Company

Hardware Engineering

ThermalDesignEngineer

Palo Alto, California, United States FULL TIME
Market Sentiment
HIGH DEMAND

Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Senior candidates.

The Brief

“Thermal Design Engineer. Skills: thermal design, thermal analysis, CFD, FEA, thermal modeling, thermal testing, complex electromechanical systems. Own thermal design and analysis across the robot including arms, end effectors, and on-board compute from concept through volume production. Develop thermal architectures for high-torque-density actuators (motors, gearboxes, drives) in joints, where heat dissipation is the limiting factor on continuous performance”

What You'll Achieve.

thermal solutions scale from low-volume prototypes to high-volume production; validate thermal performance over the product's lifetime

Industry & Context.

Hardware Engineering
Problems you'll solve

Hands-on problem-solving approach; ability to iterate quickly; solving thermal problems

What They're Looking For.

Must Have

5+ years of experience (or equivalent "hard tech" projects) designing and validating thermal solutions for complex electromechanical systems, fundamentals in conduction, convection, and radiation, working knowledge of two-phase cooling and heat-pipe / vapor-chamber design, Hands-on experience with CFD tools (Ansys Icepak, Flotherm, SolidWorks Flow Simulation, or similar) and thermal FEA, Track record solving thermal problems in at least one of: high-torque-density motors / actuators, dense power electronics, or compute (CPU / GPU / custom accelerator), Comfortable instrumenting, testing, and debugging thermal performance on real hardware, Experience designing for volume processes (extrusion, die casting, brazing, stamping) and working with thermal component suppliers and contract manufacturers, High proficiency in SolidWorks, Catia, or similar CAD tools, Hands-on problem-solving approach with the ability to iterate quickly

Nice to Have

Experience in robotics, prosthetics, EV powertrains, drones, or other dense electromechanical systems, Familiarity with motor / actuator thermal modeling (winding hot-spot estimation, lumped-parameter networks), Experience with liquid cooling or hybrid air / liquid systems, PhD or research experience in thermal sciences

What You'll Do.

Own thermal design and analysis across the robot including arms

and on-board compute from concept through volume production

Develop thermal architectures for high-torque-density actuators (motors

where heat dissipation is the limiting factor on continuous performance

Design cooling solutions for end effectors within tight volume

and cable-routing constraints

Develop thermal management for on-board compute (CPUs

and active cooling where needed

Build thermal models (analytical

FEA) and validate them with hands-on testing

Specify and select thermal components (TIMs

phase-change materials) and own supplier relationships

Define thermal limits

and protection logic in collaboration with electrical

Contribute to DFM/DFA so thermal solutions scale from low-volume prototypes to high-volume production

Develop accelerated test plans to validate thermal performance over the product's lifetime

including environmental and duty-cycle stress

How You'll Work.

Team & Collaboration

Define thermal limits, derating curves, and protection logic in collaboration with electrical, firmware, and controls teams

Full Job Description

RESPONSIBILITIES - Own thermal design and analysis across the robot including arms, end effectors, and on-board compute from concept through volume production. - Develop thermal architectures for high-torque-density actuators (motors, gearboxes, drives) in joints, where heat dissipation is the limiting factor on continuous performance. - Design cooling solutions for end effectors within tight volume, mass, and cable-routing constraints. - Develop thermal management for on-board compute (CPUs, GPUs, custom accelerators, power electronics), including airflow, heat sinks, heat pipes, vapor chambers, TIMs, and active cooling where needed. - Build thermal models (analytical, CFD, FEA) and validate them with hands-on testing (thermocouple instrumentation, IR imaging, calorimetry, and accelerated stress tests) - Specify and select thermal components (TIMs, fans, heat pipes, heat sinks, blowers, phase-change materials) and own supplier relationships. - Define thermal limits, derating curves, and protection logic in collaboration with electrical, firmware, and controls teams. - Contribute to DFM/DFA so thermal solutions scale from low-volume prototypes to high-volume production. - Develop accelerated test plans to validate thermal performance over the product's lifetime, including environmental and duty-cycle stress. QUALIFICATIONS - 5+ years of experience (or equivalent "hard tech" projects) designing and validating thermal solutions for complex electromechanical systems. - Strong fundamentals in conduction, convection, and radiation, plus working knowledge of two-phase cooling and heat-pipe / vapor-chamber design. - Hands-on experience with CFD tools (Ansys Icepak, Flotherm, SolidWorks Flow Simulation, or similar) and thermal FEA. - Track record solving thermal problems in at least one of: high-torque-density motors / actuators, dense power electronics, or compute (CPU / GPU / custom accelerator). - Comfortable instrumenting, testing, and debugging thermal performance on r

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