Associate Principal Engineer, Mechanical Engineering

Flex; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Flex is seeking an Associate Principal Engineer, Mechanical Engineering in Austin, TX to lead mechanical architecture for AI infrastructure platforms, including racks, enclosures, and cooling systems. You will collaborate with Systems, Electrical, Software, and Manufacturing teams to deliver scalable, reliable hardware.

You will mentor engineers, drive design verification, support manufacturing readiness, and influence engineering standards across programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• At least 10 years of experience in mechanical engineering or hardware design.
• Experience with rack systems, liquid cooling, and modular infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical architecture development for AI infrastructure platforms including racks and enclosures.
• Define mechanical requirements, tolerances, and interface specifications.
• Perform structural analysis, reliability assessments, and DFA/DFM reviews.
• Mentor engineers and coordinate with cross-functional teams to resolve integration challenges.
• Drive design verification, validation activities, and manufacturing readiness.

Skills

Mechanical Design

Thermal Management

Structural Analysis

Leadership

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Flex is the diversified manufacturing partner of choice that helps market-leading brands design, build and deliver innovative products that improve the world. A career at Flex offers the opportunity to make a difference and invest in your growth in a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative environment. If you are excited about a role but don't meet every bullet point, we encourage you to apply and join us to create the extraordinary.

Flex intends to spin off its Cloud and Power Infrastructure segment into a new, independent publicly traded company, which we’re calling SpinCo, until the name is unveiled. The spin is planned for Q1 2027. If the intended spin occurs, this role will support SpinCo, which will focus on critical digital infrastructure, delivering end-to-end power and thermal management solutions for AI data centers and other mission-critical applications.

To support our extraordinary teams who build great products and contribute to our growth, we’re looking to add a Associate Principal Engineer, Mechanical Engineering located in Austin, TX.

Reporting to the Chief Technology Officer, the Associate Principal Engineer, Mechanical Engineering will serve as a technical leader responsible for the mechanical architecture, design, analysis, validation, and implementation of next-generation AI infrastructure platforms. This role drives the development of scalable, manufacturable, and reliable infrastructure solutions from concept and prototype through validation, manufacturing readiness, and deployment. The position provides engineering leadership across rack systems, enclosures, thermal-mechanical integration, liquid cooling, structural design, and modular infrastructure platforms while influencing technology strategy and engineering standards across multiple programs and functions.

What a typical day looks like:

• Lead mechanical architecture development for AI infrastructure platforms, including racks, enclosures, chassis, structural systems, and modular infrastructure solutions.
• Design and integrate mechanical systems supporting liquid cooling, power distribution, compute platforms, networking, controls, cable management, and serviceability requirements.
• Define mechanical requirements, interface specifications, design standards, tolerance models, and reusable platform architectures.
• Lead structural analysis, design trade studies, reliability assessments, DFM/DFA reviews, and thermal-mechanical optimization initiatives.
• Partner with Systems, Electrical, Cooling, Software, Validation, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and supplier teams to resolve integration challenges and optimize platform performance.
• Drive prototype builds, design verification, validation activities, manufacturing readiness reviews, field deployment support, and failure analysis investigations.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, materials, and manufacturing methods while mentoring engineering teams and advancing mechanical engineering best practices across the organization.

The experience we’re looking to add to our team:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related engineering discipline; Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, infrastructure engineering, product development, or complex hardware system design environments.
• Proven experience leading mechanical designs from requirements through concept development, validation, manufacturing readiness, and deployment.
• Strong expertise in mechanical architecture, structural design, thermal-mechanical integration, DFM/DFA, reliability engineering, and complex electromechanical systems.
• Experience with rack systems, enclosures, liquid cooling integration, power infrastructure interfaces, modular systems, and serviceability-focused design.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional engineering initiatives, influencing technical decisions, and resolving complex system-level integration challenges.
• Excellent customer-facing, leadership, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to mentor engineers and drive technical excellence across multiple programs.

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Flex is an Equal Opportunity Employer and employment selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. We do not discriminate based on: age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, pregnancy status, or any other status protected by law. We're happy to provide reasonable accommodations to those with a disability for assistance in the application process. Please email [e-mail] and we'll discuss your specific situation and next steps (NOTE: this email does not accept or consider resumes or applications. This is only for disability assistance. To be considered for a position at Flex, you must complete the application process first).