Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred)
7+ years of experience in thermal design and validation for IT hardware
Proficiency in thermal simulation software and CAD tools
Strong understanding of heat transfer principles, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics
Hands-on experience with thermal testing equipment
Experience in chip/package-level thermal analysis
Ability to analyze experimental data and implement corrective actions
Responsibilities
Design and optimize thermal solutions for data center hardware
Evaluate thermal performance and address challenges in heat dissipation
Perform thermal modeling and simulation to predict temperature profiles
Collaborate with teams to integrate thermal management into hardware design
Support lab testing and validation of thermal solutions
Design and select thermal components for cooling systems
Work with engineers to implement thermal control algorithms
Benefits
Equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity
Supportive environment for applicants with disabilities
Development opportunities in advanced AI hardware innovation
Exposure to cutting-edge technology in high-performance computing
Engagement in meaningful work that impacts global challenges
Full Job Description
About the Role
We are looking for an experienced Thermal Engineer with 7+ years of experience in thermal management of IT hardware from chip/package to system levels. You'll work alongside experts in thermal, mechanical, electrical, software, and systems engineering to support the design, analysis, and validation of thermal solutions that ensure the reliability, efficiency, and longevity of mission-critical hardware. This position requires strong analytical skills, hands-on testing experience, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, cross-disciplinary environment. Key Responsibilities
Design and optimize thermal solutions for data center hardware, including chips, power modules, and system-level cooling architectures
Evaluate thermal performance at the chip, package, and board levels, addressing challenges related to power density, heat dissipation, and thermal interface materials
Perform thermal modeling and simulation to predict temperature profiles and identify thermal bottlenecks
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate thermal management strategies into hardware design, from concept to mass production
Support lab testing and validation, including the setup of thermal experiments, data acquisition, and troubleshooting of thermal performance issues
Design and select thermal components, such as cold plates, heat sinks, fans, vapor chambers, and thermal interface materials (TIMs)
Work with firmware and electrical engineers to define and implement thermal control algorithms for dynamic power and cooling management.
Conduct feasibility studies and trade-off analyses to evaluate cooling technologies and improve system thermal efficiency
Partner with suppliers and manufacturers to support the development of custom thermal components and ensure quality in production
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Engineering, or a related field (Master's preferred).
7+ years of industry experience in thermal design, simulation, and validation for IT hardware
Proficiency in thermal simulation software and CAD tools
Strong understanding of heat transfer principles, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics, with an emphasis on electronics cooling
Hands-on experience with thermal testing equipment, including thermocouples, infrared cameras, wind tunnels, and P-Q characterization setups
Experience in chip/package-level thermal analysis, including die-level heat spreading, and package thermal modeling
Ability to analyze experimental data, identify root causes of thermal issues, and implement corrective actions
Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to perform first-principles calculations to support design decisions.
Self-driven, detail-oriented, and able to work independently or collaboratively in cross-functional engineering environments
Preferred Skills
10+ years of industry experience in thermal design, simulation, and validation for IT hardware
Extensive experience with data center hardware or high-performance computing systems at scale
Practical experience in developing advanced cooling technologies
Familiarity with thermal control algorithms and dynamic thermal management techniques
Understanding of reliability testing, failure analysis, and thermal stress testing for electronic components
Experience working with suppliers and manufacturing partners to support thermal solution development and production ramp-up
To comply with U.S. export control laws and regulations, candidates for this role may need to meet certain legal status requirements as provided in those laws and regulations.
About OpenAI
OpenAI is an artificial intelligence research laboratory consisting of the for-profit corporation OpenAI LP and its parent company, the non-profit OpenAI Inc. The company was founded in 2015 by a group of technology leaders, including Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, Ilya Sutskever, and John Schulman. OpenAI's mission is to develop and promote friendly AI for the betterment of humanity. The company has developed a number of cutting-edge AI technologies, including GPT-3, a language processing system that can generate human-like text. OpenAI has received funding from a number of high-profile investors, including LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and venture capitalist Peter Thiel.
