ENGINEER - RESEARCH ENGINEER - Thermal Engineer

Southwest Research Institute; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio is seeking a Thermal Engineer to provide engineering support for research projects on thermal systems. The role involves leading bench-scale experiments, developing LabVIEW-based data systems, optimizing thermal management designs, and managing technical projects. Candidates should have a Master's or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, and 0-5 years of experience in relevant thermal roles. This position offers opportunities to work on innovative solutions within government and industry sectors.

Qualifications

• Dissertation or thesis related to thermal management design in data centers, or HVAC.
• 0-5 years of experience in a thermal engineering role.
• 1 year of experience if thesis is unrelated.

Responsibilities

• Lead thermal-fluid experiments with flow loop designs.
• Develop LabVIEW-based data acquisition and control systems.
• Design thermal management systems using analytical methods.
• Manage concurrent technical projects including documentation and performance.
• Support proposal development and customer engagement.

Skills

LabVIEW

Thermal management design

Data acquisition

CFD tools

MATLAB

Python

Education

Masters or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

ANSYS Fluent

STAR-CCM+

Job description

ENGINEER - RESEARCH ENGINEER - Thermal Engineer

18-01598

Who We Are:

We are a collaborative, agile team of engineers within Southwest Research Institute dedicated to advancing science and applying technology for the benefit of government and industry. We develop next-generation thermal and fluid systems across data center cooling, energy and power, aerospace, aviation, and defense—delivering objective, high-impact solutions to complex engineering challenges.

Objectives of this Role:

• Provide engineering support for research projects on thermal systems involving heat transfer and complex fluid phenomena.
• Topic areas include data center cooling, space thermal management, electronics cooling, HVAC and other energy/water nexus topics.
• Lead experimental research projects in a laboratory setting.
• Provide design solutions for thermal management systems and/or fluid systems using analytical and computational approaches.
• Develop innovative solutions for commercial and government clients on the world’s challenges in the energy-water nexus.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

• Lead bench- and pilot-scale thermal-fluid experiments, including design of flow loops; integration of pumps, heat exchangers, cold plates, chillers, CDUs; installation of temperature/pressure/flow instrumentation; and commissioning of safe, fully integrated test systems.
• Develop and operate LabVIEW-based data acquisition and control systems; automate test sequences; monitor performance in real time; and conduct data reduction, analysis, visualization, and uncertainty quantification using MATLAB and/or Python.
• Design and optimize thermal management and fluid systems using first principles, analytical methods, and CFD tools (e.g., ANSYS Fluent, STAR-CCM+); validate models with experimental data for data centers, space systems, electronics cooling, HVAC, and energy-water applications.
• Manage multiple concurrent technical projects, including planning, budgeting, scheduling, documentation, and technical/financial performance; prepare test plans and reports; present results to stakeholders and at national/international conferences.
• Apply relevant standards (e.g., ASHRAE, AHRI) to design and testing; communicate complex findings effectively; support proposal development and customer engagement; identify new research opportunities; and maintain safe laboratory operations.

Requirements:

• Requires a Masters or a PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 0-5 years: Dissertation or thesis must be related to one of the following fields: thermal management design in data center cooling, space thermal fluids, electronics cooling, HVAC, or energy-water systems.
• 1 years: For those with unrelated dissertation or thesis, 1 year of industry experience in a thermal engineering role is required.
• Experience in LabVIEW for data acquisition and control and CFD tools (e.g., ANSYS Fluent, STAR-CCM+) for modeling and optimization is preferred.

Special Requirements:

Must be a U.S. person (i.e., U.S. citizen, non-U.S. citizen national, lawful permanent resident, asylee, or refugee) due to ITAR work in section.

For benefits information at our San Antonio location, click here .
For benefits information at all other locations, click here .

An Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and veteran status.