Job#: 3020782 Job Description: Role: Principal CDU Design EngineerDuration: 6-monthsLocation: Seattle, WA, Austin, TX, or Herndon, VA.Pay Rate: $120-$150/hrDESCRIPTIONOur client is seeking a visionary
Chief/Principal-level Coolant Distribution Unit (CDU) Design Engineer to architect, design, and prototype a
custom, next-generation liquid-to-liquid CDU platform purpose-built for their emerging high-density compute and chip-level cooling technologies.
This role goes beyond traditional CDU optimization-our client is pioneering a
from-scratch, first-of-its-kind cooling system, enabling liquid distribution to chip-level manifolds and next-generation server architectures. You will lead a zero-to-one design initiative, owning the end-to-end system architecture for a completely new CDU platform that is not derived from existing vendor offerings.
You will partner with Hardware Engineering, Mechanical Design, Operations, Sustainability, and Supply Chain teams to define new standards and lay the technical foundation for next-generation cooling infrastructure across the organization's global datacenter footprint.
This position requires a deep command of liquid cooling systems, full-scale CDU architecture, high-availability mechanical design, and first-principles engineering in ambiguous greenfield environments.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIESZero-to-One System Architecture- Own the end-to-end architecture, design, and system definition for a custom liquid-to-liquid CDU, starting from a blank slate.
- Develop a CDU that supports chip-level cold plate manifolds and next-generation liquid cooling loops.
- Lead a six-month concept and prototyping phase, with potential for long-term continuation or conversion.
- Evaluate and define system-level tradeoffs including hydraulic architecture, redundancy strategies, heat exchanger design, pumping systems, sensor strategies, and fluid chemistry.
- Build a design that meets our client's requirements for performance, serviceability, manufacturability, and hyperscale deployment.
Technical Leadership & Strategy- Define the long-term vision and roadmap for next-generation CDU technologies and liquid cooling distribution.
- Serve as the senior technical authority for CDU design decisions and global cooling strategy.
- Create organization-wide design guidance, reference architectures, system standards, and technical mechanisms.
Innovation & Advanced Engineering- Develop and refine novel CDU topologies, including liquid-to-liquid heat exchange, pump controls, zoning strategies, monitoring systems, and integration with facility cooling water.
- Conduct advanced modeling (CFD, hydraulic, thermal transients) to validate new concepts and system-level interactions.
- Explore next-generation cooling approaches (e.g., warm-water cooling, immersion/dielectric technologies, hybrid systems, and heat recovery).
Cross-Organizational Alignment- Partner closely with Hardware Engineering to ensure server-side cold plates and manifolds align with upstream CDU capabilities.
- Influence facility cooling design teams and rack/IT distribution teams to create a cohesive liquid cooling ecosystem.
- Represent Data Center Engineering in senior-level technical forums and strategic reviews.
Global Deployment, Prototyping & Reliability- Lead prototyping, testing, and validation of the custom CDU platform.
- Establish reliability targets, qualification test plans, and acceptance criteria.
- Support operations teams by developing global maintenance models, operational playbooks, and alarm strategies.
Vendor, Manufacturing & Supply Chain Leadership- Define the vendor ecosystem for the next-generation CDU, guiding manufacturing scalability and quality expectations.
- Evaluate vendor proposals, engineering designs, and qualification results.
- Drive modularity, standardization, and repeatability across global deployments.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
- 10+ years experience designing liquid cooling systems, thermal/fluid systems, or industrial mechanical systems.
- Demonstrated experience designing full-scale systems, not only components.
- Deep expertise in heat transfer, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and pumped liquid distribution.
- Experience delivering solutions in ambiguous, first-of-kind, greenfield engineering environments.
- Proficiency with advanced simulation tools (CFD, thermal, transient analysis, hydraulic modeling).
- Experience leading technical strategy and influencing senior technical leadership.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS- Master's or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
- Experience with hyperscale datacenter environments and AI/ML or HPC cooling loads.
- Direct background designing liquid-to-liquid CDUs, cold plate systems, or chip-level cooling manifolds.
- Leadership of cross-functional, global engineering initiatives.
- Expertise in PLC/controls design, advanced sensing, and automation for fluid systems.
- Proficiency in design for manufacturability, modular system design, and global supply chain scaling.
- Strong understanding of ASHRAE standards and energy-efficiency strategies.
- Ability to mentor senior engineers and raise the technical bar across the organization.
EEO EmployerApex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law. If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation in using our website for a search or application, please contact our Employee Services Department at or
Apex Systems is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico. Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click for more details.
Apex Benefits Overview: Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our 'Welcome Packet' as well, which an Apex team member can provide.
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