R&D Manager

Job Summary:

The R & D Manager – Heat Transfer & Immersion Cooling is responsible for the development, testing, and the optimization of thermal management solutions. This role leads the design, simulation, controls integration, and experimental validation of advanced cooling systems including custom air-cooled and liquid-cooled heat exchangers. The engineer will interface across departments and with external partners to ensure product performance, manufacturability, and technical alignment with market needs.

Key Responsibilities:

- Design, model, and optimize heat exchangers and thermal components for immersion-cooled systems in blockchain and HPC applications.

- Conduct thermal and fluid flow simulations using analytical and computational tools (e.g., CFD, FEA).

- Lead product validation efforts including heat rejection, pressure drop, materials compatibility, and long-term fluid behavior.

- Develop, implement, and test control strategies for active thermal management systems, including temperature regulation, pump control, and fan performance.

- Specify and evaluate communication protocols and control system interfaces such as Modbus, Profinet, BACnet, or proprietary platforms.

- Integrate sensors and instrumentation into test units and prototypes to monitor system performance and enable intelligent diagnostics.

- Ensure seamless integration of controls hardware and software into final product designs.

- Execute and document experimental test plans; analyze and present data to inform engineering decisions.

- Drive continuous product improvement and lead early-stage prototyping, field trials, and pilot testing.

- Maintain detailed design documentation, revision control, test reports, and risk analyses.

- Support intellectual property efforts including patent documentation and competitive technology benchmarking.

Collaboration Interfaces:

Manufacturing & Operations:

- Work closely with shop floor teams to ensure design for manufacturability (DFM), testability, and reliability in full-scale production.

- Provide engineering support during product launches and resolve issues related to fabrication, brazing, assembly, and functional testing.

Sales & Applications Engineering:

- Partner with customer-facing teams to interpret requirements, provide technical support, and align solutions with client applications.

- Contribute to pre-sales and proposal development efforts with performance modeling and concept designs.

Supply Chain & Procurement:

- Coordinate with sourcing to select and qualify suppliers for critical components, including controls, sensors, and immersion fluids.

Customers & Technology Partners:

- Interface with customers, immersion fluid providers, and systems integrators during design reviews, field testing, and installation support.

- Incorporate customer feedback and market trends into design evolution.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience:

- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal/Fluid Sciences, or a related field (Master’s preferred).

- 3–7 years of experience in product development focused on heat transfer, thermal management, or cooling systems.

- Experience with immersion cooling technologies, two-phase systems, or similar applications is highly desirable.

- Exposure to control systems design, PLC or embedded systems integration is a strong plus.

Technical Skills:

- Proficiency in CAD (SolidWorks preferred) and thermal simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS Fluent, COMSOL).

- Understanding of heat exchanger design principles, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics.

- Hands-on experience with lab instrumentation, sensor integration, and data acquisition.

- Familiarity with industrial communication protocols and control system architectures.

Professional Attributes:

- Strong problem-solving skills and technical curiosity.

- Excellent written and verbal communication across engineering and non-engineering stakeholders.

- Ability to manage multiple priorities and collaborate across departments.

Physical Requirements:

- Ability to work in a lab or production environment with occasional lifting of up to 25 lbs.

- Periodic travel (up to 10%) to test sites, vendors, or customer locations.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

- 401(k)

- 401(k) matching

- Dental insurance

- Employee assistance program

- Flexible spending account

- Health insurance

- Life insurance

- Paid time off

- Referral program

- Vision insurance

Education:

- Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

- Product development: 3 years (Required)

- CAD: 3 years (Required)

- SolidWorks: 3 years (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

- Tulsa, OK 74117 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

- Tulsa, OK 74117: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Willingness to travel:

- 25% (Required)

Work Location: In person