Hydronic Systems Architect (Mechanical Distribution Focus)

We are looking for a Hydronic Systems Architect (Distribution Focus) to own the mechanical distribution architecture for our modular liquid-cooled data center platform. This role is responsible for the piping, valves, instrumentation, module interconnects, and serviceability strategy across both the primary water loop and secondary PG25 loop. 

This is a hands-on architecture and execution role focused on building a system that is repeatable, commissionable, maintainable, and scalable across multiple deployments. The right candidate will bring deep hydronic distribution expertise and a practical understanding of what it takes to move a design from concept into manufacturing, field installation, startup, and long-term operation. 

You will work closely with internal engineering teams, OEMs, fabricators, controls, manufacturing, and commissioning leads to ensure the mechanical distribution layer is robust, standardized, and ready for real-world deployment. 

What You'll Do (Key Responsibilities)

Hydronic Architecture Ownership 

• Own the hydronic distribution architecture across: 

• Primary water/PG25 loop 

• Secondary water/PG25 loop 

• Define and standardize system design rules for flow, pressure drop, balancing, and measurement 

• Establish practical design approaches for PG25 and water-based systems, including pipe sizing, fluid behavior, and maintainability considerations 

• Support system-level alignment between plant, distribution, and rack cooling interfaces 

Distribution Design and Interface Control 

• Own distribution P&IDs, valve schedules, and instrumentation schedules 

• Maintain revision discipline, tagging standards, and interface clarity across the mechanical distribution package 

• Define boundaries and interfaces between plant equipment, CDUs, rack cooling components, and module-to-module interconnects 

• Develop and maintain interface control documentation for hydronic system boundaries 

Commissioning-First Design 

• Design for startup, commissioning, and long-term operation 

• Define fill, flush, vent, drain, isolation, bypass, and strainer strategies 

• Establish measurement points for flow, differential pressure, and temperature 

• Partner with commissioning and controls teams to define what must be measured, how it will be measured, and what acceptable startup performance looks like 

Pipe Sizing and Pressure Drop Management 

• Own pipe sizing methodology and pressure drop strategy for both PG25 and water loops 

• Define practical approaches to balancing and instrumentation placement 

• Ensure real-world field performance aligns with design intent 

• Help establish repeatable standards for distribution performance across product variants 

Layout, Serviceability, and Buildability 

• Own mechanical distribution layout packages and service clearance requirements 

• Ensure systems are designed for safe access, maintenance, replacement, and long-term serviceability 

• Support design for manufacturing by standardizing routing approaches, fittings strategy, tolerances, and assembly expectations 

• Help define clear factory-built versus field-installed scope boundaries 

Modular Interconnect Strategy 

• Define standard module interconnect approaches, including manifolds, quick connects, labeling, boundary isolation, and leak detection interfaces as applicable 

• Ensure interconnect designs support rapid deployment while preserving reliability and maintainability 

• Drive consistency across builds to reduce site variability and improve product repeatability 

Cross-Functional Integration 

• Partner with mechanical plant, thermal, electrical, controls, manufacturing, and commissioning teams 

• Coordinate system interfaces without losing baseline discipline 

• Work with OEMs and fabricators while maintaining ownership of the internal distribution architecture and standards 

• Support factory builds, field feedback collection, and lessons-learned incorporation into future revisions 

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in hydronic distribution design for data centers, industrial systems, mission-critical HVAC, or comparable thermal infrastructure 

• Strong experience owning P&IDs, valve strategies, and instrumentation design 

• Practical field knowledge of commissioning, startup, and serviceability constraints 

• Experience with glycol-based cooling systems such as PG25 or equivalent 

• Strong understanding of pipe sizing, flow management, pressure drop, balancing, and measurement strategies 

• Proven ability to maintain documentation discipline, revision control, and interface clarity 

• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills across mechanical, controls, manufacturing, and field teams 

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Experience with liquid-to-liquid and liquid-to-air cooling systems for high-density compute or AI/HPC environments 

• Familiarity with modular or prefabricated infrastructure systems 

• Understanding and experience in AFT Fathom, Pipeflo and CFD Products  

• CAD or BIM fluency sufficient for 3D coordination, clash avoidance, and clearance validation 

• PE license in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent depth of experience