UL

Principal Engineer (PDE)

UL • $155K — $175K *
Northbrook, IL 60062In-Person
Technical Services
11 - 15 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal/Fluid Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Applied Physics.
  • 12+ years of progressive engineering experience in high-density data center cooling or advanced HVACR product development.
  • Proven leadership in managing cross-functional global teams of technical experts.
  • Strong adherence to corporate conduct and digital/physical security protocols.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as region or global Subject Matter Expert (SME) for multiple technologies and standards.
  • Develop and manage new standard programs and capabilities internationally.
  • Perform complex test procedures and maintain testing equipment.
  • Train staff and provide technical issue resolution for clients globally.
  • Drive industry technical consensus and establish service creation programs.
  • Architect certifications for waste heat quality and ensure global compliance with regulatory frameworks.
  • Operationalize lab suites for performance testing of thermal management technologies.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, and vision care.
  • Wellness programs focused on mental and financial health.
  • 401K retirement savings plan with company contributions.
  • Generous paid time off including 15 vacation days and 12 holidays.
  • Annual bonus eligibility with a target payout of 20% of base salary.
Full Job Description
Job Description

  • Serves as Regional or Global SME for multiple technologies.
  • Serves as representative on standards committees.
  • Publishes articles related to technical expertise.
  • Studies and understands test standards, testing technology, and regulations for scope of responsibility.
  • Takes on role as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for standards, industry, and/or test capability.
  • May represent UL at industry related functions such as seminars, trade shows or standards committees.
  • Manages or develops new standard programs and capabilities for region or globally.
  • Has detailed understanding of test techniques, procedures, and equipment.
  • Performs complex test procedures when necessary.
  • Provides training to staff when necessary.
  • Follows up on contacts from clients and communicates technical issues, Test Standard explanations, certification requirements and UL procedures and requirements.
  • Acts to address client concerns and resolve issues for a region or global office.
  • Drives for consistency and enhanced quality in area of expertise.
  • Within their region, or for the wider organization, operates and maintains test equipment appropriately to measure and test customer samples.
  • Performs maintenance on designated test equipment and laboratory area.
  • May perform calibration of test equipment.
  • Integrates continuous improvement concepts and techniques into all aspects of the job for a region or global office.
  • Manages and reviews related internal documents for accuracy.
  • Develops special test methods and test equipment for new standards, test requirements, or improved efficiency, when needed.
  • Likely to support the business externally through travelling to meetings at client sites, attendance at industry related events and other meetings.
  • Read and follow the Underwriters Laboratories Code of Conduct and follow all physical and digital security practices.
  • Performs other duties as directed.


Responsibilities

A. Boundary Architect (Regulatory & Standards)
  • Hazard Protocols: Engineer safety evaluations for coolant leaks, dielectric fluid chemistry, and A2L/A3 refrigerant flammability.
  • Commercial Vision: Convert thermal management trends and safety metrics into profitable commercial services.

B. Ecosystem Developer (OCP & Market Alignment)
  • OCP Standardization: Embed UL safety philosophies into Cold Plate, Immersion, and Heat Reuse open specifications.
  • Service Creation: Launch 'UL Verified' programs to validate cold plate dissipation and universal quick disconnect (UQD) interchangeability.
  • Industry Influence: Drive technical consensus across competing vendors, hyperscalers, ASHRAE TC 9.9, and the Green Grid.

C. Sustainability & Regulatory Driver
  • Heat Reuse Certification: Architect programs to rate waste heat quality for predictable utility grid monetization.
  • Global Compliance: Align offerings with DOE, NRCan, EU EED, and Ecodesign frameworks ahead of regulatory enforcement.

Key Essential Tasks
  • Performance Testing: Operationalize lab suites validating cold plate thermal resistance, pressure drop, and hydraulic impedance.
  • Blind-Mate Interoperability: Establish mechanical regimes for Open Rack V3 (ORv3) manifolds to prevent binding and bypass.
  • Dielectric Compatibility: Standardize chemical and electrical compatibility tests between immersion fluids and server components.
  • Leak Detection Integration: Map unified Redfish API schemas to trigger automated isolation across CDUs and loops.
  • Thought Leadership: Publish white papers on regulatory minefields like PFAS restrictions and global F-Gas phasedowns.
  • Workforce Training: Build global laboratory capacity through standardized internal engineering curricula.


Qualifications

  • Formal Educational Background: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal/Fluid Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Applied Physics from an accredited university program.
  • Direct Professional Experience: A minimum of 12+ years of direct, progressive engineering experience in high-density data center cooling design, advanced HVACR product development, or comprehensive thermal management engineering within high-performance computing (HPC) or hyperscale cloud ecosystems.
  • Track Record of Leadership: Demonstrated history of direct management or programmatic leadership of high-performing, cross-functional global teams of technical experts and laboratory specialists, with a clear adherence to formal corporate codes of conduct and comprehensive digital/physical security protocols.

What we offer:
  • Total Rewards: We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. The estimated salary range for this position is $155,000-$175,000 and is based on multiple factors, including job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, as well as other factors. This position is eligible for annual bonus compensation with a target payout of 20% of the base salary. This position also provides health benefits such as medical, dental and vision; wellness benefits such as mental and financial health; and retirement savings (401K) commensurate with the standard rewards offered in each individual location or country. We also provide full-time employees with paid time off including vacation (15 days), holiday including floating holidays (12 days) and sick time off (72 hours).

About UL

UL is a global safety certification company headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois. It was founded in 1894 and has been providing safety testing, inspection, and certification services for over 125 years. UL operates in over 100 countries and has more than 14,000 employees worldwide. The company's mission is to promote safe living and working environments by advancing safety science. UL's services cover a wide range of industries, including consumer products, industrial equipment, building materials, and more.
Learn more about UL
Size
14,700 employees
Industry
Aerospace & Defense
Founded
1900
* Ladders Estimates

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