharing; mentor less-experienced engineers and actively contribute to the HPE technical community.

Education and Experience Required:

Knowledge and Skills:

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Sciences, or a closely related engineering discipline; an advanced degree is preferred.
• Typically 15+ years of relevant engineering experience for the Senior Principal level, with extensive hands-on experience leading electronics thermal design and liquid-cooling development for complex products.
• Demonstrated technical impact on significant products, programs, or strategic architecture, including successful delivery across multiple NPI cycles.
• Deep expertise in single-phase liquid cooling and strong knowledge of immersion, dielectric fluids, refrigerant-based or two-phase technologies, and air-liquid hybrid architectures.
• Expert understanding of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, thermal resistance, boiling and dry-out limits, flow distribution, pressure drop, pump and heat-exchanger performance, and system controls.
• Strong knowledge of cold-plate and manifold design, materials, joining and sealing methods, leak and proof-pressure testing, cleanliness, corrosion, coolant chemistry, reliability, and field service considerations.
• Advanced capability with CFD and thermal-network tools and proficiency with CAD tools such as SolidWorks or equivalent; able to define modeling, calibration, correlation, and validation methods used across an organization.
• Experience designing for cost, manufacturability, reliability, safety, serviceability, energy efficiency, and sustainability.
• Strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills, sound engineering judgment, and the ability to make decisions with incomplete or conflicting data.
• Demonstrated business acumen and program leadership, including prioritization, risk management, resource planning, supplier engagement, and negotiation.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to explain nuanced concepts and influence audiences from working teams to business-unit and executive leadership.
• Evidence of innovation through patents, publications, standards contributions, or deployment of differentiated cooling technologies is highly desirable.
• Accessibility
• HPE is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities. If you believe you require accommodation during any stage of the application or interview process, please submit your request by completing our secure form linked here.
• Note: This option is reserved for applicants needing assistance/reasonable accommodation related to a disability.
• Health & Wellbeing
• We strive to provide our team members and their loved ones with a comprehensive suite of benefits that supports their physical, financial and emotional wellbeing.
• Personal & Professional Development
• We also invest in your career because the better you are, the better we all are. We have specific programs catered to helping you reach any career goals you have — whether you want to become a knowledge expert in your field or apply your skills to another division.
• Unconditional Inclusion
• We are unconditionally inclusive in the way we work and celebrate individual uniqueness. We know varied backgrounds are valued and succeed here. We have the flexibility to manage our work and personal needs. We make bold moves, together, and are a force for good.
• Follow @HPECareers on Instagram to see the latest on people, culture and tech at HPE.
• Information about employee benefits offered in the US can be found at https://myhperewards.com/main/new-hire-enrollment.html
• HPE is an Equal Employment Opportunity/ Veterans/Disabled/LGBT employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, or any other protected category, and all decisions we make are made on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need. Our goal is to be one global team that is representative of our customers, in an inclusive environment where we can continue to innovate and grow together. Please click here: Equal Employment Opportunity.
• Hewlett Packard Enterprise is EEO Protected Veteran/ Individual with Disabilities.
• HPE will comply with all applicable laws related to employer use of arrest and conviction records, including laws requiring employers to consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories.
• Recruitment Fraud Alert
• We have become aware of an increase in fraudulent recruitment activities in which individuals impersonate our company or authorized recruitment agencies to offer fake employment opportunities. These scams may occur through false websites, emails, social media, or chat-based applications and often aim to obtain personal information or money. Please note that Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), its direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliated companies, and its authorized recruitment agencies/vendors will never charge a candidate a registration fee, hiring fee, or any other fee in connection with its recruitment and hiring process. We also never request personal information such as back account details, Social Security numbers, or national IDs via social media or chat applications.
• All legitimate job opportunities will come through official company channels, and candidates are responsible for verifying the credentials of any third party claiming to represent the company. Any reliance on fraudulent communication is at the individual’s own risk, and HPE disclaims legal liability for any resulting damages. If you suspect recruitment fraud, do not share personal information or make any payments and report the incident to your local authorities immediately.