Hardware Thermal Engineer

Meta; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 144,000 - 204,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Meta's Thermal Hardware Team seeks a Hardware Thermal Engineer to own the thermal design and optimization for Meta's server hardware and advanced packaging. You will solve heat transfer problems, develop test plans, and drive verification across components and systems.

The role requires hands-on lab work, data analysis, and collaboration with vendors to deliver scalable cooling solutions for large-scale deployments. This position offers strong growth in end-to-end thermal leadership at Meta.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with 6+ years in thermal design for servers or hardware.
• Experience with CFD/thermal simulation tools for optimizing cooling design.
• Hands-on with lab equipment for thermal validation and troubleshooting.
• Experience designing heat sinks and fan speed control, and reading 3D CAD schematics.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with design teams to ensure thermal kit design from component to system.
• Develop test plans to measure thermal performance of hardware and cooling tech.
• Model and simulate thermodynamics using CFD tools for system-level analysis.
• Lead external vendors on design, test and production activities.

Skills

Thermal design

CFD tools

Heat transfer

Data center cooling

Thermal validation

Vendor management

Education

B.S. Mechanical Engineering

MS/PhD in thermal discipline

Tools

Flotherm

Icepak

Future Facilities

Job description

You will be an integral member of the Thermal Hardware Team, responsible for owning thermal design and optimization for new hardware and evaluating thermal technology. The engineer will be responsible for solving heat transfer problems occurring in complex subcomponents or full hardware systems, using comprehensive thermal design fundamentals and analytical tools, and hands on execution of hardware validation. You would have a solid grasp of thermal fundamentals, and work with our team, partners and vendors and lead the thermal design of a program. You will adapt/learn quickly, and work collaboratively across multi-disciplinary teams. This role is a great opportunity for you to learn end-to-end thermal aspects of hardware: from thermal design for systems, to DC environments while leveraging their experience in driving thermal programs from start to finish. This includes getting involved in Thermal technology advancement, hands‑on platform design, lab test development and thermal operational support. Doing so with a scalable and reliable methodology in mind to help set the direction for the team.

Hardware Thermal Engineer Responsibilities:

• Engage with the Hardware Design team to ensure proper thermal kit design from component to system and with the Data Center Operations team to ensure smooth product deployment
• Develop and execute test plans to measure thermal performance/efficiency of hardware and thermal technologies. Quantitatively simulate and analyze hardware cooling schemes
• Design and investigate cutting‑edge thermal cooling solutions for advanced hardware systems for large scale deployment. Balance trade offs between design, cost, power and other critical parameters
• Create analytical and numerical models using various Computational Fluid Dynamics tools or relevant simulation tools to describe system thermodynamics and heat transfer
• Engage and lead external vendors including ODM and component vendors on design, test and production
• Develop and publish case studies/technical papers describing thermal analysis of cooling systems and technologies
• Establish the parameters for thermal design/testing, and correlation of the design/test results in order to model predictions

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and/or with 6+ years relevant experience in thermal design related to server/hardware or advanced packaging
• Experienced with computational thermal simulation software, such as Flotherm/Future Facilities/Icepak used for optimizing hardware cooling design
• Experience using lab equipment such as data acquisition systems, air flow chambers, and environmental chambers for thermal validation and troubleshooting
• Experience in designing and optimizing thermal cooling solutions, such as custom‑made heat sink designs, and/or fan speed control algorithms
• Experience to interpret/create mechanical system schematics by using 3D Computer‑Aided Design (CAD) tool

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience to create mathematical, computational and numerical models of industrial cooling systems, using MATLAB or comparable tools
• Experience in Unix / Linux environment and/or familiarity with scripting and coding in python
• Familiarity with data center cooling system designs
• 6+ years relevant experience in thermal design related to advanced cooling solutions
• Familiarity with design and optimization of control systems for components such as fans or pumps
• M.S./Ph.D. in relevant thermal discipline
• Familiarity with custom thermal solutions including heat sinks, cold plates, and Thermal Interface Materials (TIM) materials for use in hardware systems
• Experience delivering a thermal program from inception/ideation to deployment
• Experience in manufacturing processes such as Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA)

About Meta:

Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.

Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.

Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at [e-mail].

$144,000/year to $204,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits

Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.