Mechanical Engineer

KYOCERA SLD Laser, Inc; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 93,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Kyocera SLD Laser, Inc. in Tucson, AZ is seeking a Mechanical Engineer with strong thermal expertise to support design, development and reliability of high-performance laser packaging.

You will lead thermal modeling, select materials, and drive solder attach and epoxy processes for robust assemblies. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with SolidWorks Simulation, ANSYS or COMSOL, and a solid understanding of heat transfer, TIMs, and hermetic packages.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• 3-8+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Strong understanding of heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation) and how to model it.
• Hands-on experience with thermal simulation tools (SolidWorks Simulation, ANSYS, COMSOL).
• Experience with solder attach processes (die attach, SMT, reflow) and related reliability concerns.
• Knowledge of epoxies/adhesives, hermetic packages, and TIMs.
• Familiarity with lab testing and instrumentation (thermocouples, IR cameras).

Responsibilities

• Perform thermal simulations (steady-state and transient) to optimize product performance.
• Develop and validate thermal models using SolidWorks Simulation, Flow Simulation, ANSYS, or COMSOL.
• Design and evaluate thermal management solutions (heat sinks, TIMs, interfaces).
• Lead or support solder attach process development and reflow profiles.
• Support wire bond and epoxy material selection for reliability and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure design integration and validation.

Skills

Heat transfer

Thermal simulation

SolidWorks Simulation

Solder attach processes

Thermal management

Data analysis

DFM/DFR

Thermal modeling

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks Simulation

SolidWorks Flow Simulation

ANSYS

COMSOL

Job description

KYOCERA SLD Laser, Inc. (KSLD) is a global leader in thecommercialization of gallium nitride (GaN) based laser light sources.As a wholly owned subsidiary of KYOCERA Corporation, KSLD combinesadvanced laser innovation with the strength, scale, and manufacturingexcellence of a global technology leader.

KSLD develops and manufactures high performance LaserLight™ solutionsengineered to deliver exceptional brightness, efficiency, andreliability. Our GaN laser technologies enable a wide range ofapplications, including automotive and mobility, specialty andportable lighting, projection and AR/VR displays, biomedicalinstrumentation, industrial imaging, and emerging communicationtechnologies such as LiFi. With vertically integrated capabilities anddeep technical expertise, KSLD collaborates closely with customers todeliver application specific laser solutions, accelerating developmenttimelines from concept through production. The company operatesadvanced R&D and manufacturing facilities in Santa Barbara, CA andFremont, CA, supporting both innovation and high volume manufacturing needs.

KSLD is ISO 9001 certified and IATF 16949 compliant for automotiveapplications, and its products meet rigorous UL and IEC safetystandards, reflecting a strong commitment to quality, safety, and reliability.

Recognized by Fortune magazine’s Best Workplaces in Manufacturing& Production™, KSLD fosters an employee centric culture built oncollaboration, technical excellence, and continuous innovation. Guidedby a mission to engineer the future of light, KSLD develops laserbased solutions that power next generation mobility, consumer,specialty lighting, and industrial technologies.

KSLD will continue to pioneer the future of light by developing,manufacturing and marketing innovative laser based products with highefficiency and luminance for mobility, specialty lighting, consumer,and industrial applications.

We are seeking a highly motivated Mechanical Engineer withstrong expertise in thermal and thermal mechanical simulations,solder materials and attach processes, wire bond process andepoxy materials to support the design, development, andreliability of advanced products. This role will focus onthermal management, materials selection, and process developmentto ensure robust performance and manufacturability.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with thermalmodeling tools, a deep understanding of heat transfer, andpractical knowledge of soldering and adhesive systems used inhigh-performance assemblies.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform thermal simulations and analyses (steady-state andtransient) to optimize product performance and reliability
• Develop and validate thermal models using tools of SolidworksSimulation (FEA), Solidworks Flow Simulation (CFD) or equivalenttools experiences, such as ANSYS, COSMCOL etc.
• Design and evaluate thermal management solutions (heat sinks,interfaces, TIMs, cooling strategies)
• Lead or support solder attach process development, includingdie attach, component attach, and reflow processes
• Support wire bond process development by defining tools,wires and process parameters to meet product performance andreliability requirements.
• Select and qualify epoxies and adhesive materials forstructural bonding, encapsulation, and thermal interface applications
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (electrical,materials, manufacturing, reliability) to ensure design integration.
• Conduct failure analysis and root cause investigations, witha focus on thermal and material-related issues
• Define and execute design validation tests (DVT), includingthermal cycling, shock, and environmental testing
• Support manufacturing scale-up by developing processspecifications, work instructions, and quality criteria
• Analyze test data and provide recommendations for design andprocess improvements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in **Mechanical Engineering**or related field
• 3-8+ years of relevant industry experience
• Strong understanding of heat transfer principles (conduction,convection, radiation) and key factors of a real thermal systemto be able to convert it to a solvable model and get a desiredaccurate result.
• Hands-on experience with thermal simulation tools (e.g.,Solidworks Simulation, SolidWorks Flow Simulation, ANSYS, COMSOL…)
• Experience with solder attach processes (die attach, SMT,reflow profiles, reliability concerns such as intermetalliccompound formation, voiding, fatigue)
• Knowledge of epoxies and adhesives, including materialproperties, curing mechanisms, and application methods
• Knowledge of hermetic packages, hermeticity definition, aswell as how to design it, manufacture it and test it.
• Familiarity with thermal interface materials (TIMs) andpackaging concepts
• Experience with lab testing and instrumentation(thermocouples, IR cameras, data acquisition)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in semiconductor packaging, optoelectronics, orhigh-power electronics
• Knowledge of DFM (Design for Manufacturability) and DFR(Design for Reliability)
• Background in finite element analysis (FEA) for structuraland thermo-mechanical modeling
• Understanding of materials reliability, including CTEmismatch, fatigue, and creep
• Experience with failure analysis techniques(cross-sectioning, microscopy)
• Familiarity with industry standards (MIL, ISO, IATF)
• Programming or scripting skills (Python, MATLAB, JMP) fordata analysis
• Experience working in a fast-paced, cross-functionaldevelopment environment
• Strong technical depth in thermal and materials engineering
• Ability to translate simulation results into practical design improvements
• Effective communication and collaboration skills
• Detail-oriented with a focus on quality and reliability
• Self-driven and capable of managing multiple priorities

The full-time base salary range for the Mechanical Engineerposition is $93,000 to $110,000 per annum. The range reflectsthe minimum and maximum possible base salary for new hires forthe role, based on the advertised location. Individual pay isdetermined by several factors including work location,job-related skills, experience, and relevant education andtraining. For more information about the base salary rangeapplicable to the work location, talk to the recruiter.

Kyocera SLD Laser, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We donot discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex(including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medicalconditions), gender identity, gender expression, nationalorigin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mentaldisability, legally protected medical condition, military orveteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexualorientation, genetic information, or any other basis protectedby local, state, or federal laws

The above statements are intended to describe the generalnature and level of work being performed by people assigned tothis job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of allresponsibilities, duties, and requirements of personnel as classified.

Medical, Dental, Vision and 401k