November 2025Alex Hayes, Executive Director of Critical Infrastructure, LVI Associates
Preparing the Workforce for Liquid-Cooled Data Centers
The data center industry has reached a point where traditional air cooling can no longer keep up. As power densities rise and AI workloads grow more complex, racks consuming or exceeding 70 kW have become increasingly more common, pushing conventional systems beyond their limits. Liquid cooling has therefore shifted from innovation to necessity.
In 2024, about 20% of data centers had implemented liquid cooling, and that figure is expected to reach 38% by 2026. For hyperscale and AI-focused builds, adoption is projected to exceed 50% by 2027. This is not a temporary trend but a structural shift in how modern data centers are designed and operated.
Why are liquid-cooled data centers accelerating?
Air cooling worked when racks drew less than 10 kW, but new-generation processors and GPUs produce much more heat in smaller spaces. Air can no longer remove that heat effectively. Liquids, by contrast, have far higher thermal conductivity, transferring heat hundreds of times faster than air.
Operators using liquid cooling report energy savings of up to 40%, along with greater reliability and sustainability. The technology also enables heat and water reuse, making data centers more efficient and environmentally responsible.
How does liquid cooling work?
Liquid cooling replaces traditional airflow with circulating coolant that absorbs and carries heat away from high-power components.
There are two main types:
Direct-to-chip cooling mounts precision-engineered metal cold plates directly onto processors, GPUs, and sometimes voltage regulators. These plates contain internal channels that let coolant circulate across their surface, absorbing heat at the source. The heated coolant then travels through insulated pipes to a coolant distribution unit (CDU), where heat transfers into a secondary water loop. That loop connects to chillers, dry coolers, or building heat-recovery systems that reuse energy for space or water heating. The CDU then returns cooled liquid to the servers, creating a continuous, efficient cycle.
Immersion cooling takes the concept further. Entire servers, including power supplies and circuit boards, are submerged in a bath of thermally conductive but electrically non-conductive liquid, usually a synthetic hydrocarbon or fluorocarbon. Because every hardware surface is in direct contact with the coolant, heat is absorbed quickly and evenly. The warmed liquid moves to a heat exchanger, where it releases the captured energy into a secondary loop. That heat can then be expelled or reused for applications such as heating nearby buildings, industrial water systems, or greenhouses.
Both methods use closed-loop systems, meaning the same liquid is continuously cooled and recirculated. This reduces waste, limits contamination, and removes the need for large-scale air movement. Liquids transfer heat far more efficiently than air, so these systems maintain stable temperatures with lower fan speeds, less energy use, and quieter data halls.
Designing liquid cooling as the standard
Treating liquid cooling as the default means building it into every stage of the data center lifecycle, from design to operation. Effective systems depend on engineered cooling architectures, purpose-built CDUs, continuous monitoring, and structured maintenance schedules.
Maintenance should include coolant quality testing, leak prevention routines, and safe handling procedures. Embedding these standards early improves reliability, scalability, and cost efficiency.
This precision demands a specialized workforce:
- Mechanical and process engineers design fluid circuits and pressure-balanced systems.
- Electrical and automation engineers manage sensors, pumps, and control systems.
- Facilities technicians handle service tasks, inspect flow rates, and maintain coolant integrity.
- Health, safety, and environmental specialists oversee fluid handling and recycling to meet sustainability standards.
As liquid cooling becomes standard, these disciplines must collaborate closely. Leading data centers form cross-functional teams where IT, facilities, and sustainability experts work together to monitor and optimize cooling infrastructure.
Data center hiring: The talent driving the change
The biggest transformation in data centers is not technology, it’s people. Liquid cooling requires a broader mix of skills across engineering, IT, and facilities management.
Facilities engineers now need to understand coolant chemistry, pressure control, and manifold design. IT teams must work with mechanical and electrical engineers to manage racks that depend on liquid flow instead of airflow. Real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and analytics are part of everyday operations.
The technology is ready, but the workforce isn’t yet. At LVI Associates, we’ve seen a sharp rise in demand for liquid-cooling expertise across data center projects. Upskilling existing teams and developing new talent will be essential to close the skills gap and keep these facilities running safely and efficiently.
The line between IT and facilities is narrowing. Operators need multi-skilled teams who understand both mechanical systems and digital platforms. Recruiting and retaining these professionals is increasingly difficult, making talent strategy a key factor in operational success.
Liquid cooling depends on people who can design, build, and maintain complex systems. Hiring from mechanical, process, and chemical engineering backgrounds, while training current staff, will be essential. Companies that invest early in their workforce will gain long-term advantages in reliability, efficiency, and sustainability.
Data center talent
At LVI Associates, we partner with data center operators, contractors, and engineering firms worldwide to connect them with the professionals who make advanced infrastructure possible. As liquid cooling becomes standard, demand for specialists in thermal management, process engineering, mechanical systems, and automation continues to grow.
If you’re a client looking to expand your team or hire experienced data center professionals, request a call back. Our consultants will connect you with experts who can deliver complex projects safely and efficiently.
Alternatively, if you’re a professional looking to advance your career in data center engineering, submit your resume or explore our open roles. We work with global leaders building next-generation, sustainable infrastructure.
