Application Specialist - Data Center Cooling Systems - HVAC

Job Description

Job Description

Application Specialist - Data Center Cooling Systems - Industrial HVAC

Carel is a growing, multinational organization specializing in controls for HVAC, HVAC/R and humidification systems.

Focus is on maximizing the application of our control and cooling solutions in industrial environments by developing, communicating, and implementing market best practices for HVAC systems to OEMs and end-users. Guides OEM applications and testing for heavy-duty industrial HVAC applications including process cooling, industrial ventilation, data center cooling solutions, including traditional air cooling, chilled distributed units (CDUs), and liquid cooling systems. Provides comprehensive technical support for OEM's pre-commercial initiatives and installations in industrial applications. Represents the company by providing strong technical leadership in HVAC control applications for industrial processes including data centers and supports regional and global strategy initiatives and projects. Reports to the Sr. Application Manager and works in collaboration with Global Marketing Solutions teams.

Proactively leads initiatives to apply efficient and advantageous control strategies and operations for industrial processes including manufacturing, data centers, and other critical facilities. Works with air handling units, process cooling equipment, industrial ventilation systems, precision cooling equipment, CDUs, and liquid cooling infrastructure. Reactively supports OEMs and end-users in early implementation phases by ensuring configuration and technical problems are addressed accurately and quickly. Responsible for being the HVAC control systems expert for industrial applications and for providing technical trainings both internally and externally to customers as required.

Ensures helpful, timely communication of technical concerns or opportunities; involves internal and external necessary parties; is responsible for maximizing outcomes and the speed of those outcomes. Responsible for elevating issues of urgency related to HVAC controls issues and opportunities within industrial environments.. Analyzes, isolates, and diagnoses ways to improve performance of control systems and cooling equipment through configuration or application and roll-out strategy. Proactively partners with OEMs to help them plan, design, and solve systemic issues or to improve operations before HVAC systems enter an industrial facility. Performs the following duties:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Actively supports design and implementation of complete HVAC control solutions with OEMs in industrial markets, focused on improving energy efficiency, cooling capacity, reliability, operational dependability, and regulatory compliance. Functions as the HVAC control expert who can guide good choices, support implementation, and establish best practices.
• Supports commercial efforts including technical training, installation protocols, documentation development, configuration and commissioning processes, troubleshooting methodologies, and general guidance to OEMs involved with industrial process cooling, heavy-duty ventilation systems, data center cooling, and other industrial HVAC applications.
• Participates in product strategy, development, and manufacturing coordination for new and emerging HVAC products based on industrial application needs and market demands, with particular focus on process cooling, high-density cooling solutions, and energy optimization.
• Provides technical expertise on the integration and optimization of controllers, supervisory systems, humidifiers, heat exchangers, dampers, and other HVAC accessories within industrial environments to maximize system efficiency and minimize energy consumption.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams including sales, engineering, marketing, manufacturing, and operations to develop product solutions responsive to industrial customer needs and market opportunities.
• Dependably communicates in a timely manner the status and actions needed for problem resolution and recommendations for improvements, both internally and externally.
• Advocates and takes timely action that results in positive customer outcomes, particularly in industrial environments where HVAC system reliability is essential.
• Is directly responsible for identifying best HVAC controller and system practices from the customer-needs perspective and for developing standards that will address the majority of known or anticipated customer requirements in industrial applications.

Technical Focus Areas

The Application Specialist will be responsible for providing expertise across a comprehensive range of industrial HVAC applications, including:

Data center cooling represents a significant portion of industrial HVAC applications, encompassing traditional air systems, chilled water solutions, and advanced liquid cooling technologies. The specialist will work with computer room air handlers (CRAHs) and computer room air conditioners (CRACs), implementing hot/cold aisle containment strategies and optimizing airflow management with pressure control systems. This includes expertise in variable speed fan and compressor control, economizer modes, and free cooling applications to maximize efficiency. Environmental monitoring systems for temperature, humidity, and particulates are essential for data center reliability.

For high-density computing environments, the specialist will contribute to the development and enhancement of chilled distributed units (CDUs) and secondary coolant distribution systems, creating specialized control strategies to optimize their performance. A key responsibility will be driving innovation in advanced cooling technologies such as direct-to-chip cooling, cold plates, and immersion cooling systems that are critical for next-generation high-performance computing. The specialist will lead efforts to design and develop integrated solutions that connect heat rejection systems with building management systems and will pioneer new approaches to redundancy control and failover systems for mission-critical applications, ensuring maximum uptime and reliability.

Industrial HVAC systems encompass a wide variety of specialized applications requiring advanced technical knowledge. These include process cooling systems for manufacturing, mining, oil & gas, and heavy industry environments where precise temperature control is critical for operations. The specialist will work with industrial ventilation, air filtration, and contamination control systems to maintain air quality standards in production facilities. For hazardous environments, expertise in explosion-proof and hazardous area HVAC requirements is essential to ensure safety compliance.

Energy efficiency is a key focus area, requiring knowledge of heat recovery systems, waste heat utilization, and optimization strategies to reduce operational costs. Industrial processes often require specialized dehumidification and humidity control solutions to maintain product quality and prevent equipment deterioration. Manufacturing operations frequently need precision temperature control systems to ensure consistent product quality and process stability.

The position also covers controlled environment applications such as clean rooms, agricultural and food processing cooling systems, pharmaceutical and biotech facility HVAC systems, specialized transportation and marine HVAC solutions, and cooling systems for power generation and utilities. Each of these areas requires specialized knowledge of industry-specific requirements, regulatory standards, and best practices for system design and optimization.

Reporting Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities. The company uses a matrix organization model, whereby the Application Specialist reports directly to the Sr. Application Manager

Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• HVAC System Troubleshooting -- Ability to troubleshoot complex HVAC systems relating to industrial applications including data centers, manufacturing facilities, and other process environments. Expertise in diagnosing controllers, supervisory systems, humidifiers, heat exchangers, dampers, and accessories. Ability to understand and advise regarding system performance as it relates to information collected by industrial control systems, building management systems, and cloud-based monitoring services.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops acceptable alternative solutions within the scope of company practices; works well in group problem solving situations, particularly in industrial environments with critical response requirements.
• Technical Collaboration - Balances team and individual responsibilities; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Customer Service -- Provides accurate, clear, helpful and timely information, both verbally and written. Is a trusted advisor to customers and internal team members. Dependably leverages internal and external resources to improve customer outcomes. Is highly conscious of urgency and action on behalf of customers, especially in industrial applications where production continuity and operational reliability are essential.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, the Application Specialist must demonstrate strong ability to perform essential duties. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field preferred.

Requires three years' experience (or the equivalent) configuring and troubleshooting HVAC control systems with specific experience in industrial applications including: industrial ventilation, process cooling, data center cooling, explosion-proof HVAC, traditional air cooling systems, chilled distributed units, or liquid cooling systems. Experience with integration of controllers, supervisory systems, humidifiers, heat exchangers, dampers, and other HVAC accessories is required.

Note: Recent college graduates with relevant coursework, internships, or project experience in HVAC systems may be considered for a junior version of this position.

Computer and presentation literacy required, including the ability to build effective presentation decks and technical documentation.

Working knowledge of industrial standards (API, NEMA, ATEX, etc.) and energy efficiency metrics for industrial applications including data centers (PUE, WUE, etc.) is a plus .

The ideal candidate will also possess a basic understanding of brand positioning, the importance of market research, and the context and practices of solutions application when representing a company's brand to a customer.

Language Skills

Excellent technical communication skill, both written and verbal, with highly technical and non-technical audiences, internally and externally. Must be able to communicate effectively within several industry contexts (industrial operations, manufacturing, data center operators, OEMs, engineers, sales, marketing, key customer stakeholders) and with multiple levels of customer and industry organizations.

Proficiency in English required. Additional languages are a plus for regional assignments.

Reasoning Ability

High degree of technical aptitude with specific understanding of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and control theory as applied to industrial process and data center cooling applications.

Understands changing context of technical information depending on audience.

Has experience relating market research or a customer profile to practical activities and customer relationships.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to interact with customers and colleagues and use a computer in an office and field environment. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel and to sit, kneel or crouch. The employee may be required to climb ladders, work in raised floor environments, and lift up to 40 pounds. This position requires up to 40% overnight travel, with occasional weekend travel.

Work Environment

Office, manufacturing facilities, industrial plants, labs and data center environments both during operation and construction phases. Car and plane travel is required. Employee may occasionally be exposed to high noise levels, cold or hot temperature extremes, airborne particles, electrical equipment, hazardous chemicals, explosive atmospheres, and confined spaces. Personal protective equipment is required in many environments. The noise level in the work environment fluctuates between relatively quiet and high levels of noise.

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