Job Title
Senior Mechanical Engineer | Thermal Systems Engineer | Mechanical Design Engineer – BESS & Modular Systems

Location
Phoenix, AZ or Buffalo, NY

Department
Engineering

Employment Type
Full-Time | Exempt

Company Overview
GTI Energy, a division of GTI Fabrication, designs, engineers, and manufactures complex modular systems supporting battery energy storage systems (BESS), modular data center infrastructure, power generation platforms, and industrial energy systems. Our products integrate structural, mechanical, thermal, and electrical systems into highly engineered enclosures operating in demanding real-world environments.

GTI operates in a fast-paced, engineered-to-order manufacturing environment where mechanical engineering decisions directly impact system performance, manufacturability, serviceability, cost, and production scalability.

Position Overview
GTI Energy is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead mechanical and thermal system design for enclosed industrial products including BESS platforms, modular data centers, power skids, and integrated energy infrastructure. This role is responsible for designing cooling systems, airflow management strategies, enclosure integration, and mechanical assemblies that perform reliably under real-world operating constraints.

This is not a traditional HVAC or commercial building engineering role. GTI is specifically seeking candidates with experience designing cooling systems for enclosed equipment and industrial systems where space limitations, airflow management, manufacturability, vibration, acoustics, serviceability, and environmental conditions must all be considered simultaneously.

The ideal Senior Mechanical Engineer has experience supporting products such as battery systems, power electronics, generator enclosures, modular data centers, industrial skids, switchgear systems, or other enclosed industrial equipment requiring engineered thermal management solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Thermal System Design & Cooling Integration

Design and integrate cooling systems for enclosed industrial equipment including BESS systems, modular data centers, power distribution equipment, and power generation platforms
Size cooling systems based on actual equipment heat loads, thermal rejection requirements, and operating conditions
Develop airflow strategies inside enclosed systems including ducting, circulation paths, pressure balancing, intake/exhaust placement, and thermal zoning
Design systems for worst-case ambient conditions, elevated operating loads, and real-world environmental constraints rather than nominal conditions only
Select and integrate off-the-shelf cooling equipment including HVAC units, heat exchangers, fans, chillers, and thermal management components

Mechanical System Design & Product Development

Own mechanical design from concept through production release including enclosure layouts, mounting systems, access requirements, structural interfaces, and equipment integration
Develop 3D CAD models, assemblies, manufacturing drawings, and BOMs using SolidWorks and related engineering tools
Design for manufacturability, assembly efficiency, serviceability, and long-term reliability
Support integration of pumps, piping, cable routing, thermal barriers, and mechanical support systems
Coordinate packaging constraints involving electrical systems, structural members, airflow, and maintenance access

Analysis, Validation & Engineering Calculations

Perform thermal analysis, airflow modeling, and engineering calculations supporting cooling system performance
Support CFD analysis and interpretation where applicable
Validate mechanical and thermal performance through testing, prototype evaluation, and field feedback
Participate in heat runs, system testing, troubleshooting, and performance optimization activities
Ensure designs meet customer, regulatory, and operational requirements

Cross-Functional Engineering Collaboration

Partner with Electrical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, NPI, Quality, and Operations teams throughout product development lifecycle
Collaborate closely with manufacturing teams to ensure designs align with fabrication, welding, assembly, and integration capabilities
Support prototype builds, pilot programs, and production launch activities
Work directly with Supply Chain and vendors on component selection, manufacturability, and technical problem solving

Design for Manufacturing (DFM) & Production Support

Drive DFM initiatives focused on reducing complexity, improving repeatability, and supporting scalable production
Design around manufacturing constraints including weldments, sheet metal fabrication, assembly sequencing, and production tolerances
Resolve production issues quickly and support continuous product improvement efforts
Standardize mechanical design approaches, cooling architectures, and reusable engineering solutions where possible

Continuous Improvement & Technical Leadership

Support Root Cause Analysis for field issues, thermal failures, or performance deviations
Contribute to engineering standards, design guides, and best practices across product lines
Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership on mechanical and thermal design challenges
Drive continuous improvement in performance, cost, manufacturability, and reliability

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline
6–12+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, thermal systems design, or product development within industrial or engineered product environments
Experience designing cooling systems for enclosed equipment — not commercial building HVAC systems
Strong experience with thermal management for battery systems, power electronics, industrial skids, generator enclosures, modular data centers, switchgear, or similar products
Experience sizing cooling systems based on actual equipment heat loads and operational requirements
Strong understanding of airflow management inside enclosed systems
Proficiency with SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD platforms
Strong knowledge of manufacturability, fabrication methods, and industrial product integration

Preferred Qualifications

Experience supporting BESS, modular data centers, power systems, or industrial energy infrastructure
Experience with CFD analysis and thermal modeling tools
Background in sheet metal, weldments, enclosure design, or industrial packaging
Experience in contract manufacturing or engineered-to-order product environments
Familiarity with UL requirements, environmental testing, or industrial compliance standards
Experience operating in fast-paced, high-growth engineering organizations

Why GTI Energy

Opportunity to design real-world infrastructure products supporting the growth of AI, energy storage, and power systems
High-impact engineering role with direct influence on product architecture and performance
Collaborative environment combining engineering depth with manufacturing execution
Exposure to advanced modular systems, thermal engineering challenges, and rapid product development
Strong career growth opportunities within a rapidly scaling organization

Learn more about this Employer on their Career Site