Chief Engineer
Position Type: Full-time, Exempt, Salary
Reports to: Portfolio Leader – Chiller Product Management
Supervisory Responsibility: Application Engineers
Location: Jacksonville, FL (Corporate Headquarters)
Company Summary
Stellar Energy is a trusted provider of turnkey liquid-to-chip cooling solutions for the world’s leading data center and industrial manufacturing customers. As computing demand and industrial processes continue to grow, modern facilities require cooling infrastructure that can scale quickly, efficiently, and reliably.
Our modular approach enables high-volume production while maintaining the flexibility to customize each solution. From Central Utility Plants to Coolant Distribution Units, Stellar Energy delivers scalable cooling infrastructure designed to support the rapid expansion of data centers and mission-critical industrial operations.
Backed by deep engineering expertise and large-scale manufacturing capability, Stellar Energy helps customers deploy critical infrastructure faster and with confidence.
Summary Objective
The Chief Engineer is a cross-functional systems expert with knowledge and capability across the range of engineering disciplines required by Stellar Energy’s offerings. The role engages with customers and the engineering team to understand, document, and deliver optimized solutions for client needs. The role is primarily focused on the front-end of solution development, but provides support of engineering programs executed by cross-functional teams.
The primary responsibility of the Chief Engineer is to lead the technical development, performance, and execution of modular cooling solutions and modular central utility plants for data centers and industrial markets. This includes ownership of the engineering lifecycle from concept development through design support, project execution, commissioning support, and post-handover technical support. This is accomplished by leading and developing application engineers, self-executing new and complex analyses, and influencing the design of thermal and utility systems to ensure the ideal solution is delivered to the customer.
This role will lead a team of application engineers responsible for translating customer inputs into engineering program requirements and remaining engaged throughout project execution as key cross-functional technical decision-makers.
Essential Functions
- Lead the technical development and performance analysis of modular cooling solutions and modular central utility plants for data center and industrial applications.
- Serve as key technical expert in customer meetings, translating customer needs into engineering program requirements
- Provide engineering leadership for system architecture, equipment selection, thermal performance, and overall plant optimization.
- Drive concept development, feasibility evaluations, and technical solution definition for customer opportunities.
- Deliver accurate, complete, clear, and timely results to department heads and business executives.
- Present results and technical recommendations to customers.
- Provide cross-functional, systems-level technical support to engineering leadership.
- Lead analysis tool development and maintenance.Perform project economic evaluations.
- Responsible for hiring, training, developing, and coaching team members.
- Lead and develop application engineers responsible for translating customer inputs into engineering program requirements and remaining engaged throughout project execution as key cross-functional technical decision-makers.
- Advise on industry trends.
- Develop new technologies, methods, and processes.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Competencies
- Core Traits: Initiative, curiosity/willingness to learn new things, excitement, perseverance, positivity
- Leadership: Management, decision making, mentoring
- Communication: Strong verbal and written skills
- Technical: Problem solving, detailed analysis skills, extreme attention to detail
- Financial Acumen.
Supervisory Responsibility
This position will supervise application engineers and/or analysts.
Work Location
This position will work out of our Main Office in Jacksonville, FL. This position is not approved for telecommuting or working remotely. Or where the employee will physically work.
Work Environment
Most work is performed in an office environment. Regular trips to SEA Fabrication Shop for observation and research
are required.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee frequently is required to walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand. The employee must frequently lift or move objects up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move objects up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Travel
Anticipated up to 15% travel for this position. Some occasional local day travel may also be necessary. Occasional travel to customer job sites and conferences may be required.
Required Education and Experience.
- Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, preferably Mechanical or Chemical, from an accredited university
- Significant experience in thermal systems, cooling systems, central utility plant design, or related engineered infrastructure solutions
- Experience supporting data center, industrial, mission-critical, or utility-related projects
- Experience with:
- Chilled water system equipment and performance
- Cooling plant design and optimization
- Energy storage principles, with specific knowledge of chilled water thermal energy storage
- Thermodynamic cycles (vapor-compression required; Brayton, Rankine, vapor-absorption preferred)
- Modular equipment and packaged plant solutions
- Advanced skills with:
- Microsoft Excel, including macros and VBA
- Performance modeling and engineering analysis tools
- Weather/climatic data collection and statistical analysis
Preferred Education and Experience
- Master of Science degree in Engineering from an accredited university
- Familiarity with modular central utility plants, district cooling systems, or large-scale cooling infrastructure
- Familiarity with domestic and international energy and infrastructure markets
- Experience in development of software as a service
Work Authorization
Must be authorized to work in the USA.
Benefits Summary
We offer a competitive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance (multiple plan options; preventive care covered at 100% in-network)
- Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contributions
- 401(k) with company match (100% match up to 3% + 50% match up to 6%)
- Company-paid life insurance and AD&D coverage
- Short-term and long-term disability coverage options
- Supplemental benefits including accident, critical illness, and hospital coverage
- Wellness programs, including incentives up to $300 annually and a no-cost weight management program
- Virtual healthcare options, including $0 virtual visits in many cases
- Additional voluntary benefits including legal services and pet insurance
Skills Required
- Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, preferably Mechanical or Chemical
- Significant experience in thermal systems, cooling systems, central utility plant design, or related engineered infrastructure solutions
- Experience supporting data center, industrial, mission-critical, or utility-related projects
- Experience with chilled water system equipment and performance
- Experience with cooling plant design and optimization
- Experience with energy storage principles
- Advanced skills with Microsoft Excel, including macros and VBA
What We Do
Stellar Energy is a trusted provider of turnkey liquid-to-chip cooling solutions for the world’s leading data center and industrial manufacturing customers. As computing demand and industrial processes continue to grow, modern facilities require cooling infrastructure that can scale quickly, efficiently, and reliably. Our modular approach enables high-volume production while maintaining the flexibility to customize each solution. From Central Utility Plants to Coolant Distribution Units, Stellar Energy delivers scalable cooling infrastructure designed to support the rapid expansion of data centers and mission-critical industrial operations. Backed by deep engineering expertise and large-scale manufacturing capability, Stellar Energy helps customers deploy critical infrastructure faster and with confidence.
