Vice President of Data Center Engineering (MEP)

Job Title: VP of Data Center Engineering (MEP)

Company: Submer 

Location: Houston, TX

About Submer

Submer is a leader in sustainable, cutting-edge technology solutions focused on reducing the environmental impact of data centers through innovative, energy-efficient cooling systems. We are on a mission to revolutionize how the world consumes energy in high-performance computing environments. With a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and technological excellence, Submer is paving the way for the future of data center infrastructure.

What impact you will have

We seek an experienced and dynamic VP of Data Center Engineering (MEP) to join our executive team. In this pivotal leadership role, you will be responsible for driving the technology vision, innovation, and overall engineering strategy at Submer. You will oversee all engineering activities, including research and development (R&D). You will lead a talented team of engineers and lab R+D engineers, manage complex technical projects, and ensure the continuous growth and success of our products.

The ideal candidate will have a strong track record in scaling engineering teams, delivering advanced technology products, and aligning engineering efforts with business goals. You will work closely with senior leadership to identify technology trends and shape the direction of Submer’s technological innovations and lead the efforts in R&D to drive the future of sustainable data center technologies.

What you’ll do

Strategic Leadership: Provide strategic direction for all product engineering activities, including R&D, testing and validation. Align engineering initiatives with Submer’s overall business objectives.

R&D Innovation: Lead the R&D efforts to develop next-generation technologies and systems that enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and performance of Submer’s cooling solutions and power distribution modules. Oversee the operation of Submer’s labs, ensuring that experimental work, prototyping, and testing drive continuous innovation.

Team Leadership: Build, mentor, and scale high-performing engineering teams across various disciplines. Foster a collaborative, results-driven culture within the engineering and R&D departments.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with other departments (e.g., Product, Sales, Operations) to ensure engineering initiatives support customer needs and business priorities.

Technology Vision: Shape and articulate the company’s technology roadmap, ensuring alignment with both short- and long-term goals, particularly in R&D and new product development.

Technical Excellence: Oversee the technical design and architecture of Submer’s products, ensuring that best practices are followed in all engineering and R&D processes.

Customer Focus: Collaborate with product management to ensure the delivery of innovative, market-leading solutions that exceed customer expectations.

Operational Efficiency: Develop and implement engineering processes, tools, and metrics to ensure high efficiency, quality, and scalability of engineering operations, including R&D efforts.

External Representation: Represent Submer at industry conferences, technology events, and with potential customers and partners to showcase Submer’s technological leadership and innovations.

Lab Oversight: Oversee the design, management, and use of Submer’s labs, ensuring they provide effective support for prototyping, testing, and development of cutting-edge technologies.

What you’ll need

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. Master’s in Engineering or MBA preferred.
• Minimum of 10-15 years of MEP engineering experience, including at least 5+ years in a senior leadership role (VP of Engineering, Director of Engineering, or similar).
• Technical Expertise: Strong background in systems engineering, cloud technologies, high-performance computing, power distribution and advanced cooling systems (preferably in data centers or related industries).
• R&D Leadership: Proven experience managing R&D functions, from conceptual development through prototyping and testing, with an emphasis on innovation in engineering products and systems.
• Leadership Skills: Proven experience building, leading, and scaling engineering and R&D teams in fast-growing organizations. Strong mentorship abilities with a focus on team development and career growth.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to set a strategic vision for technology and engineering, balancing long-term goals with immediate business needs.
• Cross-